Thursday, July 30, 2009
Back to normal...
Tuesday afternoon I went home sick. I was coughing and my sinuses were running. I stayed home from work on Wednesday. Today I was feeling better and put in a full day. I haven't done any physical activity (running or otherwise). My goal is go running on Saturday just to make sure I fully kicked with summer cold.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Aikido Summer Camp 2009 - Day 7
Today is the last day of training for summer camp. Before class there was a photo op with all of the Sensei. Here is a candid photo of Ikeda Sensei, Murashige Sensei, and Saotome Sensei:
All four shihan taught for a half-hour class this morning. Ikeda Sensei taught the first class and he started off by saying that even before uke touches you, you should already be thinking of breaking up uke's mental or physical balance. To demostrate how to by establishing unity with one's uke, you can take their balance, Ikeda Sensei lay flat on the mat and was able to throw a 6+ ft uke by just moving his arm. Ikeda Sensei time and again shows in his own Aikido that it matter of balance and connection and not physical strength that allows a smaller person to throw even large people. We worked on kosadori ikkyo and kokyunage variations during his class. Here is a photo taken before class of Ikeda Sensei, my friend Steve, and myself:
The second class was taught by Doran Sensei. During Doran Sensei's class, we worked on kosadori iriminage and kotegashi. Doran Sensei demonstrated an kosadori iriminage soto variation that I don't remember practicing before. By nage keeping his or her hand on the outside of uke's grabbing hand, when nage goes under the uke's extended arm, the iriminage is right there to throw uke. The same movement was used for the kotegashi technique and any basic technique could be used from this opening.
Murashige Sensei taught the third 30 minute class. He started off with a kokyunage from tsuki. The second kokyunage from tsuki involved sliding off to the side and irimi movement and then quick atemi to uke's face. I was very lucky to partner up with George Ledyard Sensei of Aikido Eastside from Bellevue, WA. Ledyard Sensei showed showed me a number of weak areas in my technique and showed how by just moving the forward shoulder out of the way, even when a very fast punch is coming, you don't get hit. He also told me I need to be mindful of what my hands are doing at the end of the technique, that if I am positioned low, to place my hand on uke's near hip to disrupt uke's balance. Ledyard Sensei made me attack him at 85-90% speed and he likewise attacked me with the same intensity. It is these small interactions that improve my Aikido. I really enjoyed Murashige Sensei through-out summer camp and here is a photo of Murashige Sensei and me taken before class:
Saotome Sensei taught the final class and his focus was on maintaining a peaceful attitude through-out the technique. A very interesting comment Saotome Sensei made was that even after a violent encounter, you should be at peace and relaxed. Normally that is the complete opposite, when recovering, surviving, or celebrating a violent encounter, you normally are not at peace but what I believe the point that Saotome Sensei was making that we should cultivate a relaxed and peaceful attitude at all times and not just when the situation is not violent. He related how O'Sensei was always peaceful and tranquil during practice, and by doing so, was able to keep his posture and presence. We practiced a number of techniques that I tried to take this instruction in the practice of the class with my partners. Here is a photo of Saotome Sensei and I before class:
After all of the classes were finished, I helped load the mats in the truck and now I am packing up and getting ready to leave for home tomorrow morning. During this year's summer camp, I am much more reflective and appreciative of the honor and opportunity it is to train and learn from so many excellent martial artists. I feel I have a deeper understanding of the art and better application of modern budo in my own life. I am very lucky.
All four shihan taught for a half-hour class this morning. Ikeda Sensei taught the first class and he started off by saying that even before uke touches you, you should already be thinking of breaking up uke's mental or physical balance. To demostrate how to by establishing unity with one's uke, you can take their balance, Ikeda Sensei lay flat on the mat and was able to throw a 6+ ft uke by just moving his arm. Ikeda Sensei time and again shows in his own Aikido that it matter of balance and connection and not physical strength that allows a smaller person to throw even large people. We worked on kosadori ikkyo and kokyunage variations during his class. Here is a photo taken before class of Ikeda Sensei, my friend Steve, and myself:
The second class was taught by Doran Sensei. During Doran Sensei's class, we worked on kosadori iriminage and kotegashi. Doran Sensei demonstrated an kosadori iriminage soto variation that I don't remember practicing before. By nage keeping his or her hand on the outside of uke's grabbing hand, when nage goes under the uke's extended arm, the iriminage is right there to throw uke. The same movement was used for the kotegashi technique and any basic technique could be used from this opening.
Murashige Sensei taught the third 30 minute class. He started off with a kokyunage from tsuki. The second kokyunage from tsuki involved sliding off to the side and irimi movement and then quick atemi to uke's face. I was very lucky to partner up with George Ledyard Sensei of Aikido Eastside from Bellevue, WA. Ledyard Sensei showed showed me a number of weak areas in my technique and showed how by just moving the forward shoulder out of the way, even when a very fast punch is coming, you don't get hit. He also told me I need to be mindful of what my hands are doing at the end of the technique, that if I am positioned low, to place my hand on uke's near hip to disrupt uke's balance. Ledyard Sensei made me attack him at 85-90% speed and he likewise attacked me with the same intensity. It is these small interactions that improve my Aikido. I really enjoyed Murashige Sensei through-out summer camp and here is a photo of Murashige Sensei and me taken before class:
Saotome Sensei taught the final class and his focus was on maintaining a peaceful attitude through-out the technique. A very interesting comment Saotome Sensei made was that even after a violent encounter, you should be at peace and relaxed. Normally that is the complete opposite, when recovering, surviving, or celebrating a violent encounter, you normally are not at peace but what I believe the point that Saotome Sensei was making that we should cultivate a relaxed and peaceful attitude at all times and not just when the situation is not violent. He related how O'Sensei was always peaceful and tranquil during practice, and by doing so, was able to keep his posture and presence. We practiced a number of techniques that I tried to take this instruction in the practice of the class with my partners. Here is a photo of Saotome Sensei and I before class:
After all of the classes were finished, I helped load the mats in the truck and now I am packing up and getting ready to leave for home tomorrow morning. During this year's summer camp, I am much more reflective and appreciative of the honor and opportunity it is to train and learn from so many excellent martial artists. I feel I have a deeper understanding of the art and better application of modern budo in my own life. I am very lucky.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Aikido Summer Camp 2009 - Day 6
This morning's first class was taught by Whited Sensei from Chicago Aikikai. After warming-up, Whited Sensei had us practice various kokyunages with very sharp ukemi. From her demostrations and explaniations, her karate background is clearly evident with the types of direct punches and kicks that she incorpates into her Aikido. My mood was off for her class, although I felt fine coming out of 25-minutes of Zen sitting, I really wasn't prepared for the hard style Whited Sensei was teaching. It was a good class but not really my style first thing in the morning.
The second class was Saotome Sensei's outdoors bokken practice. During the paired bokken kata techniques, Saotome Sensei had nage always started with the bokken sheathed and then responded to uke's attack either before uke's sword actually left the scabbard. A couple of the technqiues we practiced involved ducking under uke's sword yokomen strike to the neck and then nage withdrawing the bokken to upward groin cut uke from the bottom, the second is drawing the sword
Doran Sensei taught the third class on the indoors mat. We spent most of the class practicing katatetori katennage uchi and soto (inside and outside) omote and ura variations. Due to the density of people on the mat, most of the time I didn't actual throw my partner but practiced the technique up to the point of throwing uke. I learned some new katennage variations and the last technique of class was a surawaza koshunage (breath throw).
The forth class was taught by Saotome Sensei. Saotome Sensei started class by telling us a story about O'Sensei. When doing iriminage, O'Sensei would not touch uke but still uke would follow him when O'Sensei did a tenkan. Saotome Sensei wondered why uke would follow and just continue straight. Saotome Sensei said that when a human being is focused on the goal, they will narrow their focus to achieve their goal which is different from a machine that continues straight and ignores intention of the attacker. We then practiced iriminage in a number of different variations and continued to on an exercise where four ukes lined up behind each other and nage had to tenkan and try to do iriminage on the whole line. While Saotome Sensei was able to easily throw all of the ukes, when I was doing the exercise, I felt lucky to break the balance of all four of the ukes. We also worked on a number of kokyunages and Saotome Sensei emphasized that kokyunages as breath throws comes from internal to nage and not some external force.
The fifth and final class was an outdoors weapons class taught by Murashige Sensei. We paired up with bokken verse jo. I learned a number of new jo techniques for responding to bokken attack, how to get out of the way and to deliver a counter-strikes to break up uke's shomen or tsuki bokken attack.
Tonight is the dinner and dance at Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. I had a good time last year and I am looking forward to going again this year.
The second class was Saotome Sensei's outdoors bokken practice. During the paired bokken kata techniques, Saotome Sensei had nage always started with the bokken sheathed and then responded to uke's attack either before uke's sword actually left the scabbard. A couple of the technqiues we practiced involved ducking under uke's sword yokomen strike to the neck and then nage withdrawing the bokken to upward groin cut uke from the bottom, the second is drawing the sword
Doran Sensei taught the third class on the indoors mat. We spent most of the class practicing katatetori katennage uchi and soto (inside and outside) omote and ura variations. Due to the density of people on the mat, most of the time I didn't actual throw my partner but practiced the technique up to the point of throwing uke. I learned some new katennage variations and the last technique of class was a surawaza koshunage (breath throw).
The forth class was taught by Saotome Sensei. Saotome Sensei started class by telling us a story about O'Sensei. When doing iriminage, O'Sensei would not touch uke but still uke would follow him when O'Sensei did a tenkan. Saotome Sensei wondered why uke would follow and just continue straight. Saotome Sensei said that when a human being is focused on the goal, they will narrow their focus to achieve their goal which is different from a machine that continues straight and ignores intention of the attacker. We then practiced iriminage in a number of different variations and continued to on an exercise where four ukes lined up behind each other and nage had to tenkan and try to do iriminage on the whole line. While Saotome Sensei was able to easily throw all of the ukes, when I was doing the exercise, I felt lucky to break the balance of all four of the ukes. We also worked on a number of kokyunages and Saotome Sensei emphasized that kokyunages as breath throws comes from internal to nage and not some external force.
The fifth and final class was an outdoors weapons class taught by Murashige Sensei. We paired up with bokken verse jo. I learned a number of new jo techniques for responding to bokken attack, how to get out of the way and to deliver a counter-strikes to break up uke's shomen or tsuki bokken attack.
Tonight is the dinner and dance at Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. I had a good time last year and I am looking forward to going again this year.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Aikido Summer Camp 2009 - Day 5
The first class was taught Haines Sensei from Arizona. We started off with mostly standard warm-up exercises and then Haines Sensei had us move around and take ukemi as if we were a spider, a bear, a frog, and a scorpion. These series of exercises, of crawling around on all-fours was a different experience than what I am used to and beside it was fun as well. We then paired up for a number of mutual tenkan exercises to encourage the flow and blending of uke and nage. Haines Sensei then had us get into groups of four and then coordinate doing tenkan between the four of us.
The second class was taught by Doran Sensei and we first worked on a solo bokken exercise with Sensei explaining how to drop the bokken by not holding on with forward hand and then doing a tenkan to place the bokken's tip 180 degrees from the initial position. We worked on some variations that included a ura version all showing how the bokken and shinonage are related. We then paired up and worked on some katas that included many of the same movements from the solo exercises. I took this photo of Doran Sensei as we were leaving class today:
The third class was taught by Murashige Sensei. I was twenty minutes late to class because I was asked to help with some paperwork for the camp. When I got back to class, Murashige Sensei was having everyone to pair up and practice relaxing when doing jo techniques. I was fortunate to practice with Jun, a senior student at Boulder Aikikai, during most of the class and really learned more about connecting and feeling where to go during the technique. She said that my techniques are very solid and stable but I need to be lighter and freer when connecting with uke. Getting this intense instruction by these senior Aikido students is one of the great reasons summer camp is so valuable in improving my Aikido.
The forth class of the day was Saotome Sensei's class. He started off with a lecture about copyright and professional sports. As participants are not allowed to bring in cameras or video recorders to professional sporting events because the sport owners own the copyright to the game, taping or photographs during an Aikido class at summer camp is likewise prohibited because the copyright is held by Boulder Aikikai, the sponsor of the summer camp, as well as the instructors (my photos have been all before or after class, it has been pounded into me that the mat is for practice...I have never thought to go off the mat to take a photo during any seminar). I have noticed people video taping classes so it must have started to get out of control. Saotome Sensei then had us work with bokken katas; first being attacked by two ukes with different responses by nage. He eventually had us being attacked by four ukes with bokkens. My aderline picked up during these randori exercises as there were bokkens flying all around as I attempt to respond to the simulated battlefield. We then switched to paired jo practice. Towards the end of class, Saotome Sensei listed two reasons why we practice with weapons: one, to develop the connection between uke and nage and two, to learn control of yourself.
Ikeda Sensei taught the fifth outdoor weapons class. We practiced with the bokken and to start off, Sensei said something interesting. Ikeda Sensei says being natural and not tensing up is to be in harmony with the earth, the sky, and everything. It is being tense that we break from the environment and the exercise or technique does not work. Ai in Aikido is harmony and that is the goal of our practice. I paired up with my roommate Greg and we worked through the various exercises. Ikeda Sensei wanted us to keep on a straight line and not go off to the side, in doing so, it forced me to use the bokken more and to more aware of what was around me. He told us to imagine two samauri on a narrow bridge with no room to move to either side as the bridge is only two feet-width wide. I tried to keep my gaze soft and not care about the blade but more about my own positioning in respect to uke's bokken attack. Ikeda Sensei said that these exercises were not Aikido techniques but developed the foundation for further growth with our own techniques. He is absolutely right I hope to be able to bring this new awareness to my own Aikido teaching.
After class I took the first photo of a friend of mine from the front range, Steve, who I have been participating with in the Zen sittings I have been attending for the past few days (he is on the right in the photo). He is a cardiologist in Denver and I enjoy talking with him on a whole range of topics.
This third photo is Ikeda Sensei and some other students walking back to the dorms.
The final class of the day (really night) was taught by Hofmeister Sensei. Hofmeister Sensei started off with uke and nage doing kokyu-ho, then from seiza, uke placed a hand on nage's shoulder and move around feeling the full range of movement in the shoulder. As the class progressed, Hofmeister Sensei emphasized moving shoulder instead of body, lower arm, or wrist. I finally realized what Hofmeister Sensei was trying to do when I was working with Michael, a senior student from DC, who forced me to focus on just rotating my shoulder to move uke. Two ukes then grabbed nage and nage had to rotated both shoulder to break both uke's balance. The last technique we did had been building to the entire class to a moratedori kokyunage where nage is able to throw uke by using the same shoulder rotation. An important note to this technique is that nage sometimes may have to shift body and foot position to keep the center-line and balance in order to effectively use this shoulder movement. At the end of class, Hofmeister Sensei said that we should learn something from every class, and that instead of just forgetting everything after leaving the mat, you should practice after class or do something else to remember what you have learned. I have this blog. :0
I am off to do the Zen sitting session at 10:00 and then off to bed for the final full day of summer camp tomorrow.
The second class was taught by Doran Sensei and we first worked on a solo bokken exercise with Sensei explaining how to drop the bokken by not holding on with forward hand and then doing a tenkan to place the bokken's tip 180 degrees from the initial position. We worked on some variations that included a ura version all showing how the bokken and shinonage are related. We then paired up and worked on some katas that included many of the same movements from the solo exercises. I took this photo of Doran Sensei as we were leaving class today:
The third class was taught by Murashige Sensei. I was twenty minutes late to class because I was asked to help with some paperwork for the camp. When I got back to class, Murashige Sensei was having everyone to pair up and practice relaxing when doing jo techniques. I was fortunate to practice with Jun, a senior student at Boulder Aikikai, during most of the class and really learned more about connecting and feeling where to go during the technique. She said that my techniques are very solid and stable but I need to be lighter and freer when connecting with uke. Getting this intense instruction by these senior Aikido students is one of the great reasons summer camp is so valuable in improving my Aikido.
The forth class of the day was Saotome Sensei's class. He started off with a lecture about copyright and professional sports. As participants are not allowed to bring in cameras or video recorders to professional sporting events because the sport owners own the copyright to the game, taping or photographs during an Aikido class at summer camp is likewise prohibited because the copyright is held by Boulder Aikikai, the sponsor of the summer camp, as well as the instructors (my photos have been all before or after class, it has been pounded into me that the mat is for practice...I have never thought to go off the mat to take a photo during any seminar). I have noticed people video taping classes so it must have started to get out of control. Saotome Sensei then had us work with bokken katas; first being attacked by two ukes with different responses by nage. He eventually had us being attacked by four ukes with bokkens. My aderline picked up during these randori exercises as there were bokkens flying all around as I attempt to respond to the simulated battlefield. We then switched to paired jo practice. Towards the end of class, Saotome Sensei listed two reasons why we practice with weapons: one, to develop the connection between uke and nage and two, to learn control of yourself.
Ikeda Sensei taught the fifth outdoor weapons class. We practiced with the bokken and to start off, Sensei said something interesting. Ikeda Sensei says being natural and not tensing up is to be in harmony with the earth, the sky, and everything. It is being tense that we break from the environment and the exercise or technique does not work. Ai in Aikido is harmony and that is the goal of our practice. I paired up with my roommate Greg and we worked through the various exercises. Ikeda Sensei wanted us to keep on a straight line and not go off to the side, in doing so, it forced me to use the bokken more and to more aware of what was around me. He told us to imagine two samauri on a narrow bridge with no room to move to either side as the bridge is only two feet-width wide. I tried to keep my gaze soft and not care about the blade but more about my own positioning in respect to uke's bokken attack. Ikeda Sensei said that these exercises were not Aikido techniques but developed the foundation for further growth with our own techniques. He is absolutely right I hope to be able to bring this new awareness to my own Aikido teaching.
After class I took the first photo of a friend of mine from the front range, Steve, who I have been participating with in the Zen sittings I have been attending for the past few days (he is on the right in the photo). He is a cardiologist in Denver and I enjoy talking with him on a whole range of topics.
This third photo is Ikeda Sensei and some other students walking back to the dorms.
The final class of the day (really night) was taught by Hofmeister Sensei. Hofmeister Sensei started off with uke and nage doing kokyu-ho, then from seiza, uke placed a hand on nage's shoulder and move around feeling the full range of movement in the shoulder. As the class progressed, Hofmeister Sensei emphasized moving shoulder instead of body, lower arm, or wrist. I finally realized what Hofmeister Sensei was trying to do when I was working with Michael, a senior student from DC, who forced me to focus on just rotating my shoulder to move uke. Two ukes then grabbed nage and nage had to rotated both shoulder to break both uke's balance. The last technique we did had been building to the entire class to a moratedori kokyunage where nage is able to throw uke by using the same shoulder rotation. An important note to this technique is that nage sometimes may have to shift body and foot position to keep the center-line and balance in order to effectively use this shoulder movement. At the end of class, Hofmeister Sensei said that we should learn something from every class, and that instead of just forgetting everything after leaving the mat, you should practice after class or do something else to remember what you have learned. I have this blog. :0
I am off to do the Zen sitting session at 10:00 and then off to bed for the final full day of summer camp tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Aikido Summer Camp 2009 - Day 4
Today is the mid-week break, none of the senior shihan are teaching but I went to the 3-4:30 class taught by Troy Farrow Sensei from Boulder Aikikai. Farrow Sensei continued the connection and unity exercises from Ikeda and Murashige Sensei classes. We first worked on an exercise where uke made a fist and nage put a hand over the fist and moved all around and to the mat with the goal of maintaining the same connection throughout the technique. From that exercise, we went to ikkyo technique where we felt the fist and the connection and then smoothly transitioned to the full ikkyo throw and pin. The next technique was shomenuchi ikkyo and Farrow Sensei said we shouldn't be focused on the arm and elbow of the hand you are connected to but to focus on moving the opposite shoulder to take uke's balance. He then showed us how to use our forward foot as an anchor and to bring up the other leg to rest on the calf of the forward foot. This decreases the distance between uke and nage as well as providing a solid base for nage when performing the throw. We then worked on related kokyunages both regular and break-falls.
Dinner was an outdoor BBQ, I took this photo of the line of hunger Aikidora waiting to get best meal of camp so far (I thought the ribs were excellent). The photo at the top of the blog post is from where I was sitting and provides a different view of dorm straight ahead and to the right is where the gym where the dojo's mats are.
Tonight I am going to the Aiki Store to buy a new gi and maybe a DVD or two. At ten, I plan on attending the Zen sitting group again. Last night was instructive as it showed just how active and unsettled my mind is without the distractions of life. My goal for tomorrow is attend all of the classes, so six in total.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Aikido Summer Camp 2009 - Day 3
Murashige Sensei taught the first outdoors class (I was feeling a bit under the weather with the brown-bottle flu from last night to make the 6:30 am class). He had us practice with the sumau irimi first and then tenkan. Murashige Sensei mentioned that O'Sensei emphazied the importance of irimi and then tenkan. Using the smaller sword changes the distance and timing as you imagine, especially when being attacked with the bokken. We worked in groups of four with the focus on getting close and deep with the smaller sword. Murashige Sensei came over corrected my footwork which made the technique actually work for me.
I took this photo of the shomen (shrine) with the really big photo of O'Sensei. One of the two individuals to the right of the shrine facing the camera is my roommate.
Saotome Sensei taught the second class and he started off talking about energy and responding to an attack. He then said the following and I tried hard to remember exactly and it was "ki is a sound, ki is a wave, ki is the ocean, ki is lighting". I interpret this as we too often in Aikido ascribe mystical properties or "magic" when referencing ki but ki is just energy and energy is wave. In one demostration, Satome Sensei humed while he was throwing his uke to show how the technique's ebb and flow resembles sound. Saotome Sensei started off with surawazi kokyunage where in one technique nage actual jumps to the side while in full seiza. We then moved on to some techniques with two attackers where nage needs to do a full tenkan before the second attacker completes his or her punch or overhead strike. We then worked on tskui iriminage and kokyunages to finish off this excellent class.
The third class was taught by Ikeda Sensei. He started off by asking how does one overcome a bigger and stronger opponent? We started off with a number of exercises focusing on moving and maintaining one's balance before trying to unbalance uke. Larger and taller people have a higher center of gravity and one first establishs a physical connection with the goal of creatting a unity between you and your opponent. We worked on katatedori and morotedori ikkyo. As with all of these techniques, it is much easier to see sensei do them to actually apply them when practicing the technique.
The forth class was an outdoor weapons class taught by Doran Sensei. I learned the proper way to remove your bokken from its sabbard (since these were bokken and not live blades, we tucked the sword into your hakama or gi belt) We spent the whole class period working through bokken and then open-hand ikkyo variations.
The final class of the evening was taught by Choate Sensei from Chicago Aikikai. His classes are always interesting. Tonight we did something similar to the other classes I have taken from him. We spent most of the time working a partner who while grabbing you, you have to feel how uke energy and balance to take them to the ground and then keeping the same pressure and distance, pinning them to the mat. In Choate Sensei classes he does a lot of experimentation on different movements and body sense that nobody else in the various years I have practiced Aikido.
Tonight I am planning on doing a Zen sitting session at ten and then going to bed. Tomorrow is the scheduled free day, although there are two 1.5 hour classes taught by various Boulder Aikikai senior students. My plan is attend at least one of these classes and to do laundry.
I took this photo of the shomen (shrine) with the really big photo of O'Sensei. One of the two individuals to the right of the shrine facing the camera is my roommate.
Saotome Sensei taught the second class and he started off talking about energy and responding to an attack. He then said the following and I tried hard to remember exactly and it was "ki is a sound, ki is a wave, ki is the ocean, ki is lighting". I interpret this as we too often in Aikido ascribe mystical properties or "magic" when referencing ki but ki is just energy and energy is wave. In one demostration, Satome Sensei humed while he was throwing his uke to show how the technique's ebb and flow resembles sound. Saotome Sensei started off with surawazi kokyunage where in one technique nage actual jumps to the side while in full seiza. We then moved on to some techniques with two attackers where nage needs to do a full tenkan before the second attacker completes his or her punch or overhead strike. We then worked on tskui iriminage and kokyunages to finish off this excellent class.
The third class was taught by Ikeda Sensei. He started off by asking how does one overcome a bigger and stronger opponent? We started off with a number of exercises focusing on moving and maintaining one's balance before trying to unbalance uke. Larger and taller people have a higher center of gravity and one first establishs a physical connection with the goal of creatting a unity between you and your opponent. We worked on katatedori and morotedori ikkyo. As with all of these techniques, it is much easier to see sensei do them to actually apply them when practicing the technique.
The forth class was an outdoor weapons class taught by Doran Sensei. I learned the proper way to remove your bokken from its sabbard (since these were bokken and not live blades, we tucked the sword into your hakama or gi belt) We spent the whole class period working through bokken and then open-hand ikkyo variations.
The final class of the evening was taught by Choate Sensei from Chicago Aikikai. His classes are always interesting. Tonight we did something similar to the other classes I have taken from him. We spent most of the time working a partner who while grabbing you, you have to feel how uke energy and balance to take them to the ground and then keeping the same pressure and distance, pinning them to the mat. In Choate Sensei classes he does a lot of experimentation on different movements and body sense that nobody else in the various years I have practiced Aikido.
Tonight I am planning on doing a Zen sitting session at ten and then going to bed. Tomorrow is the scheduled free day, although there are two 1.5 hour classes taught by various Boulder Aikikai senior students. My plan is attend at least one of these classes and to do laundry.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Aikido Summer Camp 2009 - Day 2
The first class started at 6:30 and was taught by a senior instructor from Florida who everyone calls PeeWee (that is even how he is listed on the schedule). PeeWee Sensei had us do an extended warm-up before working on a number of katatedori techniques.
The second class was Saotome Sensei's outdoor class. The sun was bright in the Eastern sky and Saotome Sensei requested we remove all hats and sunglasses. He then said that on the weather is often our enemy and we need to learn how to adjust. We started with gedan stance (bokken is held straight up in the air while in left hanmi) and Saotome Sensei showed us why this particular stance was used because when you hold the bokken, your left forearm can be used to block the sun if you are facing the sun. Saotome Sensei also mentioned that you can use the blade of the sword to shine sunlight directly into your opponents eye. We practiced a number of different paired bokken practice until near the end of class where Saotome Sensei had us practice throwing the bokken at an imaginary opponent.
I brought my camera took this photo of Saotome Sensei after class watching various students pratice what we worked on:
The third class in the morning was taught by Murashiege Sensei. We spent most of the class working on mortedori ikkyo, nikkyo, shinonage. While first seeing Murashiege Sensei's style as "old-school" Japanese Aikido, he emphasized being soft and not using your strength when doing the techniques.
The first class after lunch was taught by Doran Sensei. We worked on yokomenuchi shinonage omote and ura plus yokomenuchi iriminage omote and ura. Doran Sensei's iriminage opening was different from any opening I have ever seen before. In the opening, you extends both hands, palms up as the yokomen strike occurs and by slightly stepping off the line. While keeping arms extended, nage reaches with other hand around uke's elbow and bring the hand up to nage's face. This action followed by a very similar movement as the first opens up uke for the ura iriminage throw.
The final class of the day was taught outside by Ikeda Sensei. We worked on paired jo practice and as with most of weapons work, I know I need more practice to become better. Most of the techniques and exercises we practice with the jo was with Ikeda Sensei explaining the importance of proper technique to do the jo techniques with proper spacing, timing, and speed. Ikeda Sensei emphasized that weapons practice is like any sport, baseball, boxing, swimming, riding the bike, it is not a natural instinct but requires study and practice. My current jo is a couple of inches too short but I believe that is better than being too long.
Tonight I am headed to the Glenwood Springs Pool for a nice relaxing soak and swim before heading out for a couple of beers afterwards. Good stuff.
The second class was Saotome Sensei's outdoor class. The sun was bright in the Eastern sky and Saotome Sensei requested we remove all hats and sunglasses. He then said that on the weather is often our enemy and we need to learn how to adjust. We started with gedan stance (bokken is held straight up in the air while in left hanmi) and Saotome Sensei showed us why this particular stance was used because when you hold the bokken, your left forearm can be used to block the sun if you are facing the sun. Saotome Sensei also mentioned that you can use the blade of the sword to shine sunlight directly into your opponents eye. We practiced a number of different paired bokken practice until near the end of class where Saotome Sensei had us practice throwing the bokken at an imaginary opponent.
I brought my camera took this photo of Saotome Sensei after class watching various students pratice what we worked on:
The third class in the morning was taught by Murashiege Sensei. We spent most of the class working on mortedori ikkyo, nikkyo, shinonage. While first seeing Murashiege Sensei's style as "old-school" Japanese Aikido, he emphasized being soft and not using your strength when doing the techniques.
The first class after lunch was taught by Doran Sensei. We worked on yokomenuchi shinonage omote and ura plus yokomenuchi iriminage omote and ura. Doran Sensei's iriminage opening was different from any opening I have ever seen before. In the opening, you extends both hands, palms up as the yokomen strike occurs and by slightly stepping off the line. While keeping arms extended, nage reaches with other hand around uke's elbow and bring the hand up to nage's face. This action followed by a very similar movement as the first opens up uke for the ura iriminage throw.
The final class of the day was taught outside by Ikeda Sensei. We worked on paired jo practice and as with most of weapons work, I know I need more practice to become better. Most of the techniques and exercises we practice with the jo was with Ikeda Sensei explaining the importance of proper technique to do the jo techniques with proper spacing, timing, and speed. Ikeda Sensei emphasized that weapons practice is like any sport, baseball, boxing, swimming, riding the bike, it is not a natural instinct but requires study and practice. My current jo is a couple of inches too short but I believe that is better than being too long.
Tonight I am headed to the Glenwood Springs Pool for a nice relaxing soak and swim before heading out for a couple of beers afterwards. Good stuff.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Aikido Summer Camp 2009 - Day 1
I arrived today without any problems, the route over Kebler Pass was fine and I arrived about an hour early before registration. As I was driving I remembered that I forgot (how is that for awkward word play!) my ethernet cable for Internet access in my room. Since I had extra time, I drove to a local Office Depot and purchased an extra cable. What sucks is that I found out when I arrived that CMC now has wireless so I didn't even need the cable.
I took this first photo of the outside of the dorm. My room is on the third floor. My roommate Greg is from Chicago and he is programmer so we had some things to talk about. I can still talk various geek and nerd dialects and I wonder if Aikido attracts us nerds.
This second photo is from my room looking down at the parking lot. The view is great.
Saotome Sensei began the first class by asking if he should be silent when teaching. He related how O'Sensei taught classes in silence and that you (as the student) had to listen with more than just your ears to learn the technique for othe battlefield one doesn't stop to ask your opponent or even a friend about how to do a technique. Saotome Sensei demonstrated why we practiced grabbing katatedori, stop nage from drawing a sword. He brought a live blade and showed the need to keep everything in front of your hara that the morotedori (I think that is how Saotome Sensei pronounced it "without sword") that you use your hand that is already extended as your sword. We practiced a two or three katatedori kokyunage variations before the class ended. (Tonight's classes were only 1/2 hour)
Doran Sensei taught the second class and started with katatedori tenkan and irimi exercise. He then had us practice kosadori ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo all with bring the hand that is grabbed to your center and then atemi to the face so that uke grabs your wrist to prevent getting hit in the face. Nage then works on the new hand to do the technique.
During the final class, Murashige Sensei, a shihan from San Diego, had us practice katatedori kokyunage techniques. He had us practice a very smooth and new to me opening to katatedori shihonage where nage started with a throw and then with a large circle, moved uke's hand to a natural shihonage. I practiced with Troy Sensei (he is about 8 inches taller than me) so the shihonage didn't flow as well as I would have liked, sometimes I had to go upon my tiptoes to do the technique in doing so, I felt I was giving my balance too much to the technique.
I took this first photo of the outside of the dorm. My room is on the third floor. My roommate Greg is from Chicago and he is programmer so we had some things to talk about. I can still talk various geek and nerd dialects and I wonder if Aikido attracts us nerds.
This second photo is from my room looking down at the parking lot. The view is great.
Saotome Sensei began the first class by asking if he should be silent when teaching. He related how O'Sensei taught classes in silence and that you (as the student) had to listen with more than just your ears to learn the technique for othe battlefield one doesn't stop to ask your opponent or even a friend about how to do a technique. Saotome Sensei demonstrated why we practiced grabbing katatedori, stop nage from drawing a sword. He brought a live blade and showed the need to keep everything in front of your hara that the morotedori (I think that is how Saotome Sensei pronounced it "without sword") that you use your hand that is already extended as your sword. We practiced a two or three katatedori kokyunage variations before the class ended. (Tonight's classes were only 1/2 hour)
Doran Sensei taught the second class and started with katatedori tenkan and irimi exercise. He then had us practice kosadori ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo all with bring the hand that is grabbed to your center and then atemi to the face so that uke grabs your wrist to prevent getting hit in the face. Nage then works on the new hand to do the technique.
During the final class, Murashige Sensei, a shihan from San Diego, had us practice katatedori kokyunage techniques. He had us practice a very smooth and new to me opening to katatedori shihonage where nage started with a throw and then with a large circle, moved uke's hand to a natural shihonage. I practiced with Troy Sensei (he is about 8 inches taller than me) so the shihonage didn't flow as well as I would have liked, sometimes I had to go upon my tiptoes to do the technique in doing so, I felt I was giving my balance too much to the technique.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Update
Yesterday I had to work late so I was unable to teach Aikido. I am getting ready for Aikido Summer Camp in the Rockies which starts on Sunday.
I am in the process of building a loft for my bed and yesterday evening my landlord came over and we removed the old love seat and china cabinet. I am now shopping for nice leather recliner and some area rugs. The cabin is still a mess but I am working towards my limited vision of a slight update to my living arrangements.
I am in the process of building a loft for my bed and yesterday evening my landlord came over and we removed the old love seat and china cabinet. I am now shopping for nice leather recliner and some area rugs. The cabin is still a mess but I am working towards my limited vision of a slight update to my living arrangements.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Aikido for 07/13/2009 and a cherry tomato
Yesterday, I picked and ate the only cherry tomato from the tomato plant I grew from seed. This was the first tomato I have grown since living in Champaign. Here are a couple of photos, the first of the tomato plant and the second photo is the tomato in my palm about to be eaten. The taste was okay, not great.
I went to Aikido class and although nobody showed up (a student-worker at the library had said he might come to class), I did a short warm-up, a number of forward and backward ukemi, and then did 250 bokken cuts. I then went through the first 3 kumotachi and after switching to the jo, practiced the 13-step jo kata.
I went to Aikido class and although nobody showed up (a student-worker at the library had said he might come to class), I did a short warm-up, a number of forward and backward ukemi, and then did 250 bokken cuts. I then went through the first 3 kumotachi and after switching to the jo, practiced the 13-step jo kata.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Fishing w/Grandma and Uncle Larry
Last night my Grandmother Broughton called said she and my Uncle Larry were going to be at Blue Mesa Reservoir to pick up my niece and wondered if I would be able to drive out for a couple of hours for a picnic lunch and to fish.
Early this afternoon, I drove to the second bridge (I think the turn-off is Dillon Rocks) and found my grandmother and Uncle Larry just setting up. Grandma had packed a lunch and we fished for a short time. Grandma was fishing and her line got a snag. I told Uncle Larry to pretend to catch a large fish, here is the photo of him and grandma. (I got a good laugh from his expression)
I tried a new lure I purchased this morning and caught a 17-inch rainbow trout. About fifteen minutes later, the wind started blowing hard and it started sprinkling rain. Before we left the site, I had Uncle Larry take this photograph of Grandma and me holding the trout. Amazing to think my Grandma turns 90 next year.
I got home and baked the trout with garlic, fresh lemon, mushrooms, and cream-of-mushroom soup. Great meal and I loved seeing my family for this brief visit.
Early this afternoon, I drove to the second bridge (I think the turn-off is Dillon Rocks) and found my grandmother and Uncle Larry just setting up. Grandma had packed a lunch and we fished for a short time. Grandma was fishing and her line got a snag. I told Uncle Larry to pretend to catch a large fish, here is the photo of him and grandma. (I got a good laugh from his expression)
I tried a new lure I purchased this morning and caught a 17-inch rainbow trout. About fifteen minutes later, the wind started blowing hard and it started sprinkling rain. Before we left the site, I had Uncle Larry take this photograph of Grandma and me holding the trout. Amazing to think my Grandma turns 90 next year.
I got home and baked the trout with garlic, fresh lemon, mushrooms, and cream-of-mushroom soup. Great meal and I loved seeing my family for this brief visit.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
No Aikido for 07/08/2009
Escalante Fitness Center is closed today so I ran for a 1/2 hour instead. I ran yesterday as well all in preparation for Rocky Mountain Aikido Summer Camp in Glenwood Springs.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Back from Grand Junction
On Thursday, I drove to Grand Junction and stayed the night with brothers Jesse and Jarrett after visiting Judd, Devon, and Keegan. On Friday, I spent some time with my sister-in-law, Lisa, and my two nieces, Aura and Emie. Both of them are taking swimming lessons at Lincoln Park swimming pool, and I walked over and watched their lessons. I remember spending three summers teaching swimming lessons at that very pool and not much has changed since.
Friday night I had dinner with Jesse and Dad and then I stayed the night with Dad. On the 4th, I went shooting with Jarrett and his friends and then drank a lot of keg beer at Jarrett's before going up to Orchard Mesa to visit Judd, Jake, Dad, and family. I then went back and drank some more before ending up at Lincoln Park for the fireworks display before tagging along to western desert at 21 road for a late night party. I passed out at Jarrett's, visited Dad in the next morning, before driving back to Gunnison on Sunday.
Friday night I had dinner with Jesse and Dad and then I stayed the night with Dad. On the 4th, I went shooting with Jarrett and his friends and then drank a lot of keg beer at Jarrett's before going up to Orchard Mesa to visit Judd, Jake, Dad, and family. I then went back and drank some more before ending up at Lincoln Park for the fireworks display before tagging along to western desert at 21 road for a late night party. I passed out at Jarrett's, visited Dad in the next morning, before driving back to Gunnison on Sunday.
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