Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Aikido for 09/28/2010
Last night Ken taught class. After warming up, we worked on katatetori tenkan kokyunage and katatetori irimi exercise. We practiced a couple of different kotegashshi both omote and ura as well as uchi and soto style kaitenages.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Aikido for 09/25/2010
Saturday morning I attended Garry's 10:30 Open Aikido class. We didn't do a normal warm-up; just ran around the outside of the mat for about five minutes before starting with tenkan and irimi exercises. Garry then had us practice moving to uke's omote and ura sides from shomenuchi using both the irimi and tenkan movements from the front and back of uke. We practiced shomenuchi kotegashsi ura tenkan, shomenuchi kokunage omote, and shomenuchi kotegashi omote. To finish class, we practiced a three-person randori where uke attacks with a shomen strike and uke tries to get out of the way. We switched twice with new groups and the practice was good for everyone. Good class.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Aikido for 09/21/2010
Last night Ken taught class. After warming up, we practiced tenkan kokyunage and then we worked on Ikeda Sensei internal movement tenkan. We then practiced the following techniques: katatetori kokyu-ho omote, kosatori ikkyo, and then a couple of bokken katas that Ikeda Sensei taught at the Prescott Seminar.
Today at 1pm, I'll be assisting Tip and Ken at an Aikido demo for a Colorado College FYE class.
Today at 1pm, I'll be assisting Tip and Ken at an Aikido demo for a Colorado College FYE class.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Aikido for 09/18/2010
Yesterday I taught both the Open and Fundamentals Aikido classes. For the first Open class, we practiced the following techniques:
For the Fundamentals class, we worked on the following four techniques after warm-up and ukemi exercises.
- Tsuki kaiten-nage omote
- Yokomenuchi shihonage omote and ura using Mary Heiny Sensei's shomen cut variation and then the step-in shomenu cut up variation.
- Moretori jujinage
For the Fundamentals class, we worked on the following four techniques after warm-up and ukemi exercises.
- tsuki kotegashi
- tsuki ikkyo omote and ura
- ushiro ryotedori kotegaeshi
- ushiro ryotedori ikkyo omote and ura
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Aikido for 09/15/2010
Ken taught Tuesday night's class. After warm-up, we worked on a number of things from the seminar, including Suzuki Sensei's sacerfice ryokatatetori kokyunage and the step-through katatetori kokyunage. At the end of class we worked on the Ikeda Sensei internal movement exercises from katatetori with the ikkyo opening movement. Ken had us pair up and then the goal is move uke by connecting with the center and then moving uke. Ken purchased Ikeda Sensei's 7 DVDs on the internal style of Aikido and will be bringing those insights to class.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Aikido Fall Bridge Seminar - Day 4
The final day of the seminar was only a half-day of training in the morning with each of the three main instructors; Ikeda Sensei, Heiny Sensei, and Suzuki Sensei each teaching about 45 minutes before the camp ended before noon. Each continued with many of the same techniques and approaches from the previous classes and I had the privilege to train at this seminar. I look forward to training with many of these people in the upcoming years and I love that I am continuing to grow and learn about Aikido.
Aikido Fall Bridge Seminar - Day 3
The day started off with the 7am Chi Gong class taught by Sharon from Prescott Aikido.
The first morning class was Chen style Tai Chi chuan taught by guest instructor Sifu Fennemen. Master Fennemen didn't really have us work on the form but more of the internal stances and balance points in Tai Chi. The box stance was very interesting because you had to keep the feet parallel to each other and about a shoulder-width apart. His focus on the stances and how they relate in very similar ways to Aikido in keeping posture. Some differences from Aikido became more apparent when we started practicing the Wang-style push-hands exercises. Letting your partner push into required moving the hips and shoulders to keep the focus on your partner's center so that it would be easier to then respond and push into the partner in response.
Heiny Sensei taught the second class and talked again about her reading of a O'Sensei's book, her time seeing O'Sensei when she was in Japan, and the philosophy and purposes behind Aikido. Her first great point was that he should have benevolent intentions when we throw and engage our partners in Aikido class. If we focus on dominating or over-powering our partner, even if the actual practice is the same, the outcome of uke outlook and presence will respond to the negative intention on our parts. Our goal should be to neutralize violence in both us and our ukes, we should do a technique that creates a violent response from uke, but the technique should shift uke's perspective to a less-violent one. The techniques we practiced included yokomenuchi shihonage where nage steps back and just does a shomen cut to bring uke's hand to nage's center for the shihonage. In the second variation, nage steps around and cuts up uke's center-line in a reverse shomen cut.
Ikeda Sensei taught the first afternoon class. He continued with the internal Aikido of his other classes. he emphaised that we needed to achive unity between nage's and uke's centers before nage can enter uke to disrupt uke's balance. We worked on these variations and I was helped by George Ledyard Sensei in the irimi aspect of entering and disrupting uke's balance by disrupting uke's center-line.
Suzuki Sensei finished the day with the final class. We started off with a sacarice kokyunage where uke grabs with ryokatatori grab and then nage shifts left or right, grabs the outside wrist and drops flat one's back throwing uke over one's body. This was the first time I have practiced this type of kokyunage and it then lead to an entire series of kokyunages Suzuki Sensei had us practice by nage lying flat on his or her back, uke bends down to grab uke, and nage shifts to either side for a kokyunage throw. A different variation involves nage extending into uke, extending into uke by forcing uke's arm to lock up at the elbows.
The evening finished with a a nice dinner and a cash bar at St. Michael's Hotel in Prescott. I had a good time with a great meal. I talked to Ikeda Sensei and he is sponsoring an Aikido Bridge Seminar in Southern Japan a year from October. I expressed interested so I am starting to plan for my first Japan trip. Good stuff.
The first morning class was Chen style Tai Chi chuan taught by guest instructor Sifu Fennemen. Master Fennemen didn't really have us work on the form but more of the internal stances and balance points in Tai Chi. The box stance was very interesting because you had to keep the feet parallel to each other and about a shoulder-width apart. His focus on the stances and how they relate in very similar ways to Aikido in keeping posture. Some differences from Aikido became more apparent when we started practicing the Wang-style push-hands exercises. Letting your partner push into required moving the hips and shoulders to keep the focus on your partner's center so that it would be easier to then respond and push into the partner in response.
Heiny Sensei taught the second class and talked again about her reading of a O'Sensei's book, her time seeing O'Sensei when she was in Japan, and the philosophy and purposes behind Aikido. Her first great point was that he should have benevolent intentions when we throw and engage our partners in Aikido class. If we focus on dominating or over-powering our partner, even if the actual practice is the same, the outcome of uke outlook and presence will respond to the negative intention on our parts. Our goal should be to neutralize violence in both us and our ukes, we should do a technique that creates a violent response from uke, but the technique should shift uke's perspective to a less-violent one. The techniques we practiced included yokomenuchi shihonage where nage steps back and just does a shomen cut to bring uke's hand to nage's center for the shihonage. In the second variation, nage steps around and cuts up uke's center-line in a reverse shomen cut.
Ikeda Sensei taught the first afternoon class. He continued with the internal Aikido of his other classes. he emphaised that we needed to achive unity between nage's and uke's centers before nage can enter uke to disrupt uke's balance. We worked on these variations and I was helped by George Ledyard Sensei in the irimi aspect of entering and disrupting uke's balance by disrupting uke's center-line.
Suzuki Sensei finished the day with the final class. We started off with a sacarice kokyunage where uke grabs with ryokatatori grab and then nage shifts left or right, grabs the outside wrist and drops flat one's back throwing uke over one's body. This was the first time I have practiced this type of kokyunage and it then lead to an entire series of kokyunages Suzuki Sensei had us practice by nage lying flat on his or her back, uke bends down to grab uke, and nage shifts to either side for a kokyunage throw. A different variation involves nage extending into uke, extending into uke by forcing uke's arm to lock up at the elbows.
The evening finished with a a nice dinner and a cash bar at St. Michael's Hotel in Prescott. I had a good time with a great meal. I talked to Ikeda Sensei and he is sponsoring an Aikido Bridge Seminar in Southern Japan a year from October. I expressed interested so I am starting to plan for my first Japan trip. Good stuff.
Aikido Fall Bridge Seminar - Day 2
The second day started off with Chi Gong class at 7am, a class I didn't make because of the late night dinner and drinks from the night before. After breakfast, classes started at 9:45 am.
The first class I attended was Prescott Aikido's Rafa Sensei kumijo class that was held outside. We started off with an ikkyo style tori technique where nage takes uke's jo. The second technique was shihonage tori. The third and final technique was an irimi style tori.
Heiny Sensei taught the second class indoors. Heiny Sensei spoke about the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, intention that Aikido is for internal improvement of oneself and not an avenue for victory over an opponent. Leading into the technique, Heiny Sensei wanted the focus to be on yourself and your own movement. We spent the class working on kosadora iriminage and kosadora tenshinage omote.
After lunch I attended Ikeda Sensei bokkon outdoor class. We worked in pairs and after we practiced some cuts, Sensei shifted the focus of the class. He must have seen too many of us flinching when blocking a shomen bokken cut because Ikeda Sensei then had us practice on not flinching by first having uke do a shomen cut stopping at nage's forehead. The goal of nage was keep the attention and focus soft and see through the cut. Ikeda Sensei then had nage raise the bokken cross-wise and grab the blade which provided an horizontal blocking surface. Uke then cut with a full-speed and power shomen cut onto nage's blade, with the goal being the same to avoid flinching. After a bit that practice, we continued on some straight bokken katas and exercises for the rest of the class.
The second class of the afternoon was an outdoor bokken class taught by George Ledyard Sensei. He started class by saying that the focus would be irimi applications to Keiko from practicing with the bokken. He repeated a couple of exercises from his DVD that apply to nage being engaged and extending attention to stop uke before uke and nage even engage with the bokken. He then pointed out how many people who practice the kumitachi number 4 are not being realistic in their ability to surprise uke in a more realistic engagement. Ledyard Sensei showed the proper way to shift the legs while keeping uke engaged allows for the types of cuts, especially the first cut to the knee in kumitachi 4, by shift the feet in preparation for the full movement of the cut. His class was really great and I very much enjoyed it.
The final class of the evening was taught by Sakakibara Sensei from Arizona Aikido. Sakakibara Sensei also has a judo background, and the katatetori sumitoshi involved a an elbow drop and engagement that reflected his other martial arts training. I had a hard time hearing him but the class was very enjoyable.
The first class I attended was Prescott Aikido's Rafa Sensei kumijo class that was held outside. We started off with an ikkyo style tori technique where nage takes uke's jo. The second technique was shihonage tori. The third and final technique was an irimi style tori.
Heiny Sensei taught the second class indoors. Heiny Sensei spoke about the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, intention that Aikido is for internal improvement of oneself and not an avenue for victory over an opponent. Leading into the technique, Heiny Sensei wanted the focus to be on yourself and your own movement. We spent the class working on kosadora iriminage and kosadora tenshinage omote.
After lunch I attended Ikeda Sensei bokkon outdoor class. We worked in pairs and after we practiced some cuts, Sensei shifted the focus of the class. He must have seen too many of us flinching when blocking a shomen bokken cut because Ikeda Sensei then had us practice on not flinching by first having uke do a shomen cut stopping at nage's forehead. The goal of nage was keep the attention and focus soft and see through the cut. Ikeda Sensei then had nage raise the bokken cross-wise and grab the blade which provided an horizontal blocking surface. Uke then cut with a full-speed and power shomen cut onto nage's blade, with the goal being the same to avoid flinching. After a bit that practice, we continued on some straight bokken katas and exercises for the rest of the class.
The second class of the afternoon was an outdoor bokken class taught by George Ledyard Sensei. He started class by saying that the focus would be irimi applications to Keiko from practicing with the bokken. He repeated a couple of exercises from his DVD that apply to nage being engaged and extending attention to stop uke before uke and nage even engage with the bokken. He then pointed out how many people who practice the kumitachi number 4 are not being realistic in their ability to surprise uke in a more realistic engagement. Ledyard Sensei showed the proper way to shift the legs while keeping uke engaged allows for the types of cuts, especially the first cut to the knee in kumitachi 4, by shift the feet in preparation for the full movement of the cut. His class was really great and I very much enjoyed it.
The final class of the evening was taught by Sakakibara Sensei from Arizona Aikido. Sakakibara Sensei also has a judo background, and the katatetori sumitoshi involved a an elbow drop and engagement that reflected his other martial arts training. I had a hard time hearing him but the class was very enjoyable.
Aikido Fall Bridge Seminar - Day 1
Ken and I left Colorado Springs at 6:30 am, we drove all of the way to Prescott AZ and made it in time to dress out for the evening classes that started at 7:30. Each instructor had a shortened half-hour class.
Ikeda Sensei started class by continuing his explanation and demonstration of internal Aikido development. We worked on breaking uke's balance through our own connection with uke as the first step in this process. It is much easier said than done, I had difficultly with a couple of my ukes during the techniques, often I feel a brief connection but then when I tried to move, I reverted back to muscle and I lost connection with uke.
Mary Heiny Sensei taught the second stage of the evening classes. Heiny Sensei expanded more on the importance of Aikido in training oneself, the expansion possibilities of Aikido to transcend mere winning a contest, but that we should work to neutralizing violence, a theme she returned to during subsequent classes. Heiny Sensei had us practice a single technique, kosadori ikkyo, through-out the class with different points of emphasis with different ukes.
Lia Suzuki Sensei from Aikido Kenkyukai in Santa Barbara taught the final class. Suzuki Sensei's style is very flowing and experimental and she demonstrated a katatetori shionnage that had nage step back, trap, and straighen uke's arm, bringing uke around nage's body, for the shihonage pin. This style is similar to a shihonage variation I am more familiar with from hamni-handachi beginning.
After class, Ken and I went back to the dorm and got ready for the full day of Aikido on Friday.
Ikeda Sensei started class by continuing his explanation and demonstration of internal Aikido development. We worked on breaking uke's balance through our own connection with uke as the first step in this process. It is much easier said than done, I had difficultly with a couple of my ukes during the techniques, often I feel a brief connection but then when I tried to move, I reverted back to muscle and I lost connection with uke.
Mary Heiny Sensei taught the second stage of the evening classes. Heiny Sensei expanded more on the importance of Aikido in training oneself, the expansion possibilities of Aikido to transcend mere winning a contest, but that we should work to neutralizing violence, a theme she returned to during subsequent classes. Heiny Sensei had us practice a single technique, kosadori ikkyo, through-out the class with different points of emphasis with different ukes.
Lia Suzuki Sensei from Aikido Kenkyukai in Santa Barbara taught the final class. Suzuki Sensei's style is very flowing and experimental and she demonstrated a katatetori shionnage that had nage step back, trap, and straighen uke's arm, bringing uke around nage's body, for the shihonage pin. This style is similar to a shihonage variation I am more familiar with from hamni-handachi beginning.
After class, Ken and I went back to the dorm and got ready for the full day of Aikido on Friday.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Aikido for 09/07/2010
Ken taught class and because of my prep for the Aikido Bridge Seminar in Prescott, I neglected to write down the specific techniques we worked on.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Aikido for 09/04/2010
Today I taught both the Open and Fundamental Aikido classes, covering for Garry. The first class's focus was surawaz and we practiced the following techniques:
For the second, fundamentals class, I taught the following basic techniques:
- shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura
- katadori nikkyo omote and ura
- shomenuchi sankyo omote and ura
- yokomenuchi kotegasehi
- For the last technique everyone's knees were sore so we practiced it standing up, katadori iriminage ikkyo style opening
For the second, fundamentals class, I taught the following basic techniques:
- kosadori soto-style kokyunage
- kosadori uchi-style kokyunage
- shomenuchi iriminage
- katatedori shihonage omote and ura
Friday, September 3, 2010
Aikido for 09/02/2010
Tip taught class and I was his uke for most of the techniques. I really enjoy being uke because I am constantly moving the entire class with very little rest. Last night we practiced the following techniques:
I enjoyed myself and gained some new insight into my Aikido practice. The new floor is stiffer but I found the mats great to practice on.
Saturday I am teaching both of Garry's classes. I was given a key to the dojo last night and so now I am official.
- katatetori kokyunage multiple variations
- shomenuchi katennage
- katatetori nikkyo, for this nikyo nage steps around to the closed side of uke and then applies a ura-style nikkyo pin to uke's wrist. I was having some difficultly working with Ken because I trying to use too much muscle when I wasn't getting the angle right. Ken then suggest I focus on moving the far shoulder and relax into uke, that small suggestion really transformed how effective and efficient my nikkyo wrist technique works.
- katatetori hijinage
I enjoyed myself and gained some new insight into my Aikido practice. The new floor is stiffer but I found the mats great to practice on.
Saturday I am teaching both of Garry's classes. I was given a key to the dojo last night and so now I am official.
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