Saturday, January 31, 2009
Aikido for 01/31/2009
Today at Aikido, Jake and I started off with some bokken tenkan and irmi exercises. We then worked on various bokken waza techniques starting with tenkan and including sankyo, kotegashi, ikkyo, and irminage. We played around the mai-hai or spacing while swiching to open-hand (tachi-waza) techniques. We then worked on two bokken kata #3. I have only practiced these katas a couple of times many years ago so we spent a lot of time breaking down the technique so I can understand the specific movement of both uke and nage in the kata. There were a lot of kids today so at the end of class we finished off with randori (freestyle) from shomenuchi and yokumenchi attacks by uke. I only lasted about three minutes after attacking Jake for about four minutes.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Aikido for 01/28/2009
Last night Jake, I, and a new student Nate, practiced for the full hour. After warm-up and beginning ukemi practice, we practiced the following techniques:
- katatetori katennage omote
- katatetori irmi-style kokunage
- katatetori kokunage-style backstretch
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Aikido for 01/26/2009
Last night Jake, Joey, and two new female students came to the 6:30 Aikido class. After doing a quick introduction and some basic wrists, legs, and joints warm-ups, we did tenkan and irmi warm-up exercises. We then worked on forward ukemi and then Jake had to leave early. We finished up doing back ukemi but for the new students, ukemi was done from a seated position.
The only technique we worked on was katatetori ikkyo omote opening before ending the class with seated kokyu-ho exercise. Wednesday night Jake might be the only student but everyone may show up this weekend at the Gunnison Community Center. I also need to finish up a draft of the Aikido class flyer to send out around town for Santos Sensei visit February 19th.
The only technique we worked on was katatetori ikkyo omote opening before ending the class with seated kokyu-ho exercise. Wednesday night Jake might be the only student but everyone may show up this weekend at the Gunnison Community Center. I also need to finish up a draft of the Aikido class flyer to send out around town for Santos Sensei visit February 19th.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Aikido for 01/24/2008
Yesterday Jake and I practiced at the Gunnison Community Center from 2:00 - 3:15. After warming-up, we practiced the following techniques:
We then worked on some ukemi. On Monday, Jake will only be able to practice for a 1/2 hour. Joey said he would be there so I am looking forward to this class.
- Katatetori nikkyo ura (using Doran Sensei's opening)
- Katatetori sankyo omote and ura (using Doran Sensei's opening)
- Katatetori irminage (using Doran Sensei's opening)
- Katatetori kokunage omote and ura
- Randori (multiple attacks) katateori
We then worked on some ukemi. On Monday, Jake will only be able to practice for a 1/2 hour. Joey said he would be there so I am looking forward to this class.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Aikido for 01/21/2009
Last night Jake and I had a shortened class because he had to leave early for a class project. None of the other students showed up so I was able to show Jake some of the things I learned from the Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar. The first new addition was including an irmi exercise along with tenkan exercise at the beginning of the class. I tried to incorporated something I learned from each Shihan so...
- From Ikeda Sensei - we worked on morotetori kokyu ho leading with the elbow and I also worked with Jake on establishing unity with uke that Ikeda Sensei emphasized in his classes
- From Doran Sensei - we worked on the direct, palm-up opening he taught from katatetori and yokomenuchi attacks. We just did an ikkyo opening when practicing but most of the other techniques also flow from this opening as well.
- From Tissier Sensei - from katatetori, we practiced moving to each major point in clean and crisp fashion being conscious of each point and the transition between the points. We ended up doing a katatetori kaitenage omote technique.
(The winter graphic comes via a BoingBoing post of public-domain children's graphic site of http://www.grandmasgraphics.com/)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar Day 5
This morning was the last day of classes and Ikeda Sensei started off with a fifty minute abbreviated class focusing on connecting with uke we worked on a varied of katatetori and kosadori techniques following his advice to move one's center. This seminar I learned some useful approaches to moving a strong uke based on moving my center and Ikeda Sensei consistently emphasised unity between uke and nage. Ikeda Sensei talked about how as the older master teachers die off or cannot practice, us younger Aikido practitioners need to carry this legacy forward to the next generations. I too feel a generational obligation to pass what I have learned practicing Aikido that becomes more apprant to me as I get older myself. I hope to have at least thirty more years of practicing Aikido (hopefully more) and I to absorb as much as I can from these teachers like Ikeda Sensei, Doran Sensei, and Tissier Sensei.
Doran Sensei taught the second class and we again worked on step-back with palm-up thrust that can be used for katatetori, kosadori, and yokomenuchi attacks. (I am writing this blog using the San Diego airport free wifi highly recommended) Doran Sensei is having a special 50 years of practicing Aikido seminar near San Francisco in November and I want to attend.
The last class was taught by Tissier Sensei and a couple of important points he worked on where ushiro techniques such as ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, and kotegoshi. In the opening movement for ushiro nage steps to the side, making uke reach to grab the other hand used for ushiro ryokatatetori. An interesting variation we practiced was uke grabing both shoulders from behind and get into ikkyo, naga rotates a shoulder forward to create space underneth the arm.
I really enjoyed these past few days practicing Aikido. I learned some important additions to my approach to Aikido but more importantly, I made a number of new friends and got to know the Senseis better who teach at the highest level of Aikido here in the United States and in Europe. My first flight leaves at 5:05 and I should arrive in Gunnison tonight a little after ten p.m. I hopefully will see many of my Aikido friends at July's Summer Camp in the Rockies.
Doran Sensei taught the second class and we again worked on step-back with palm-up thrust that can be used for katatetori, kosadori, and yokomenuchi attacks. (I am writing this blog using the San Diego airport free wifi highly recommended) Doran Sensei is having a special 50 years of practicing Aikido seminar near San Francisco in November and I want to attend.
The last class was taught by Tissier Sensei and a couple of important points he worked on where ushiro techniques such as ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, and kotegoshi. In the opening movement for ushiro nage steps to the side, making uke reach to grab the other hand used for ushiro ryokatatetori. An interesting variation we practiced was uke grabing both shoulders from behind and get into ikkyo, naga rotates a shoulder forward to create space underneth the arm.
I really enjoyed these past few days practicing Aikido. I learned some important additions to my approach to Aikido but more importantly, I made a number of new friends and got to know the Senseis better who teach at the highest level of Aikido here in the United States and in Europe. My first flight leaves at 5:05 and I should arrive in Gunnison tonight a little after ten p.m. I hopefully will see many of my Aikido friends at July's Summer Camp in the Rockies.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar Day 4
After last night's excess alcohol consumption, I didn't make it the first class at 8:45. I did make myself do the wash so that I have a clean gi for the rest of the seminar.
The first class was taught by Ikeda Sensei. We worked more on establishing a connection with uke as he kept emphasis that you need to establish unity with uke before performing the techniques. If you are stronger than uke, one can cheat your way through various techniques but there is always someone stronger, someone you can stop the techique.
I took a long nap before returning for Tissier Sensei's class. Right now my brain still hurts and I don't remember the specifics of the techniques but we continued breaking down the techniques into major points and I noticed how important it is to hit each point and concentrate on moving from point to major point through-out the techniques.
The final class I attended today was Doran Sensei's class. We spent the class working on various techiques from morotori. One woman I practiced with really helped me find the right position and connection to do an ikkyo. Good stuff. I am now leaving for a dinner at Todai. I have to pack when I get back as I need to check-out when I leave in the morning.
The first class was taught by Ikeda Sensei. We worked more on establishing a connection with uke as he kept emphasis that you need to establish unity with uke before performing the techniques. If you are stronger than uke, one can cheat your way through various techniques but there is always someone stronger, someone you can stop the techique.
I took a long nap before returning for Tissier Sensei's class. Right now my brain still hurts and I don't remember the specifics of the techniques but we continued breaking down the techniques into major points and I noticed how important it is to hit each point and concentrate on moving from point to major point through-out the techniques.
The final class I attended today was Doran Sensei's class. We spent the class working on various techiques from morotori. One woman I practiced with really helped me find the right position and connection to do an ikkyo. Good stuff. I am now leaving for a dinner at Todai. I have to pack when I get back as I need to check-out when I leave in the morning.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar Day 3
The morning's first class was taught by Tagaguchi Sensei. He spent about half of the class having us practicing a wide range of different stretches that have the same opening as the more traditional techniques we normally practice.
The second class was taught by Tissier Sensei. While I don't all of the specific details from his class (right now I am still buzzed from the nice dinner I had with my cousin Jason and his wife Jody and the following drinking I did at the bar, [is there a specific term for blogging while drunk?]) but Tissier Sensei did some great koshunages with his ukes that were great to watch.
Anyone who thinks the French are weak (or worse terms) are ignorant.
The third class was taught by Doran Sensei and I learned some different approaches to a variety of techniques with a short cut to the throat that really opens up a lot of different techiques.
The final class I attended last night was taught by Ikeda Sensei and my take-away is that I need to work on my unity with uke.
I need to get to sleep although I might not make the first class if I have a hang-over that might be coming.
The second class was taught by Tissier Sensei. While I don't all of the specific details from his class (right now I am still buzzed from the nice dinner I had with my cousin Jason and his wife Jody and the following drinking I did at the bar, [is there a specific term for blogging while drunk?]) but Tissier Sensei did some great koshunages with his ukes that were great to watch.
Anyone who thinks the French are weak (or worse terms) are ignorant.
The third class was taught by Doran Sensei and I learned some different approaches to a variety of techniques with a short cut to the throat that really opens up a lot of different techiques.
The final class I attended last night was taught by Ikeda Sensei and my take-away is that I need to work on my unity with uke.
I need to get to sleep although I might not make the first class if I have a hang-over that might be coming.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar Day 2
This morning the first guest instructor was Greg O'Connor Sensei from New Jersey.
In his one hour class we worked on a couple of new styles of katatetori kokyunages, one where
after doing a tenkan, nage keeps both hands together, more like dribbling a basketball.
Then second 1 and 1/2 hour class was taught by Doran Sensei. We worked on kosadori kokyunage,
katatetori ikkyo, katatetori sankyo, and katatetori shinoage. Doran Sensei said something a
number of interesting things, one that I remember is that nage should always try to take
his partner's balance whenever possible. Often in our training, we don't fully feel all of the
opportunities to take uke's balance and that can cause problems with nage.
There was a nice two and a half hour break for lunch. I ate a couple of tacos and then took a twenty minute nap. When I woke up, I was a lot more sore than when I fell asleep.
The third class was taught by Ikeda Sensei. During his class, he emphasized establishing unity with uke before preforming the technique. If you don't establish a connection with uke it becomes a struggle with pure power and usually the stronger person will dominate. Ikeda Sensei said that one reason we study a martial art is overcome the advantage of a dominate strength is to use technique to overcome these advantages. Ikeda Sensei had us work on establishing a union or connection with uke in our techniques. This is harder than it sounds because it is my natural inclination to use my muscle instead of moving from your center after connecting with uke.
The forth class was taught by Tissier Sensei. He went through ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, and gokyu, with a different focus than the other instructors for the day. When teaching Aikido, we break down the technique in discrete steps, with each step a major point. Tissier Sensei we need to master each step but that the challenge become one of concentration when transitioning between each step. We become better when we are able to transition between each step.
The final class of the day was taught by Choate Sensei. The class was more of extending ki and about opening up the joints of both uke and nage. I like how Choate Sensei extended his himself and was able to restrain uke through just the use of a finger.
All told, today was a great first full day of Aikido.
In his one hour class we worked on a couple of new styles of katatetori kokyunages, one where
after doing a tenkan, nage keeps both hands together, more like dribbling a basketball.
Then second 1 and 1/2 hour class was taught by Doran Sensei. We worked on kosadori kokyunage,
katatetori ikkyo, katatetori sankyo, and katatetori shinoage. Doran Sensei said something a
number of interesting things, one that I remember is that nage should always try to take
his partner's balance whenever possible. Often in our training, we don't fully feel all of the
opportunities to take uke's balance and that can cause problems with nage.
There was a nice two and a half hour break for lunch. I ate a couple of tacos and then took a twenty minute nap. When I woke up, I was a lot more sore than when I fell asleep.
The third class was taught by Ikeda Sensei. During his class, he emphasized establishing unity with uke before preforming the technique. If you don't establish a connection with uke it becomes a struggle with pure power and usually the stronger person will dominate. Ikeda Sensei said that one reason we study a martial art is overcome the advantage of a dominate strength is to use technique to overcome these advantages. Ikeda Sensei had us work on establishing a union or connection with uke in our techniques. This is harder than it sounds because it is my natural inclination to use my muscle instead of moving from your center after connecting with uke.
The forth class was taught by Tissier Sensei. He went through ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, and gokyu, with a different focus than the other instructors for the day. When teaching Aikido, we break down the technique in discrete steps, with each step a major point. Tissier Sensei we need to master each step but that the challenge become one of concentration when transitioning between each step. We become better when we are able to transition between each step.
The final class of the day was taught by Choate Sensei. The class was more of extending ki and about opening up the joints of both uke and nage. I like how Choate Sensei extended his himself and was able to restrain uke through just the use of a finger.
All told, today was a great first full day of Aikido.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar Day 1
I arrived in San Diego at around 12:30 Pacific time. I drove the rental car to the hotel, ate a late lunch, took a nap, and went to the first Aikido class that started at 6:00 p.m.
Ikeda Sensei started off with a short warm-up. He talked about the purpose of the seminar was not to keep techniques hidden but in the spirit of friendship and openness, allow everyone to ask questions of the visiting shihan and to internalize the teaching for oneself. Ikeda Sensei worked on connection between uke and nage and he didn't want uke to just pretend in their attack. When he was demostrating katatetori kokuho omote he made a small point that the power comes from the elbow and not the wrist or upper arm, we practice on the mat with the intention not harm but the technique is more brutal and pratical now that I realize the power comes from the elbow. Cool stuff.
Doran Sensei taught the second 40 minutes. He worked on ryotetori techniques including shihonage and a number of kokyuages. I focused on watching his footwork while he demostrated the techniques and how he got out of the way when attacked. His footwork was always sharp and solid, no wavering through-out the techniques he was demostrating at the time.
The final 40 minutes was taught by Tissier Sensei. He demostrated a number of ryotetori and katatetori techniques with a focus on shionoage. He and then went around and worked with various groups and often threw ukes with full breakfalls. I am looking foward to the rest of the seminar.
Just an aside, I got lost when I drove back from the dojo. I missed the turn, had to turn around a couple of times before finally finding the right street to my hotel. I talked to my cousin's wife and the three of us are planning to go out on Saturday for a few drinks.
Ikeda Sensei started off with a short warm-up. He talked about the purpose of the seminar was not to keep techniques hidden but in the spirit of friendship and openness, allow everyone to ask questions of the visiting shihan and to internalize the teaching for oneself. Ikeda Sensei worked on connection between uke and nage and he didn't want uke to just pretend in their attack. When he was demostrating katatetori kokuho omote he made a small point that the power comes from the elbow and not the wrist or upper arm, we practice on the mat with the intention not harm but the technique is more brutal and pratical now that I realize the power comes from the elbow. Cool stuff.
Doran Sensei taught the second 40 minutes. He worked on ryotetori techniques including shihonage and a number of kokyuages. I focused on watching his footwork while he demostrated the techniques and how he got out of the way when attacked. His footwork was always sharp and solid, no wavering through-out the techniques he was demostrating at the time.
The final 40 minutes was taught by Tissier Sensei. He demostrated a number of ryotetori and katatetori techniques with a focus on shionoage. He and then went around and worked with various groups and often threw ukes with full breakfalls. I am looking foward to the rest of the seminar.
Just an aside, I got lost when I drove back from the dojo. I missed the turn, had to turn around a couple of times before finally finding the right street to my hotel. I talked to my cousin's wife and the three of us are planning to go out on Saturday for a few drinks.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Aikido for 01/14/2009
Tonight Jake, a new student Brandon, and I practiced the following techniques after spending the first half of class on ukemi and warm-ups.
The techniques we practiced were:
The techniques we practiced were:
- Katatori kotegashi
- Katatori shiho-nage (omote)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Aikido for 01/12/2009
Last night's Aikido class was one of the largest yet (I realize going from one other person to three people is still very small) with Jake, Joey, and Hawk practicing.
We warmed up and because of the small size of the mats, we had to practice our front and back rolls in a line. We then practiced the following techniques:
I felt the two-week plus of not practicing. I only have Wednesday's night class before I will be practicing for an intensive four and half days at the Aikido Bridge Seminar. I am looking forward to my first San Diego Aikido seminar.
We warmed up and because of the small size of the mats, we had to practice our front and back rolls in a line. We then practiced the following techniques:
- Katate-dori ikkyo (gyaku-hanmi) (omote) and (ura)
- Shomenuchi iriminage
I felt the two-week plus of not practicing. I only have Wednesday's night class before I will be practicing for an intensive four and half days at the Aikido Bridge Seminar. I am looking forward to my first San Diego Aikido seminar.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Aikido update
With some guilt about this being my first post of 2009, I finished a new handout that I posted in the library and I plan to post around campus today and/or tomorrow. Here is a graphic of the handout:
Our first class is on Monday at 6:30. I am leaving for the Aikido Bridge Seminar next Thursday and I will be back in Gunnison on Monday night. The weather today is beautiful with not a single cloud in the sky when I came in this morning. Tomorrow is my 36th birthday and to celebrate I am having a physical in the morning!
Our first class is on Monday at 6:30. I am leaving for the Aikido Bridge Seminar next Thursday and I will be back in Gunnison on Monday night. The weather today is beautiful with not a single cloud in the sky when I came in this morning. Tomorrow is my 36th birthday and to celebrate I am having a physical in the morning!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jury Duty Cancelled, Back in Gunny, and Aikido classes
Yesterday I went in at noon to the Montrose Justice Center and found out that my grand jury duty had been canceled due to bad weather in Telluride and surrounding areas. I drove back to Gunnison and spent the day doing some chores around the cabin along with a quick trip to City Market. I purchased a young turkey that was on sale, so this weekend I'll have turkey to last for a while.
I went over to the Escalante Fitness Center here on campus and I talked to Nikole about teaching an Aikido class. Right now I'll be teaching Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights at 7:30. From going to no Aikido to three nights a week will be a big change in my activity level. I won't be getting paid but I will be getting a free Fitness Center membership for teaching. I plan on posting my lesson plans after each class for my own benefit and reference. I need to order a new gi. Good Stuff.
I went over to the Escalante Fitness Center here on campus and I talked to Nikole about teaching an Aikido class. Right now I'll be teaching Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights at 7:30. From going to no Aikido to three nights a week will be a big change in my activity level. I won't be getting paid but I will be getting a free Fitness Center membership for teaching. I plan on posting my lesson plans after each class for my own benefit and reference. I need to order a new gi. Good Stuff.
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