On Friday I left Gunnison by 12:30 and arrived in Boulder with plenty of time for a leisurely dinner before classes started at 6:00. Tres Hofmeister Sensei taught the first class. Hofmeister Sensei talked about the early days of Boulder Aikikai where Ikeda Sensei would spend all class working on break-falls or suriwaza techniques. We practiced a number of kokyunages techniques from those days where the style of the technique was broader and more open.
Ikeda Sensei taught the second class. He talked about the early students, Tres, June, and others and the changes Boulder Aikikai has gone through in space and students over the past 30 years. We then worked on connection exercises with Ikeda Sensei emphasizing of taking your opponent's balance, both mentally and physically, before even making contact with uke. We also practiced a number of katatetori kokyunages, ikkyo, and a couple of iriminages. The energy and spirit of the dojo was celebratory, paying respect to all of the years Ikeda Sensei has devoted to the study and teaching of Aikido and martial arts.
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