End of year wrap-up...

I looked over my 2010 New Year Resolutions and I while I rate myself "successful" for two of them (Aikido practice and increased social life), I failed in regards to improved diet, Japanese language, and painting resolutions. Granted, I wrote these resolutions before all of the changes that occurred in my career and life (accepting a new job and then moving to Colorado Springs) that are not reflected in these resolutions. Two out of five is not great but I have decided to change how are I try to accomplish much of these same goals for 2011 but with a different approach and perspective.

Aikido for 12/23/2010

Tonight Tip taught class and after warming up we worked on the following:

• katatetori kokyunage
• shomenuchi sankyo
• shomenuchi kokyunage two variations
• shomenuchi hijinage
• jo-waza kokyunage
• jo-tori kokyunage
• jo-tori shihonage

Aikido for 10/22/2010

Last night I covered Ken's Aikido fundamental class. Only one new student, Keith, showed up for class. He had practiced Aikido before with a 2nd kyu rank so instead of strictly beginner's class, we worked on the following:

• katatetori iriminage
• katatetori kotegashi (tenshin and irimi variations)
• katatetori ikkyo omote and ura
• Kumitachi number 2
• Kumitachi number 1

Tonight's Aikido class with Tip will likely be my last Aikido class of the year. 2010 has been a good year of Aikido but while I thought I would be testing for my shodon, that looks like it will hopefully be a 2011 event. Long ago I resigned myself to the situation in my Aikido practice that my own ranking is on a different time scale than most people. It takes me about three-four years for every year that most people progress in their Aikido rank. With that realization, my own growth in Aikido is not not necessarily stalled but the social and cultural legacy of the "black-belt" makes it feel that I the slow kid on the mat, that I am not good enough or some other reason why I can't seem to even get the chance to test. I realize that most of the reasons why I haven't tested yet are external to my Aikido, it is just getting old and I do have some frustration that it has taken me so long to test.

Aikido for 10/21/2010

Last night I was the guest instructor for Ken's class. Only two students showed up although we had two other visitors observe practice. After warming-up, we practiced the following techniques:

• shomenuchi nikkyo omote and ura
• shomenuchi shihonage omote and ura. For the shihonage, I realized too late that we really don't practice this from a static start. I modified it so nage absorbs the attack and redirects from the hips, a much more advanced technique than I realized

Aikido for 12/14/2010

For tonight's class Ken had a visiting instructor, Bill, from Boulder Aikikai teach. After warming up we worked on the following techniques:

• katatetori kokyunage
• katatetori ikkyo omote and ura
• shomenuchi ikkyo omote

It was a good class and I enjoyed myself.

Aikido for 12/11/2010

For Saturday morning's class, Garry had us practice kumitachi 1-5. It helped to go over all of them and practice some more. I feel more comfortable but I still need practice.

Friday night I went over to Cossitt Gym and waited fifteen minutes but nobody showed up for class. I did receive an e-mail the next day from one of the student's who couldn't attend. This week I'll be in Denver Thursday and Friday for training so I doubt I'll be able to make it back to Colorado Springs in time for class. I'll try to reschedule Saturday night.

Aikido for 12/07/2010

Tonight Ken started class with a warm-up and we worked on the first couple of the 13 tai chi movements. It is enjoyable and a good warm-up for the rest of class. Tonight we worked on breaking uke's balance, a kazitza(and my Japanese and memory are at fault here). We started from katatetori kokyunage and then worked in a dynamic attack that Ken had the five of us practice in a line. We worked on a number of different variations before ending with a munetsuki with a quick JKD-like entry to an iriminage. Good stuff.

Aikido for 12/03/2010

Friday night it was just Cory and myself so I introduced kumtachi number one and number two. Cory showed me and we also practice a 13-bokken kata that I enjoyed learning as well.

Aikido for 12/02/2010

Thursday night Tip taught class. We worked on a number of kokyunages and at the end of class we worked on kumitachi number one.