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.