Aikido for 06/29/2010

Last night Ken taught class. After warming up, we practice two katatetori kokyunages, the first the tenkan variation we usually practice, the second kokyunage was a tenshinnage variation that ends with more a kokyunage throw than a tenshinage throw. We then spent the rest of class on tsuki kotegashei tenkan ura variation. As part of the practice, Ken had us tie nage's arms down to their sides with a belt to force nage to use his body when doing the technique and not rely on arm strength.

After class; Ken, another student, and I went to Old Chicago for beer and nachos.

Aikido for 06/26/2010

Today for Aikido, Gary taught both classes. In the first class after warming up we practiced these techniques:

• katatetori shihonage omote and ura
• katatori nikyo omote and ura
• katatetori koshinage, I worked with Nate on the koshinage and I realized that I wasn't doing this particular variation correctly (more with entry, I was doing another variation, this one was easier) I still need to practicing throwing koshinage, my ukemi was fine when Nate threw me.

The second class was the Fundamentals. We worked on ukemi and shkyo and then praticed the following techniques:

• tsuki kotegashei omote and ura
• kokyu-ho exercise

Aikido for 06/24/2010

Kip taught class and we worked on

• katatetori shihonage omote and ura
• tsuki kotegashi ura
• shomenuchi iriminage

Kip brought me up a number of times to be uke when he demostrated the techniques. I learned a new way to respond to an uke who is straight arm by pulling and extending uke's arm, placing your knees under uke's elbow and then turning your hips to the outside which forces uke to the ground or risk breaking the extended elbow. Good stuff.

Aikido for 06/22/2010

Last night I had a migraine but decided because I hadn't been to Aikido since last Friday morning, to gut it out and attend class regardless (granted I took medication when I got home but I only had ten minutes to rest before I need to leave for class).

Ken taught and after warming up, we practiced the two standard kokyunages, the first katatetori kokyunage tenkan variation, and katatetori kokyunage irimi variation. Ken added a third kokyunage where nage shifts uke's arm and elbow up while directly entering into uke's space to throw uke. We then spent the rest of class working first on static and then a more dynamic shomenuchi iriminage. Ken built up to the irimi throw by having us start by shifting uke's balance and redirect uke to nage's side while keeping both of uke's shoulders and posture on the forward foot. At the end, Ken showed a nage step entry for iriminage that I have thought about so explicitly. I enjoyed class and although I wasn't feel well, I am very glad I went. After class I didn't go out for drinks (while this should have been obvious if you a migraine, I didn't want to contribute to any more pain in my head).

Aikido for 06/18/2010

This morning I got up to attend Kip's 5:45am class as I wasn't able to go to Aikido last night because I worked late and I was waiting for a phone call to schedule the delivery of a washer-dryer pair to my apartment. When I arrive, Kip and I were the only ones there so we just had a paired practice. We started off with ryotetori tenshin-nage omote, ryotetori shihonage omote, then practiced a number of ushiro techniques including a number of ushiro kokyunage., ushiro kubishime kotegashi, and ushiro shihonage. Working the entire hour one-on-one, was a great learning experience. First, Kip showed where I was losing my extension and proving openings for uke, the same things I kept telling the students I had in Gunnison. Unlike a beginner, I was still able to perform the technique because I keep my extension and balance most of the time, just as a result from the years of practicing Aikido. What Kip provided was an experienced and centered training partner and teacher, correcting and improving the more subtle aspects of the art.

During koyu-ho exercise at the end, Tip showed two different variations that I have never seen before, the first has nage bringing his hands together and then weaving a figure eight to break uke's center. The second variation is when uke has nage's wrists pinned to nage's knees, nage shifts one knew back to break uke's balance before moving into uke and throwing uke. Great practice this morning and I am really glad I got up and went to class. I may have to come to class more often in the mornings, the temperature was perfect, the training excellent, and the day started off great. I am have to go back to my apartment to wait for my appliances between 10 and noon so now I'll have clean gis if I want to increase my training frequency.

Aikido for 06/15/2010

Last night Ken taught class. After warm-up, we practiced three or four different katatetori kokyunages and then we practiced shomenuchi iriminage and shomenuchi kokyunage. For the iriminage, Ken suggested I move my hand lower to the elbow (my normal practice has been to trap uke's attacking arm at the wrist) when doing the iriminage. Both ways are fine, it is nice to be able to work on the finer points in my techniques.

Aikido for 06/12/2010

The first class at 10:30 was taught by Nate, the other 1st kyu, as Gary was busy. After warming up and some good ukemi practice, Nate had us practice ushiro ryo-kata tori ikkyo and a ushiro ryo-kata tori kokyunage. We then finished the class by working on the 2nd bokken kumitachi.

The second class was taught by Kip Harris (I finally remembered to look for his last name). We worked on the following techniques: Shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura (during the omote practice, Kip pointed out where I was having difficultly in getting uke down, really a matter of angles and going where uke is unbalance, even after practicing for 13 years, I still need to be reminded of the basics), Shomenuchi iriminage two variations, Tsuki kotegashi, basically going through the 6th kyu test. In all, both classes were good and I enjoyed practicing with everyone.

Aikido for 6/10/2010

Tonight Tip taught class and after warm-up exercises, Kip started with a katatetori nikkyo omote with a direct entry.

Aikido for 06/08/2010

Last night Ken Lee taught the Aikido Open Class. After warm-up, we started off with a katatetori kokyunage (tenkan variation), followed with a katatetori tan no kokyuho. During the standing kokyuho, on this technique I enjoyed the vigor and advanced training with Kip and Nate. Ken wanted a more active class so we worked on a number of different kokyunages, irminages, and a kotegashi. We also continued work with a more dynamic shomenuchi entering as well.

After class, Ken, Tip, Hal (a returning student from Hawaii), and I went to Old Chicago for an after class beer and meal. It was good to visit with these instructors and senior students. I will have to make a 5:45 a.m. Tip class before too long, especially if I know I won't be able to make a Tuesday/Thursday class that I am starting to establish as a my regular Aikido practice schedule.

Aikido for 6/5/2010

This morning I went to the 10:30 Aikido class taught by Gary. We started off with warm-ups, katatetori kokyunage, katatetori iriminage, and then we focused on tsuki for the rest of class. We worked on a number of different kokyunages from tsuki, along with a couple of hijinages, and tsuki kotegashi. We finished classes with a few tanto variations, the first uke attacks with a tsuki and nage responds by sliding to uke's side, grabs uke's wrist and then turns into uke, cutting uke's midsection before bring the tanto behind uke for a modified standing yonkyo pin and tanto takeway, all while standing. A cool variation that I haven't practiced before. There was a large class today, with 14 students, and I believe I was able to practice with everyone. I have some chores todo, including the daily back-up at my job, so I didn't stay for the second Aikido fundamentals class.

On a separate topic, after Aikido I went and purchased a new vacuum cleaner, an iRobot Roomba, that is currently charging overnight before I unleash a new robot cleaner to vacuum my carpets tomorrow. Wow, I am living in the future when I can buy a relatively cheap cleaning robot that does not require human intervention to run (although it does require me to clean-out the dirt bin and plug it it, so it isn't completely autonomous)

Aikido for 6/3/2010

Tonight for Aikido, Kip was the instructor. We started the class with a warm-up and then started with a katatetori kokyunage, we then practiced katatetori nikkyo omote, katatetori kokyu-ho kokyunage, kosadori ikkyo omote, kosadori sankyo omote, tsuki kotegashei ura variation, tanto-dori (knife-takeway), tsuki dai-gokyo omote, tanto-dori tsuki hijinage style pin, jo-dori (staff-takeway) kokyunage, jo-tori (nage throws uke with a staff) kokyunage.

As with all of the classes I have attended so far, the spirit and learning at Pikes Peak dojo has been very positive. I met Nate, the other 1st kyu, and he is really welcoming and excited about Aikido. I also practiced more with Kevin, a soldier stationed at Fort Carson, and with Gary, the only shodan. I knew Gary from summer camp and at various seminars in Boulder and Denver, so I am really happy and lucky to have found this dojo. I learned a lot from Kip in just this one class so I am also very happy that I am learning new things every class and I hope this continues.

Aikido for 6/1/2010 and Blog name...

Last night I attended my second class at Pikes Peak Aikido, taught by Ken Lee, that started at 6:00. The first half-hour was spent doing various warm-up, balance, and movement exercises. We then spent the rest of the class working on a static shomenuci ikkyo omote techniques. While the approach is different, I enjoyed working with different students during the class and found I was humbled when I had difficulty performing ikkyo technique and pin on a particularly strong and stiff beginner student named Tom. I also turned in my dojo application form and one of the questions on it, Why Aikido? I found interesting and here is my response to why I practice Aikido: reduction of ego, expansion of compassion.

I have decided to slightly change the name of the blog to, "Jerms Lived in Gunny", as a tribute to my time in the Gunnison and as a reminder to keep mindful of the positive changes and perspectives I experienced and developed while living in Gunnison and working at Western State College.