Aikido for 12/28/2011

Aikido for Tuesday's class, Ken continued his practice from last Tuesdah's week with a shift from the shomen, overhead strike to first a side-yokomen to more of a left-or-right hook. We spent most of this great class working on this movement and kuseshi or breaking uke's balance after throwing a right or left hook. During this kinds of classes I think it would be some valuable cross training to work out and learn some traditional western-style boxing just because of fast and effective quick fist work is inside. Good class.

Aikido for 12/21/2011

Aikido class for Tuesday was taught by Ken and there was just Garry, Craig (a new beginner), and myself. After warm-ups we worked on overhead strikes starting from shomen but bringing out the portable mats so we could practice as near full-strength. I miss-judged the distance a couple of times and ended up getting hit directly in the face a couple of times but then we moved to shomen techniques with a nage working on kuszeshi (breaking-balance) after uke attacks with stronger and dedicated shomen attack.

Aikido for 12/17/2011

Garry taught the open class and after warm-ups (unusual as we normally go straight into practice) but since I had asked we work on break-falls, we spent the first half-hour of the class doing break-fall exercises before moving into the 4th kyu testing techniques including yokomenuchi kotegashi omote and ura, yokomenuchi yonkyo, ryo-katatetori shihonage. Garry suggested for those techniques that uke was comfortable with, that uke take break-fall. I was able to get in some great break-fall practice working with Clint, Ty, Tommy, and Ken along with Ty's and Tommy's younger brothers. Good change of pace and a enjoyable, but bruise inducing class!

Aikido for 12/15/2011

Tip taught class and after warm-ups, we worked on a number of different techniques where nage steps back and brings the grabbed hand for katatetori up and to throw uke either for a kokyunage, shihonage, or an iriminage. We finished class by working jo kata number 1.

Aikido for 12/13/2011

Ken taught the open class and since it was just Garry and I, we worked on more advanced kuseshi or balance taking practice where from various type of direct tsuki, starting from the mid-section and then moving to more short jabs and straight punches to the face, nage's goal was to move either back or to the side while usually bringing the inside hand to block and breaking uke's balance. Good class and good training.

Aikido for 12/10/2011

I taught the Open Aikido class on Saturday and given the students who were present, I decided to go through the 4th kyu testing requirements as a review and to give those who would be testing next more practice on these specific techniques.

Aikido for 12/08/2011

Tip wasn't able to teach Thursday's class so I volunteered to teach. During warm-ups and since there was only Garry, Ken, Nate, and Clint in attendance, I decided to follow Garry's suggestion to have everyone teach at least one technique. So after doing our standard katatetori kokyunage tenkan and irimi techniques; Clint started off with doing shomenuchi ikkyo. Nate followed with a neat exercise where nage lead uke with a light touch through katatetori shihonage omote and ura. I followed with a tsuki iriminage. Garry's technique was a yokokymenuchi technique with Ken doing a different type of kokyunage. We came back to Clint who finished off the night with a tsuki kotegashi. I worked with Ken on the kotegashi and we did a variation from Steven Seagal movie. Cool stuff and although at times I felt off a bit, a good class.

Aikido for 12/06/2011

Ken taught class and after warm-ups, we worked on katatetori kokyunage tenkan and irimi before working on a couple of different kokyunages and other techniques before we practiced a randori with shinahs. Nage's role was just to get out of the way of the shomen strikes with shinah but be aware of the other uke's attacking. Getting hit with the shinah doesn't hurt that much, more of a sting but the bamboo sword still increases the intensity of the training and is a good to reveals the shortcomings and sloppy movements. If you bend over or lean back, it is harder to move in a different direction and with other uke's coming in, that delay usually results in getting hit. On my second randori, I moved into an uke's strike too soon and got git across my left temple, stinging but not a direct blow but still showing that gap in my movement and awareness. These exercises are good training.

Aikido for 12/3/2011

Yesterday for the Open Aikido class, Garry started off with warm-ups (which is somewhat unusual for him on Saturday). We had a larger class with over nine people there including Ken and myself. We then practiced the following:

• katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• katatetori irimi kokyunage
• ushiro ryokatatetori sankyo
• ushiro ryokatatetori kokyunage
• tsuki tantodori gokyo
• We finished class working on Saotome Sensei's exercise where uke is solid with a forward punch and nage lightly touches the fist, connects with uke's center and then moves to either side followed by second uke grasping the first uke and then nage needs to move both

A good class and I am glad to see more people attending classes.

Aikido for 11/29/2011

My primary spiritual practice is Aikido

Tuesday night Ken taught with Garry and Tip and myself. I believe this was the first time we had just a yundasha class, just by-happenstance, but one of the best Aikido classes I have been priveleged to attend in a while. After warm-ups, Ken had us spend some time with a very strong uke in the tenkan exercise. I worked with Ken on this exercise and it was so illuminating in my own techinque. We all know the tricks and so our Aiki had to be present to move and interact with uke. Ken is very powerful and strong, so my Aiki needed martial and physical intent to break his balance and complete the movement with my body.

Since Ken first returned from his Tai Chi Week-long Seminar, his emphysis on the nine-staff metaphor, of generating power building from the earth through the feet visualizing your body connecting the various parts of the body to the forward hand. We spent some time working on pushing uke with this technique and I could feel the power transfer through to my final push to throw uke.

This upcoming weekend, I'm being formally welcomed into the Colorado Springs Friends Meeting here with a potluck (formality and Quakers in the same sentence is somewhat incongruent). While thinking about this public acceptance and acknowledgement by the Friends here in the Springs is special and important, I realized that Aikido is really my primary spiritual practice and has been for some time but is easily accommodated by being a Quaker within the local and national Friends organizations. It is a false dichotomy to think that a person has to follow a disjoint life when it comes to religion and spirituality, that one choice fulfills every need. That may be the case for many, but for me, practicing Aikido and being a Quaker is harmonious and complementary both sets of values and community are important and valuable.

Aikido for 11/22/2011

Ken taught class and after warm-ups, we first spent some time on ukemi and tenkan movements as we had a visitor who hadn't practiced for over ten years. We then worked on the following techniques:

• katatetori kokuynage tenkan
• katatetori kokyunage irmi

Aikido for 11/19/2011

When I arrived at the dojo this morning, Nate said that Garry called and was sick so I agreed to teach the open class. After warm-ups, I wanted to work on moritetori kokyunages today, with six different variations including ikkyo omote and ura styles, and hijinage variations. I finished class with us working on three person bokken katas Saotome Sensei showed us at the Fall Seminar last month. Tip arrived to teach the fundamental class so I didn't have to teach.

Aikido for 11/17/2011

Tip taught class and after warm-ups we worked on a number of techniques including kokyunages, ikkyo, and other pins. We finished class with kumitachi number two.

Aikido for 11/15/2011

Ken taught class and it was just me and Tom, a student I haven't seen in while. After warm-ups, Tom asked if we could practice ukemi, so we got out the blue mat and then practice forward ukemi and backward ukemi for a while and then we started doing techniques with the focus on ukemi. We practiced the following techniques:

• katatetori shihonage omote
• katatetori iriminage
• katatetori tenkan kokyunage

Although there were only three of us, I enjoyed practice (pretty much as always, it is a rare Aikido class that isn't enjoyable for me) and I can always work on my ukemi. I find that if I skip practice for whatever reason for more than a couple of days, the first area that I usually notice where I'm rusty is doing usually forward ukemi. One of the most important things about Aikido is the first to slip.

Aikido for 11/12/2011

The past week was limited in my Aikido practice. On Thursday, I got an email from Tip asking if I could cover Thursday class for him; I agreed when I arrived for class, nobody showed up so I left after waiting around for 15 minutes.

For Saturday morning's open class, Garry started class with weapons work using the bokken. We worked on shomen cuts and on shomen cuts with movement followed by kumtachi number 1. After the weapons, we practiced the following techniques with a focus on following through with the elbow instead of the hand:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori sankyo omote
• katatetori shihonage omote
• katatetori shomenuchi ikkyo omote

In related news, Sunday night I purchased my plane tickets to San Diego for January's Aikido Bridge Seminar. Ken and I are going to be roommates and I am getting more excited about my trip in a couple of months.

Aikido for 11/08/2011

Tuesday night it was just Ken and I who showed up for class. We worked on a couple of kokyunages and Ken talked about his experiences at the Tai Chi camp he attended last week. He showed how the Tai Chi master talked about using the ground to push off from and conntecting through the joints of the body to build up power to the hands and arms using the 9-link staff as a metaphor of working up through the leg joins, through the torso and spine, to through the shoulder, arm, and then hand. I found just that one observation helpful in my Aikido practice.

Aikido for 11/5/2011

For the open Aikido class, Garry had us work on many of the techniques and exercises Saotome Sensei had us work on during Saturday's class at the fall seminar. What I found useful and helpful is that Garry has a  different perspective and his insights to the techniques. I learned I was not connecting correctly in a jo-extension exercise and to line-up my hips with the my grasping hand to uke's jo I was able to move uke much easier.

Last Wednesday I arrived at the dojo to cover Ken's fundementals class and unfortunately, no one showed up so I left after twenty minutes. On Thursday I arrived to class and it was just Tip and I so we cancelled class because he had some things to do. We need to look at ways to increase our numbers at the dojo. We will be having an instructor's meeting soon to discuss more ways we attract and retain the Aikido students.

Aikido for 10/29/2011

I covered classes for Garry and although the day was beautiful, only four students showed up for the open class at 10:30. During warm-ups, I introduced some of the basic footwork from my time at CIA, and then we worked on katatetori ikkyo and nikkyo, shomenuchi ikkyo, shomenuchi iriminage, and other techniques from the 5th and 6th kyu test requirements.

No one showed up for the second fundamentals class so I was able to leave early.

Aikido for 10/25/2011

Ken taught class and we worked on a number of different techniques. Towards the end of class, Ken had us practice blocking and redirecting with the bokken and he showed how I was doing a block/blending movement incorrectly, and how I need to bring down my lower hand to bring the bokken to ready position, I was being to aggressive and not letting the movement naturally flow. I am always more aggressive when I am using weapons, the implied threat of a weapon brings a different budo spirit and it helps to be taught ways I can soften my weapons work. Good class.

Aikido for 10/22/2011

For Saturday's Open and Fundamentals classes, I covered teaching for Garry. After warming up in Open class, I decided to go over some 5th and 6th kyu test techniques.

• Kata dori ikkyo omote and ura
• Kata dori nikkyo omote and ura
• Yokomenuchi iriminage omote and ura
• Yokomenuchi ikkyo omote and two ura variations

We had a large class with some beginners so it was good to work on this basic keiko.

There was only two students for the Fundamentals class so after warm-ups and plenty of ukemi practice, we worked on katetori shihonage along with some basic bokken shomen and yokomen cuts. Both classes were enjoyable to teach. 

Aikido for 10/20/2011

When I arrived at the dojo, I saw Tip in the parking lot. He injured his foot the night before and asked if I could cover class. So instead of Tip's class, I taught. After warm-ups, I decided to focus the first part of class on the inward spiril variation that Saotome Sensei taught on Saturday. We worked on these techniques from last Saturday's class:

• katatetori kokyunage 2 variations
• katatetori ikkyo omote and ura
• katatetori katennage
• surawazi ushrio ryo-katatori kokyunage 3 variations, the last being of particular interest where nage being pulled from behind while in sitting in sezia, rolls back and brings both feet and clamps around uke's nake and then rocks forward and throws uke

This was a good refresher from this past weekend's seminar. I remembered more than I thought and it was good to work on these techniques. I am covering Garry's Saturday's classes so I'll be able to work on some of the bokken katas.

Aikido for 10/18/2011

At Aikido class on Tuesday night, Ken suggested after warm-ups that each of us who had attended the past weekend seminar with Saotome Sensei go over a particular technique. I was first and choose the iriminage variation and kaeshiwaza irimnages techniques from Sunday's class. Garry had us work on the Saotome Sensei's jo extension and movement techniques from Saturday's class including the kaitenage. Ken followed with similar exercises from Saturday. A great and quiet way to reflect on the mat the experiences from this weekend.

Boulder Aikikai Fall Seminar Day 3

One Eye on the Choices, One Eye on the Risks

The first class on Sunday started with more advanced training by Saotome Sensei, including an iriminage-to-shihonage kaeshiwaza, iriminage-to-ikkyo kaeshiwaza, and a few tsuki-to-kokyunage kaeshiwazas as well. Saotome Sensei emphasized that this type of training is only for higher ranks because of beginners need to understand and know basic keiko, the techniques towards understanding the principles of aiki. Saotome Sensei continued his discussions on aiki, that ki is not magic but the most basic energy of everything, that communication at its most basic of connection or aiki. The sub-title from this post comes from the general immersion in budo and bujutsu I feel directly from Saotome Sensei. The older I get and the more I train in Aikido, my budo is expanding and deepening and every moment I spend on the mat learning, listening, and training with Saotome Sensei, I feel a great honor and a responsibility to the future of our art.

To be, to live, the first goal of any martial art. - Saotome Sensei.

Boulder Aikikai Fall Seminar Day 2

This morning I made sure to leave in plenty of time so I wouldn't be late to class. When I arrived, I saw everyone with their bokken, so I was glad I brought my weapons to class. After warm-ups by Tres Hofiemester Sensei, Saotome Sensei started with a question holding up his bokken; what do we imagine this to be in our practice? A sword, and what is a sword? A simple tool. He then talked about in our modern society we have lost the connection between our daily activities (eating, sewing, hand-writing notes, etc.), supplemented by our technology of convenience. In warfare, the same trends continue, the complexity of the many, many, ways we can kill each other is contrasted with the simplicity of the sword.

Why aren't there contests or competition in budo? Because, as Saotome Sensei said, bad swordsman only last the first encounter. The trophy in budo is your opponents head! Practicing Aiki-kendo improves our open-handed techniques. Beside working on paired bokken techniques, we practiced a number of techniques with two uke attacking nage in the center. Weapon training improves the open-hand technique.

After the break, Saotome Sensei continued with the previous night kokyunages with the more direct irimi movement to disrupt and throw uke from tsuki attack. Saotome Sensei for a few different techniques, had us move multiple ukes, much like many of the techniques we practiced at summer camp this year.

Normally, I go out to lunch with fellow Aikidora, but today because of Casie, I drove back to Broomfield for lunch with my sister and my nieces. Coming back to class, we brought our jo. I was thinking we would repeat the morning's focus on paired weapon practice, but instead we focused on jo-tori techniques. Saotome Sensei demonstrated how by twisting either in or out, nage moves uke with a spiral movement. After we practiced a number of different jo-tori.

The final class of the day, Saotome Sensei continued with direct kokyunages from tsuki. A very good and full day of Aikido training.

Boulder Aikikai Fall Seminar Day 1

Ki is not Magic

Friday afternoon I left work at noon, picked my dog Casie, and then drove to the dojo to pick-up Jack for the drive up to Boulder with a stop-off at my sister's house in Broomfield to drop-off Casie. We left at 3:30 which I thought would give us enough cushion to make to class in time. When driving on I-25 North at the outskirts of Denver, we hit stop-and-go traffic and it took us over an hour and half to get to my sister's house. It takes at least twenty minutes from my sister's place so it was six o'clock when we arrived at Boulder Aikikai.

After paying the seminar fee, I rushed into the dressing room, put on my gi and hakama as fast as I could (you can't go too fast with all of the strap tieing, if you don't do it right, you'll spend the entire class fussing and adjusting which distracts from the Aikido). Warm-ups had just finished and Saotome Sensei was demonstrating the first technique, an irimi-entry kokyu-ho. As the class progressed, we worked on this and other related kokyunages for the rest of the class but what was more enlightening and meaningful for me was Saotome's lectures during the technique demonstrations. Saotome Sensei talked more about ki, and how ki is not magic but just the energy that exists in all living things. Our individual ki is courage, wisdom, and when we communicate and connect with another being, that is aiki. During on technique training, I was working with Jun from Boulder and she pointed out that I was moving to the side instead of a more direct throat atemi. This was one example of why it is so valuable to train at seminar's because you get the opportunity to learn from much more experienced sempi who notice often small details in your own technique and movement that you may not recognize.

His humor combined with excellent Aikido and presence is really an honor and a privilege to be on the mat with Saotome Sensei.

Aikido for 10/06/2011

Tip taught class last night and after warm-ups we worked on the following techniques:

• katatetori kokyunage uchi style
• katatetori iriminage
• katatetori shihonage

We finished class with some weapons work. Good class.

Aikido for 10/04/2011

Last night at Aikido, Ken start with warm-ups and then we did usual katatetori kokyunage tenkan and katatetori kokyunage irimi exercises/techniques. Ken then brought a couple of foam punching mat that nage held while uke practicing first the quick, short jab at full speed. We then switched to a sumitoshi technique where nage just blocked uke's quick jab to the side before moving in and sinking, throwing uke with the sumitoshi technique. The second part of class we worked on straight jab with the shoulder's rolling through. With the straight jab it is easier to bring uke in for a kokyunage. Another great class from Ken.

Aikido for 10/01/2011

Today for the open class, Garry continued from last Saturday's focus on uke's ukemi and in particular, the follow-through intention by uke when first grabbing nage's outstretched hand. We started right away with the static solid grab by uke to train nage's movement. As Garry kept mentioning, in a more realistic attack, uke is not going to come and just grab the wrist and try to hold nage as this is strategically unsound by uke because nage has free use of the other hand from a counter-strike. We worked on the following techniques with that intention and ukemi training by uke.

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori kokyunage irimi
• katatetori shihonage ura with uke pushing through with the nage's outstretched hand
• katatetori kokyunage when uke pulls and away from nage, nage follows the movement through and steps for a kokyunage throw more by body position
• katateroi hijinage where uke pulls and nage swings around to the outside and around uke's wrist to elbow or shoulder for the take-down
• We then did two free-style (jiawaza) katatetoris where uke first either pushes or pulls with the first grab and nage responds accordingly, the second added a third attack where uke tries to keep nage solid and static like we practice with opening techniques.
• We finished class with kokyu tanden-ho

Aikido for 09/29/2011

Tonight Tip taught class and after warm-ups and tenkan and irimi exercises we worked on the following techniques:

• kosadori ikkyo omote and ura 2 variations with the second variation nage instead of going into uke, nage moves sharply with hip with a much smaller circle with the grabbed wrist. I found I had to be more abrupt with my hip movement in order to generate the necessary energy for an effective throw.
• kosadori sankyo omote
• kosadori nikkyo omote and ura
• kosadori gokyu-style kokyunage, Ken and I were working together and he pointed out some subtleties involving angles and movement that I missed being uke during Tip's demonstration of the technique.
• We then switched to paired jo practice that replicate the first few movements of the 13-jo kata
• jo kata number with two different variations, both variations involving uke to take ether back or forward ukemi

Tonight was a good class and I realize I need to be better and writing my Aikido practice blog posting closer to when the class actually happened. Even a couple days the memory of that particular Aikido practice starts blend and fade to this corprus of many, many hours practicing Aikido.

Aikido for 09/27/2011

For class on Tuesday night, we worked again on nage's timing and movement to enter and disrupt uke's balance during a forward attack. Katatetori kokyunage tenkan and katatetori kokyunage irimi followed by kosadori kokyunage ikkyo style.. Ended class with movement exercises with the shinai, where uke does a shomen cut and nage slide and steps in and does a tenkai movement to either side of the shinahi to get out of the way. The last technique we practiced was a kotegaeshi weapon takeaway with the shinai shomen attack. I felt the enter focus (I was moving my head out of the way the incoming attack instead of shifting my hips to the side to avoid the attack) helps with this important concept of Aikido, namely irimi.

Aikido for 09/25/2011

For Saturday's open class, Garry started off right away with katatetori kokyunage tenkan. For the rest of the class we worked katatetori kokyunage irimi, katatetori kokyunage tenkan, or katatetori sumitosi with focus through out on uke providing progressively harder attacks with nage becoming sensitive and moving to disrupt uke's balance. I enjoyed the class and the budo training was excellent.

Aikido for 09/22/2011

When I arrived for Thursday's class at the dojo, it turned out to be just Ken and I. There was a couple checking out the dojo so instead of just cancelling class, Ken and I put on an Aikido demonstration for about a half-hour. Just to be sure I wasn't gun shy from Tuesday's throat injury (which still hurt and my voice was still recovering) I took some faster and harder ukemi than Tuesday night, this time making sure to protect my neck.

Aikido for 09/20/2011

Tuesday night Ken taught class and after warm-ups we worked on improving uke's attack. We first started off with katatetori attack where like in previous classes, uke's movement is not just statically grab nage's wrist but was moving to a follow-up strike, either to nage's face or mid-section. Uke, with the wrist grab, is trying to move the hand out of the way either into nage or nage's side. Nage, in response, can either move into uke's space and catch the grab earlier disrupting uke's intent for the second phase of the attack, or nage steps back and through movement disrupts uke's balance through nage's body position. The timing on these attacks was important as uke is able to land the second punch or keep balance then the technique does not work. Good class although I was attacking nage and he responded with a strong and solid attack and caught the side of my throat and I felt my windpipe compress. I had a hard time breathing for a bit, my neck is brused, and later that night when we went to OC for beer because of Doug visiting, I started to lose my voice.

Aikido for 09/17/2011

I taught both the Open and Fundamentals classes yesterday at the dojo. For the Open class, Doug (who has been working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan) was visiting and we had three other students. After warm-ups, we worked on the following techniques:

• katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• hamni-handachi katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• ushiro ryo-katatetori iriminage two variations
• ushiro ryo-katatetori shihonage omote and ura
• ushiro ryo-katatetori ikkyo omote
• ushiro ryo-katatetori jujinage omote

For the open class, we started with warm-ups and then after tenkan and irimi exercises, we worked on ukemi and katatetori ikkyo.

Aikido for 09/15/2011

Tip was back and taught the open class tonight. After warmups, we worked on katatetori kokyunage tenkan, katatetori kokyunage irimi, We then practiced the following technqiues:

• moritetori kokyunage with nage moinv uke from the uhip and then up to nage's head and turn tenkan for the throw
• moritetori ikkyo omote and ura
• moritetori nikkyo omote
• moritetori sankyo omote
• moritetori reverse kotegashi

We then worked on a number of different jo dori (jo takeaways) a couple variations to uke's inside, one to uke's outside, and the final nage steps straight back and pulls uke off-balance before throwing. A good class and practice.

Aikido for 09/13/2011

Ken taught class tonight and after warmups, we first worked on katateori attack followed quickly by the other punch to the face with a number of different kokyunages. We then switched to shomenuchi with a more committed attack and worked through a variety of different kokyunages

Aikido for 09/10/2011

Yesterday for the open class, Garry started right off with katatetori kokyunage tenkan followed by the katatetori kokyunage irimi. Garry's classes are always interesting because he demonstrates and has us practice uncommon techniques, either I have seen rarely or never and Saturday's open class was no exception with a couple of different variations from a shomen attack and some unusual pins.

Aikido for 08/25/2011

Tip taught class and after warm-ups we worked on variaty of techniques including some from Summer Camp. A good class and I got a good work-out as well.

Aikido for 09/08/2011

Tonight for Aikido class, I was scheduled to teach but Bill Howard stopped by and he graciously agreed to teach class. His Aikido is very strong and solid and I have enjoyed seeing his own Aikido change over the few years I have know him and it was great to have him teach tonight. After warm-ups, Bill started off with katatetori tenkan kokyunage with the emphasis on nage relaxing and becoming heavy and soft to throw uke. When Bill was working with me, I noticed and then explained how nage's body position and foot-work turns around the line of attack and then shifts over about a foot-length into uke's space which also has the effect of moving nage's hip and body into uke, further disrupting uke's balance. We worked on katatetori ikkyo variations leading to different ikkyo reversals by uke and nage, ending up with a final nage wrist pin or arm-bar. A good class and I learned more than if I had to teach.

Aikido for 09/06/2011

Tonight's class was taught by Ken. Jack and I were the only students and so Ken taught a new type of class. Instead of a structured warm-up, Ken had us do a free-from warm-up and then for class he had us first focus on a katatetori grab followed with a punch with the other hand. The first technique involved just a nage tenkan to get out of the way. We worked on some variations with an increase of the attack intensity and speed. The second technique was from a shomen attack with the nage first sliding in irimi, followed with a irimi-nage. We then did the same sequence from a munetsuki attack but with the final technique being a kokyunage with nage dropping uke with a drop to the back. This was a enjoyable class of budo training; Ken's insightful comment was in Aikido nage needs to react to aggression with an expansion of self and not retract into a more traditional defensive instinctual posture/

Aikido for 08/30/2011

Tonight for Aikido class Ken after warm-ups, had us work on dynamic opening for the katatetori and kosadori attacks where uke takes a step back and then steps forward for the grab and uke then follows through with a strike. We then worked on the following techniques from this dynamic opening.

• katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• katatetori tenshinage omote
• kosadori ikkyo kokyunage
• kosadori ikkyo kokyunage a couple of variations including one where nage steps back and throws uke
• kokyunage iriminage omote

Tonight was good class. I felt like a beginner multiple times, I was just not getting what Ken was showing us. I focused on the new movements but internally was clumsy and awkward.

Today was an emotional day; the start of the school year and with it, multiple new beginnings and I would say closures and openings in my own perspectives as I adjust to reality. Reality adjustment and introspection, also works as two Aikido descriptors.

Aikido for 08/27/11

Garry taught class and we started right away with katatetori kokyunage tenkan and katatetori kokyunage irimi. Garry's classes are always good because he does a good job of mixing up the techniques and budo training.

Aikido for 08/24/2011

Wednesday night I covered Ken's fundamentals class at 6:30. Only two students showed up; Jack and Noah, a 11-12 year-old from the Youth class who has been given the okay to start attending adult classes. After warm-ups, I decided to focus on moritori techniques tonight. We then practiced the following:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori kokyunage irimi
• moritori ikkyo omote and ura
• moritori iriminage two variations
• moritori nikkyo omote

Aikido for 08/23/2011

Last night I covered Ken's class. Since there was just Jack and Tip, I decided to go through the 6th kyu techniques as that would be Jack's first test. We practiced the following in line:

• shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura
• shomenuchi iriminage
• munetsuki kotegashi
• katatetori shihonage omote and ura

At the end of class, we worked on kumitachi number one.

Aikido for 08/20/2011

For today's class, Garry started right away with katatetori kokyunage tenkan followed by katatetori kokyu-ho irimi. We then worked ryo-katatetori tenshinnage omote first from static and then dynamic. Garry then had us shift to then doing the tenshin movement by bring nage's hands in parallel to the body instead of extending into uke's space for the traditional movement of tenshinage. We then moved to slight variation were nage steps back and throws uke for a kokyunage. I enjoyed today's focus and I had a good practice.

Aikido for 08/18/2011

Last night I taught class, covering for Tip because he had to go up to his cabin. I've been in a contrarian mood with my Aikido because classes at the dojo have lately been focused on internal aiki development, very much influenced by all of the great teaching at summer camp. While it is good training for more advanced classes, in class there was a beginner and Tony, back for his first class after a few month hiatus, I decided to focus on basic 6th kyu techniques. For the last exercise during warm-ups, I introduced the first form from the Dr. Yang Yang's Evidenced-based Taiji and QiGong DVD because I had an idea on how to use that movement later in class.

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori kokyu-ho irimi
• katatetori shihonage omote and ura
• munetsuki kotegashi two variations
• front-choke double-atemi kokyunage - the last technique came from the applications section in the Taiji DVD I have been watching. As nage is being choked by uke, nage brings both wrists up in the floating movement to do a double atemi, the variation I introduced then involved nage cutting up and down and turning tenkai to throw uke. It was a more difficult technique that I still need to refine the timing on.

The simplified 7-form Taiji on Dr. Yang's DVD has been on heavy rotation since I got it last week. I try to practice the form twice a day and the movements have helped me settle along with QiGong meditation forms.

Aikido for 08/16/2011

With tonight's class Ken focused was on nage taking uke's balance. After warmups, we worked on katateotri exercises where nage straightens his posture while connected to uke and just focuses on nage's posture and moving from the center. This built upon what Troy Farrow Sensei was teaching at summer camp.

Good class and afterwards, we went out to Old Chicago for beer and food.

Aikido for 08/13/2011

On Saturday, Garry taught class ... We started off class with katatetori kokyunage tenkan.

We then spent the rest of class working on nage movement and extension of ki, first from katatetori we worked on just breaking uke's balance from both static and dynamic grab from uke. We then moved to a static shomen strike with nage trying to blend early into uke's strike and then breaking uke's balance through an ikkyo technique to the ground. This class was beneficial and continues to re-enforce much of what the dojo has been working on since summer camp.

Aikido for 08/09/2011

Tonight Bradley taught his first Aikido class. After warm-ups, he had us work on the Kevin Choate Sensei's steel chain exercises from summer camp where two people hold either end of the chain and one person drops the end of the chain and the other relaxes and lets the chain fall. We then moved onto uke pushing down on nage's shoulder with one hand and nage just tries to relax with the same movement from the chain and disrupt uke's balance. We then moved to katatetori exercise with the same relaxing movement. A good class.

Aikido for 08/06/2011

On Saturday I taught the Open Class and decided to review a few techniques from Saotome Sensei's classes at Summer Camp. After warming-up, I introduced my attempts at moving first a single uke with uke holding a jo with both hands in front of them and then nage moves uke with a light touch. The next exercise nage moves multiple ukes with the same effort. This was followed by both single and multiple ukes where uke is holding the jo above uke's head and the remaining ukes line up behind the uke holding the jo. We then did the same exercise with the lead uke holding the jo in standard stance and nage tries to move uke(s) with just a finger or a light hand touch.

The last part of the class, we worked on a number of the two uke bokken katas where nage side steps and cuts down the first uke before turning and finishing off the second uke.

The inspiration for this class was Saotome Sensei's statement on the last class of camp; "Aikido always assumes multiple attackers".

Aikido for 08/04/2011

Tonight I covered Aikido for Tip and during warm-ups I explained to the class that I would be tieing tonight's various techniques from instruction I received over the Aikido Summer camp around a single theme, ikkyo.

From Farrow Sensei's morning class I showed how lining up the spine and improving the posture allows for an katatetori ikkyo that follows along nage's center axis. I then switched to Hofmeister Sensei's surawaza ikkyo uke-and-nage connection exercise and repeated Hofmeister Sensei's observations that "You don't do Aikido to someone else; Aikido is not done to you".

Next, we practiced Doran Sensei's katatetori ikkyo with emphasis on nage's turning the grabbed hand palm-up and thrusting into uke, forcing uke's elbow up for the ikkyo application with nage's other hand.

Finally, I related Saotome Sensei's account of some senior students coming back from traveling to O'Sensei's dojo. Asked if they had been practicing ikkyo; they replied they didn't need to because they had "master it". O'Sensei laughed and said that "Ikkyo is a lifetime technique". I then showed a couple finer points of ikkyo that Saotome Sensei showed us; including the danger of an uke's reversal with a groin strike or leg sweep if nage tries a straight take-down. I also showed the old-style ikkyo pin that Saotome Sensei showed during a technique demonstration.

Aikido for 08/02/2011

Tuesday's night class was the first back from summer camp and Ken focused on a number of the key points that each of the sensei and shihan emphasis ed, primarily focused on breaking uke's balance and nage maintain posture through-out the techniques. One of my best friends, Floyd, was visiting me from Salt Lake City and he came to class to observe his first Aikido class. Since we have known each other (almost 8 years now!) I always talk about Aikido and so it was cool to have him actually attend a good class.

After Aikido; Ken, Floyd, and I went and ate dinner at Tako. Floyd and I had the sushi special and Ken had a role and it was good visiting with them both.

Aikido Summer Camp 2011 Day 6

The early morning class was taught by Marc Reeder Sensei. In his class, he had us practice some basic katatetori kokyunages first with a hand and then we tried with just a finger connection to uke. Reeder Sensei spoke about three principles he has been training on: 1. Compression -- like Choate Sensei's instruction of collapsing the internal structure of nage that helps ground nage and if uke is connected, breaking uke's balance. 2. Ground path -- after contact with uke, nage grounds the energy connection with uke and transferring energy to the nages feet and unbalancing uke. 3. Connection to uke -- after compression and ground path, nage needs to keep that connection in order not to lose the ground path for the technique.

The second class of the day was taught by Doran Sensei. Continuing from his previous classes at camp, Doran Sensei had us start with nage footwork being a step with back foot that meets the forward and then stepping back at an angle and extending into uke. Following that opening, nage steps around and thrusts the grabbed hand palm up towards uke's face that then raises uke's elbow. From that same opening we practiced ikkyo, nikkyo, and sankyo. Then with the just first part of opening, we did an a couple of kokyunages and an iriminage.

For Saotome Sensei's class, he had everyone bring bokkens. He then explained that he was going through a number of katas for "sendo-tachi" or battlefield techniques. Nage is the middle with an uke in the front and an uke in the back. For the first kata, the first uke strikes shomen, nage -- starting in gaidan--, brings the sword up and in the same movement cuts down over the top of uke's bokken for a throat to groin straight cut. Nage then turns tenkan and performs the same technique to the attacking second uke's shomen cut. We through a number of variations including nage doing a belly cut initially and then coming over the top for a shomen cut on the second uke. A couple of the katas involved nage turning tenkan and attacking the uke that is behind first and then doing another cut on the first uke.

The forth class of the day was taught by Hofmeister Sensei. We started off from where we left off yesterday with surawaza shomenuchi ikkyo with active engagement by uke who follows nage's lead but nage doesn't force uke into any position but lets the technique flow from uke's force and energy. We worked on this technique for a while with different points of emphasis until we switched to standing technique. The type of exercises we were doing was not application (meaning it is not intended to be used in violent situation) but more for developing the sensitivity of nage towards uke. Again, Hofmeister Sensei said that uke is not a sack of meat, but a real human and our practice should reflect that human connection. At the the end of class, Hofmeister Sensei reiterated the two statements he made earlier in the week: 1. You don't do Aikido to someone. 2. Aikido is not done to you.

The last class of the day was taught by Saotome Sensei and was all jo katas and techniques. As he joked at the start of class this was "old-man" Aikido. Interesting, Saotome Sensei did not use a regular jo but his own walking stick in demonstrating the techniques. Most of what we did today was various paired jo katas with nage performing a number of different chokes or throws after nage's atemi to midsection, knee, or groin or alternatively, blocking uke's jo and then doing the technique. He had us also practice some jo exercises with swinging the jo around, alternating between hands -- it was a little bit nerve wracking being in the middle of the mat with people practicing with their jo all around. A good class and the a fitting end to a great week of training. Tomorrow is just the morning two classes by Doran and Saotome Sensei.

Aikido Summer Camp 2011 Day 5

The first class this morning was taught by Jud Blitzer Sensei from Boulder. Her focus today was a continuation of the communication theme and she had us do a number of different exercises, including one where uke and nage are in seiza facing each other. Uke raises up on their knees and collapses on nage, essentially a bear hug and then nage turned and gently guide uke to the ground. The pace of the class was slow and easy, good for the early morning.

Choate Sensei taught the second class of the day. While he did bring out the chain again to illustrate a couple of points, the main focus of the class was about nage's movement and response to uke. During a katatetori kokyunage for example, Choate Sensei emphasized that it uke that determines the technique by their attack and nage needs to response by where the movement and technique is taking both. He also made the point that we shouldn't be afraid to "kick them when they are down" meaning that nage should use their feet or legs for short kicks if uke is already down in that area. We also practiced a shomenuchi kotegashi and shomenuchi ikkyo.

The third class taught by Doran Sensei continued his emphasis on nage's movement that will naturally disrupt uke's balance. After tenkan and irimi exercises, we worked on yokomenuchi shihonage omote and ura with variations. We then worked on yokomenuchi iriminage variations including a blocking variation that Doran Sensei's point was not directly block but slide out and atemi to create a space to throw uke. Nage's striking hand then goes underneith uke's arm and extends out to create space for nage to step into and then throw uke. Doran Sensei reiterated the three principles of Aikido that he teaches all of his students at the dojo which all techniques much have to be Aikido. 1. Aiki (blending, not struggling) 2. Kosshu or breaking uke's balance, and 3. Posture, nage shouldn't lose their posture in the techniques.

Saotome Sensei's class started off with uke holding a jo with both hands in front of them while nage put a hand in the middle and moved an open hand to either side. Saotome Sensei then had four uke's stand behind each other and he threw all of them with the same motion. He did another multiple uke technique with two jos, with both jo's end touching other and nage had to extend through the jo into the leading uke's jo to throw the entire group. Another multiple uke technique involved nage extending a hand and the leading uke extends their hand to throw the group. The final group technique was a tenkan kaitennage, where uke steps back leading the front uke and hopeful the rest around and then thrown. Saotome Sensei then demonstrated a couple of kutsumi ("no touch" techniques) kokyunages. Saotome Sensei said some interesting things that Martial Arts training is learning about human anatomy and finding the corners to disrupt uke's balance during movement.

Hofmeister Sensei taught the fifth class and his theme was developing ukemi that was not complacent or disruptive in the technique being done by nage. Hofmeister Sensei made a point that Aikido is not something you do to people, or is done to you but is an activity that requires active participation and presence by both roles; nage and uke. The first technique we worked on was surwazi ikkyo with uke leading the movement while nage just directed. We did a few surwazi techniques and worked on the uke's ukemi not being passive or overly aggressive. Uke is not a sack of meat but a very essential part of Aikido practice.

The final class of the night was taught by George Ledyard Sensei. Ledyard Sensei's focus was in bringing to a full circle many of the major themes from other instructors at camp to basic kihon-waza Aikido. We started off with tenkan exercise and then went on to practice katatetori kokyu-ho omote and ura, katatetori sumitoshi, tsuki sumitoshi, and tsuki kotegashi. Ledyard Sensei talked about nage needs to bring uke into the negative space that opens up by shifting from the engaged hip to the neutral hip, this shift creates a lot of power and opportunity for nage to not force uke's action and movement through force but through nage's body mechanics and positioning. At the end of class, Ledyard Sensei asked if anyone had any questions and someone asked how to "float" uke as taught by Ikeda Sensei. Ledyard Sensei said that nage first connects to uke center through nage's hara and extends ki through the hands and into uke. Nage then shift the energy or focus to the uke's back foot and then straightens nage's posture and push nage hara slight forward (or as Ikeda Sensei says, clinch the posterior muscles). This lefts uke up and then nage can shift the balance to the neutral hip "floating" uke. Ledyard Sensei finished class with some interesting and positive things about the future of Aikido. The focus of the seminar has been on self-resilience and moving yourself either as uke or nage. This growth and positive energy, the hunger of this summer camp's students to learn new things will help Aikido grow in the next twenty years as it is a positive feed-back loop (demand for quality Aikido instruction encourages senior instructors to develop, expand, and evolve our Art)...if this desire for learning is not there, Aikido will be shell with a few quality instructors but the overall state of Aikido will be less.

Aikido Summer Camp 2011 Day 4

Wednesday is traditional a free day but there was still a couple of classes for those interested. I went to the 9:30 to 11:30 class by Sakabe Sensei.

Sakabe Sensei started off with a pretty rigorous warm-up including some warm-up exercises I have never seen before. We then started off with a kosadori kokyunage, kosadori sankyo, and then we practiced a number of interesting and new tanto tori techniques including a straight tsuki from surawaza that ended with nage pivoting away on one knee, bringing the closer arm over uke's arm while going underneath uke's knife with other for an ikkyo knife takeaway. We worked on some bokken takeways next. When then did a series of jo tori techniques and I was lucky enough to train with Jim Alvarez Sensei from California. He helped with some small suggestions and my technique was much easier to perform. We ended class with an exercise where nage is the middle of a triangle of three ukes with bokkens. All the uke's attack with a shomen strike and nage irimi-tenkan and is next to one of the ukes. Cool stuff.

For this afternoon, I'll be working on some job-related stuff (I don't know how productive I'll be, it is hard to shift gears and start programming in Python). I might play hooky and go down to the river to try my new fly pole my father gave me the last time I was Grand Junction.

Aikido Summer Camp 2011 Day 3

This morning's 6:30 class was taught by Troy Farrow Sensei. We did a long warm-up, which was nice as I think most of us attending hadn't completely woken up, and then Farrow Sensei had us do an exercise where starting from shomen, nage instead of extending into uke, straighten up and extended the engaged hand until uke had lost his or her balance. Beside improving nage's posture, this continued the theme of camp of self-reliance because by straightening and as Farrow Sensei suggested, visualize extending up to the sky through the skull and down to the earth and rotating around that axis. We did a number of techniques including some kokyunages and ikkyo using this approach.


Doran Sensei started off his class by relating a kodan - "second-hand" sayings of the founder O'Sensei which was that that the feet determine balance and direction of the hips and torso. Doran Sensei then showed us a simple movement where nage lifts the forward foot heil and pivots around the ball of the forward foot so nage is now to the side of uke's attack; either to inside or the outside. Building from this movement we then did a jodan tsuki ikkyo, nikkyo, and sankyo technique. Toward the end of class, Doran Sensei related what other masters have also said that you see principles through technique but you can't have one without the other.

For Saotome Sensei class, we continued with the jodan tsuki but we did a lot of different types of techniques, including a number of blocks and atemnis to sensitive areas in throat, chest, and legs. Saotome Sensei changed about mid-way through the class and had us practice with a very confined space, about a half of tatami mat. He talked about when we practice in the dojo, we have plenty of space to move around and respond, so what happens if you back is against the wall? For these close-in techniques, we worked from either a ryo-katadori (two shoulder grab) or a choke with both hands. The response from nage varied one technique was to slide out the way and then turn and throw uke into the wall, another for a choke was to come up and strike the soft spot right about chest cavity. Other variations included nage sliding both hands up to uke's neck and then using the thumbs, pressing right under the jaw pressing on the salivary glands or moving up to uke's face and pressing the nerves under the cheek-bones. Saotome Sensei said another interesting thing about ikkyo, that ikkyo was the O'Sensei was able to ensure self-defense without destroying the opponent. Saotome Sensei showed us the old style of ikkyo pin where nage keeps the outside knee up and extends uke outstretched arm across for the pin.

The forth class of the day was taught by Kevin Choate Sensei. From the start this was going to be a different class as Choate Sensei brought a four-foot heavy chain. We weren't doing some new or esoteric weapon takeaway, but Choate Sensei used the chain to illustrate some of the same points he made yesterday in his class. He pointed some different properties of the chain while holding it up and then letting the chain drop. The falling chain didn't drop as one unit, but each link the chain dropped and the chain fell in a straight line. Choate Sensei explained that like the chain, we need to think of ourselves as links in a chain and as we collapse we bring our energy down as well. Choate Sensei then demonstrated a second exercise where two people hold an end, as one person relaxes and exhales, Choate Sensei dropped the chain. He did that four times and then he had the other person do it again this time he didn't drop his end. The same movement results in the other person, breaking the other person's balance. This is the same concept to think about when doing a technique. We practiced variations on this and felt I learned more about what he was trying to get across. Choate Sensei made an interesting comment. He said that if we think the skill of level of Saotome Sensei or some other master is impossible to learn or attain, then why bother practicing at all? The level that Saotome Sensei and these higher ranked individuals is possible otherwise our battles would be won by very old men and not the young.

The fifth class was taught by Doran Sensei and he said at the start that since its been a long day, he would shift and how the relationships between Aikido and our sister art, Tai Chi. We started off in left hamni and then we practiced shifting our left side forward, followed by extending our right hand palm-up and out which brings the right shoulder forward. The second step was then turning over the hand and bring the left shoulder to meet the right hand and then you brought your right hand along your shoulders and out past your body going to opposite direction. We then paired up and practiced a form of push hands -- going back and forth -- until Doran Sensei turned it into a series of iriminage variations. A really interesting approach about the similarities of these arts and how the movements can be modified into techniques we are more familiar with in Aikido.

Aikido Summer Camp 2011 Day 2

This morning I dragged myself out of bed to make Laurie Nusbaum Sensei's 6:30am class. She started off by talking about self-relience and how practicing with others we can get distracted, so she said we were going to have a silence class. We worked on a varied of techniques, mostly kokyunage and hijinages. We ended class with a nice 5 minute sit.

The second class of the day was taught by Saotome Sensei. He had us get a bokken and between techniques, he lectured about why we don't have competition in Aikido is because of the different mindset between a competitive atmosphere vs. the Budo awareness of protecting oneself and destroying the enemy. He referenced a concept "bujho" (between my extremely poor Japanese and hearing, this is as close as I remember)

In Doran Sensei class we worked on katatetori tenkan, with Doran Sensei emphasizing that we shouldn't let our arms kosadori ikkyo, kosadori kokyunages, ryo-katatetori reverse kotegashi...During one of the practice sessions, I was working with a taller older women, and she started lecturing me and giving a too much resistance for the technique we practicing (katetori kokyu-ho) and some other crap so during my turn, I threw her with the force she was giving me and she flew to the ground. I could tell she was angry and she even tried to kick me in the face and the same time lecturing me that wasn't Aiki! Whatever, but I was upset with myself for letting my own frustration come through my technique.

For Tres Hofmeister Sensei class, we spent the first half of class on just tenkan with Hofmeister Sensei having us work on both uke and tori (nage) reactions and movement. I enjoyed the blending and working with a lot of other students. The second half of class was a continuation of movement, balance, and approach as our work with the tenkan but we added a number of kokyunages to the movement with a chance for randori practice near the end.

The final class of the night was taught by Kevin Choate Sensei. He spent the entire class having us work on reducing the tension and some of our natural instincts when being grabbed. He had uke start about six feet away, and a key part of the practice (at least for me, as Choate Sensei said a couple of times, what we relate second hand is just our perspective, not necessarily what the original person meant, probable a good description of my blog in general) was recognizing the small changes that occur before physical contact and after. When being touched, we tense, and learning to relax and not respond in some of these instinctive mannerisms prevents us from being truely present and not negatively responsive in our own movements.

Tonight is the Glenwood Springs Hot Tub night and I still debating if I'll go to the pool or not.

Aikido Summer Camp 2011 Day 1

Ikkyo is the first chapter of Aiki

Tonight was the first night of Aikido Camp of the Rockies in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. This is Doran Sensei's last year teaching so there is a bittersweet and somewhat sober tone on the mat leading up to the start of Doran Sensei class. During his class, Doran Sensei had us work on a different opening to iriminage where nage steps back and switches hamni while bringing uke's hand to center. We worked on a couple of irimi-style kokyunages with a shiho-nage opening and then cutting back into uke's center.

Saotome Sensei started off the second class by having us do some connection and extension exercises where nage tries to move uke with just a finger while uke is solid with a straight fist. Saotome Sensei then talked about how every action has a reaction that positive energy turns into negative energy. He demonstrated this with a kokoyunage that was a small circle back into uke. Saotome Sensei brought the lesson back positive-negative point when he explained that kokyunage or kokyuh-ho breathing in and out is the positive and negative energy, a way of communicating. He then started drawing the connection between breathing in and doing ikkyo and ikkyo is fundementally a breathing exercise, a connection I never made before. Saotome Sensei then talked about how some students once were saying they already knew ikkyo but O'Sensei replied that ikkyo is a life-long study and the essence of Aikido comes through studying ikkyo. Up to O'Sensei, Budo is about self-defense and destroying your opponent, O'Sensei broke that connection, by saying that we don't have to kill or destroy our opponent even though all of the ways and opportunities to do so are present in our techniques.

A great start to my first summer camp or even seminar as a shodan.

Aikido for 07/21/2011

Tip taught class and it was just Clint and I as students so we practiced for an hour instead of the usually hour and half class. We went through a lot of kokyunages, ikkyos, and iriminages before ending class with jo kata #1-#4.

Aikido for 07/16/2011

Today I taught the open class for Garry. Since I hadn't practice bokken takeways in a while, I decided to focus on the basic weapon takeways from a straight shomen bokken cut.

• bokken-dori shomen iriminage
• bokken-dori shomen kokyu-ho kokyunage
• bokken-dori shomen tenkan kokyunage

We then repeated all of the techniques from open-hand before ending class a minute randori from a shomen strike. During the first randori, one of the students cut their toe, so we had to stop and clean-up all of the blood splatter. He wasn't able to return, so I filled in as an attacker for the reminder of the randori.

Aikido for 07/14/2011

Tonight for class it was just the instructors so it was fun with a different vibe as Tip had us practice the following techniques:

• katatetori tenkan uchi kokyunage
• katatetori tenkan uchi iriminage
• katatetori tenkan uchi ikkyo omote and ura
• yokomenuchi kotegashi omote
• tanto tsuki kotegashi
• tanto shomen gokyu omote
• surawazi shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura
• hamni-handachi shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura
• shomenuchi tenkan hijinage (I did breakfalls for most of my ukemi

I was uke for Tip through-out so I had a good work-out and after class we had a demo by an Uechi-Ryu Karatedo instructor named John.

Uechi-Ryu Karatedo is a traditional style of Okinawian Karate and I found the class very interesting in that many of the movements and concepts are similar to Aikido but more regimented into formal katas and practice. I feel this school will bring a different budo to the dojo and offers different tradition and perspective on movement and martial arts.

Aikido for 07/12/2011

Ken taught class and after warm-ups and doing our usual katatetori kokyunage tenkan, he had us grab a tanto and practice the same kokyunage again with nage holding the tanto in the extended hand. Good class.

Aikido for 07/09/2011

Today for class, Garry mixed things up. We went straight into doing the following techniques

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori kokyunage irimi
• kosadori sumotoshi ura
• kosadori sumotoshi omote
• kosadori hijinage tenkan
• kosadori irimi
• We also worked on the jo kata number 3

It was a good class and I enjoy getting on the mat and practicing.

Aikido for 07/07/2011

For class tonight it was just Garry, Clint, and I. Since I was covering for Tip, I decided to just do to a round-robin practice. After warming up, we practiced the following techniques:

• katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• katatetori irimi kokyunage
• I decided to focus on two opening movements, uchi and soto, with a katatetori attack for the rest of the night starting off with a katatetori uchi tenkan kokyunage
• katatetori uchi kokyunage
• katatetori soto tenkan kokyunage
• katatetori uchi kaiten nage tenkan omote
• katatetori uchi kaiten nage tenkan ura
• katatetori soto kaiten nage tenkan
• katatetori soto kaitenage omote
• katatetori uchi iriminage, two different variations that I haven't seen before. In the first iriminage, nage creates the opening movement by sliding underneath uke and then using the free arm and hand slides, extends into uke and does the iriminage throw off the non-grabbed hand. In the iriminage second uchi variation, nage does a complete tenkan and then slides behind uke for the iriminage throw.

I joked after class that I didn't want to claim the iriminages because they did feel forced. I have never seen these iriminage variations before in classes or seminars I have attended over the years, that although they weren't the strongest and most fluid iriminages I have done, it is demostration of the almost infinite variations available on simple themes(and to be clear, I am not claiming I invented anything).

Aikido provides an outlet of physical creativity and focus unlike any other activity I do. Aikido is a modern budo and not a kata-based martial art. Although creative and fluid movement is a characteristic of Aikido, the deeper levels of the Art don't start opening up unless your focus is martial. . Aikido allows for constrained improvisation in responding to violence and chaos. The only way I was able to develop these iriminages is because as I train more, I have a wider scale in which my body knows similar movements from hours and years of practice and I just know the technique will work.

Aikido for 07/05/2011

Tonight for Aikido Ken's focus was blending in with attack instead of stopping uke and then trying to do the technique. We started off with these techniques:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori kokyunage irimi (or kokyu-ho)
• munetsuki kokyunage irimi to the inside with one hand cutting at the outstretched tsuki hand and the other reaching around the head and then turning the hips to throw uke, we practiced with a three different times
• We finished class with jo work, starting with first step in jo kata #1 and then moving to the complete kata

After I got home tonight and I was browsing my blog feed, I read the following post (An Open Letter to My Students) by George Ledyard Sensei regarding the poor turn-out of beginner students at a recent seminar at his dojo but he quickly expands on his reflections about Aikido and if the Art will continue into the future. I too worry about where Aikido will be in 20 or 30 years, long after all of O'Sensei's original students have passed away and many of the second generation of shinhan and sensei have also passed or are retired from active teaching. How can we increase not just the quantity of students (our numbers at Pike Peak Aikido are slightly down) but how to emphasize that the nature of a traditional budo practice in a dojo is more than a nice exercise time at the gym.

I try to bring to my own teaching a martial awareness that other instructors at Pikes Peak also do in their own way and methods. I don't lecturing about budo or the deeper reasons why I practice Aikido but maybe I should start doing that; especially in the beginner classes. As I prepare for the fall Colorado College Aikido Basic classes, I want to start attracting the type of students who prioritize and appreciate what Aikido can bring.

It may have been presumptuous of me, but in a comment I made to Ledyard Sensei's post I said I would be very interested in listening and discussing with other senior instructors at this year's summer camp about the future of Aikido and how to increase the importance of Aikido to the beginner and new students.

Vegan Monday and Happy July 4th

As part of the continued effort to vary my diet, I made a stuffed bell pepper with curry jasmine rice and chunks of boiled sweet potato. For a side, I took the rest of the boiled sweet potato, added some olive oil, a tablespoon of barbecue sauce (in honor of all of the 4th BBQs out there), and some peanuts that I blended into a mash. Here is the result:
It was too much sweet potato so I removed the chunks in the stuffing. The BBQ sauce made the mash too sweet, next time I need to substitute brown sugar and use either margarine or (on a non-vegan day) butter for a more complex taste.

Today is the celebrated signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America with it's largest signature by a distant relative of mine. The modern world began around this date in 1776; we're definitely still figuring out what it means even today.

Aikido for 07/02/2011

I covered Saturday's Aikido classes for Garry. For the 10:30 open class, I focused on the movement relationships between nage's responds in both kosadora and tsuki attacks. We then worked on the following techniques:

• kosadori ikkyo omote and ura
• kosadori shihonage omote and ura
• munetsuki ikkyo omote and ura
• munetsuki shihonage omote and ura
• kosadora sankyo omote and ura
• munetsuki sankyo omote and ura
• I then switched to two ushiro tanto-dori techniques the first technique was a ushiro tanto-dori sankyo
• The second tanto-dori was ushiro tanto-dori with a back choke I learned at Central Illinois Aikikai, I think I forgot some elements but I was able to figure out most of it. Nothing like demoing a long-forgotten technique in front of a class

No other students showed up for the beginner class. Kevin stayed from the first class and so we went through and practiced the first four bokken katas and the first five jo katas.

Aikido for 06/30/2011

Tip taught last night and we worked on the following techniques:

• Moritori kokyunage (3 variations)
• Moritori iriminage
• Two person moritori kokyunages (3 variations)
• Jo Kata #1 (3 variations)

After class a group of us went to Old Chicago for beer and food. I'll be teaching next week's Thursday class.

Aikido for 06/28/2011

Ken taught Tuesday night's Aikido class. After warm-ups, we worked on nage getting out of the way first from a shomen strike and then doing either a kokyunage or some other technique after uke has already extended and committed to the attack.

Towards the end of class, Ken had us work on the initial opening for most of the jo katas and we worked on the "cat" stance that blocks uke's strike over nage's head. Nage then rotates and spirals the jo down while dropping center to create an effective counter-strike. I needed help on this so it was great to be able to practice.

Fishing trip with Dad, Judd, and Casie

This past weekend I drove to Grand Junction for my grandmother's 90th birthday party on Saturday. On Sunday, my brother Judd, my father, and myself along with my dog Casie, drove up to the Mesa Lakes on Grand Mesa. We arrived around 1:30 and stayed until 5:15 or so. It is was a fun time; each of us did something that cracked everyone up. Dad started off by casting his line up and it got caught in a telephone or power line that crosses the lake. The first photo is of Dad explaining what had just happened to Judd and pointing towards the telephone line.


This second photo is Judd fixing his line, for about twenty or thirty minutes every-time Judd would cast out he would snag his line and have to redo his gear. Once or twice in a row is unlucky; to have it happen ten or so times in a row is very funny, at least for Dad and I. My funny screw-up occurred when Dad was texting Devon, Judd's partner, comparing our trip to the three stogies when as he was reading it aloud for Judd and I, I buried a fish hook deep into my index finger that caused me to immediately start yelling. As a family with small children was boating nearby, I had to censor my language as I forced the hook out of my fingertip. When I finally extracted the metal hook, I slipped and stuck myself again. By the time I finished, I was bleeding all over.

A very positive point of the trip was that I was able to catch my limit, Judd caught 3 and Dad caught a couple of fish as well. This final photo is of Casie by my fishing spot. I didn't look hard enough for her leash in the truck (I thought I had left it at my Dads) so I created a makeshift leash out of a green fish stringer.

Aikido for 06/23/2011

Tip taught tonight and there was only two other students. The class went well although I was tired by the end being the full-time uke for Tip and then going straight to practicing techniques with the other instructors.

Aikido for 06/18/2011

Today I taught both the open and beginner's classes as it was Garry's daughter third birthday. During the warm-ups for the open class I made sure we did rowing exercise and ikkyo undo exercise. We practiced a number of techniques including a number of the ni-waza techniques I practiced in Austin.

For the second beginner class, I had four students along with Clint and the class went okay; I need to teach more beginners with a wider range of abilities than the college students I normally teach.

Aikido for 06/16/2011

Thursday night there was only three of us for Tip's class. After warming up we practiced the following techniques:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori nikkyo omote and ura
• katatetori kotegashi ura
• Tip then finished class with kumtachi 1-5

Aikido for 06/14/2011

Last night Ken taught class and after warmups we practiced the following techniques:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• tsuki to the face kokyunage variations (during one variation I was uke while Ken demonstrated a tsuki elbow atemi and the timing was slightly off and I got nice forearm to the face)
• jo kata opening where nage goes into a cat stance with all of the weight on the back foot, I still need work on this because my natural tendancy is to distribute my weight between my legs and doing that means it is not as fast or as smooth with the jo counter.

Let sleeping Dogs Lie and Diet adjustments...

I have been thinking about how to make adjustments to my diet through changing the circumstances and approaches of the type, quantity, and variety of the food. So, during a typical week, I'll not eat processed beef or pork. So, starting today Mondays will be Vegan Mondays. I had an egg sandwich for lunch and for dinner I had a mixed salad and cooked lentils in my rice cooker. Wednesday's will be Paleo-Wednesdays with every other Wednesday being locally harvested paleo Wednesday.

I've been inspired by a couple of trends and I want to start looking for native foodstuffs and try to harvest over them over summer. I'll be taking very liberal interpretation of the paleodiet. It is merely a chance for me to develop a different skill set and start exploring some different areas with my Casie sleeping on the right.

Aikido for 06/09/2011

I am currently in Austen Texas for the Open Repository Conference and last night I took the bus to the Jo Birdsong Sensei's Aikido of Austin dojo. After warm-ups, James the guest instructor, told the class that we would be practicing techniques from the 1st kyu and shodan USAF tests as two students are testing next month. We started off with doing shihonage, iriminage, and kokyunage from katatori attack. We then did five techniques from katatori tsuki (I was uke for the demo) followed three moritori ninage (two uke attack) techniques, one of which I had never seen before and I wasn't doing it quite right until James came and corrected me. We finished class with two randoris for the testing students and I was one of the ukes in the free-style attack.

I really enjoyed the class and everything felt familiar from my time practicing at Central Illinois Aikikai. This was the first time I visited another dojo as a full-shodan and I found that I didn't have to worry about my ego related to ranking as much although I couldn't slack off either! The practice was rigorous and did find my internal Aiki development under Ikeda Sensei really made it easier to throw and break the balance of my ukes and allowed me to be more relaxed.

After class I walked out of the dojo and I noticed that I had missed the bus I needed to take back to my hotel. Instead I walked the 3.5 miles in the 90 degree plus heat. It was a good introduction to Austin and although I am having a good time here, I don't think I would ever want to live in Austin. Maybe it is because of my Colorado bias or maybe it is because I prefer cooler summers and winters.

Aikido for 06/04/2011 and 500th Post

Yesterday for Aikido, Garry started right away as is his practice for the open class. We started off with these techniques:

• katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• katatetori irimi kokyunage
• shomenuchi free-style
• shomencuhi iriminage
• shomenuchi yonkyo omote
• We then finished class by working on the bokken kata #5

This is my 500th blog posting. I started the blog in 2007 as part of some "Web 2.0" training I was doing for the Savage Library at Western State College by my then supervisor Beth. From just a general description of my life in Gunnison including the books and movies I was seeing and the many photos of trips friends and family made to visit me or the trips I went to other places. For a while now, the blog has been pretty much focused on my Aikido training and while I realize that it is repetitive, I find it part of my training to write at least an acknowledgement of my Aikido training.

I would like to continue to write and maybe I'll try to expand again and become more inclusive in what subjects and topics I cover on this blog. Next week I'll be Austin Texas for the first time, attending a conference and participating in a panel discussion. My life since I started this blog keeps improving but I feel that there is a deep loneliness that isn't necessarily explicit. I hope that as I continue to write and chronicle my life my next blog postings, that I'll become more social.

Aikido for 06/02/2011

Tonight for Aikido we had an abbreviated class because of two adult kyu tests. After warming up, Tip had us practice most of the techniques from the 6th kyu test along with the ushiro techniques from the 3rd kyu test.

Aikido for 05/31/2011

Last night Ken taught class and after warming-up (I actually lead the warm-up because Ken was having some knee problems) we worked on the following techniques:

• katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• Ken then had us do the same technique only as a jo dori where nage needs to make a deep tenkan movement
• kosadori ikkyo-style kokyunage where uke blends into the attack before it arrives; doing this from static is a lot harder

Aikido for 05/28/2011

For class on Saturday we worked on the following techniques:

• Katatetori kokyunage tenkan-style
• Katatetori kokyunage irimi-style


• Katateotri ikkyo and nikkyo
• Katatetori ji-waza
• Jo Kata #3
• Kosadori irimi-style kokyunage

Aikido for 05/26/2011

Thursday night Tip taught class with the number of students attending at 10, one of the larger Thursday night classes. After warming up, we practiced a number of techniques including a variety of different kokyunages and Tip also showed us a different type of yokomen entry that involves shifting back and then entering into uke's space.

After class a group of us went to Old Chicago for some food and beer.

Aikido for 05/25/2011

Last night for Aikido it was just Ken, Garry, Bradley, and myself. After warm ups, we worked on a number of tsuki kokyunages with nage not blocking the punch to the face but shifting slightly and moving into uke's space before shifting and bringing uke off balance. The idea was to develop sensitivity to the strike and if it is a quick jab to be just off the line without trying to take uke's balance while waiting for a more committed strike that provides enough leverage and timing to break uke's balance.

We also worked on jo kata openings before class ended.

Aikido for 05/21/2011

Today I arrived early for the youth testing; they all did well and then the adult testing started. I was uke for Aiden and Carlos, both testing for 5th kyu, as a warm-up for a my full shodon test. I went through many of the techniques and I quickly became winded when Ken had three uke's attack with a tanto from shomen, yokomen, tsuki, and open. After those ji-waza, I had a three person randori that went well before I went through the first 5 kumatachi and kumjo exercises. I had to reminded what the 5th kumatachi and I need help with the last three jo katas.

In all a good experience, one thing this is very clear is that I am out of shape and I need to get out more. My core fitness is suspect and I started to breath so heavy after the jiwaza and randori that I thought for a second that I would pass out. I didn't but continued anyway Now I feel like I have earned my shodon ranking.

Aikido for 05/19/2011

Tonight Kip taught class and since Clint was initially the only student to show-up, we focused on the 5th kyu test requirements including shomenuchi nikkyo omote and ura, katatori ikkyo and nikkyo omote and ura. We then worked on tsuki kaitenage omote and ura, shomenuchi iriminage, and both the first kumijo and kumatachi katas. Garry arrived a little later but a new student showed up so Garry gave a private beginner lessons while Clint and I worked on the test requirements. A good class and although I don't know what exactly will be on my own shodon test on Saturday, I'll just focus on breaking balance and breathing during my test.

Aikido for 05/17/2011

After warm-ups and katatetori tenkan kokyu-nage, katatetori irimi kokyu-nage. Ken then paired us off and I worked with Tom on his testing requirements.

Aikido for 05/10/2011

In class night Ken started off practice with the basic katatetori kokyunage tenkan and irimi exercises and then we worked on shomen iriminage and breaking balance of uke by bringing uke balance towards nage.

Aikido for 05/09/2011

On Monday I went to the dojo for test practice. I worked with Clint on his test techniques and at the end of class I was able to practice some koshinages with Clint taking some nice breakfalls for me.

Aikido for 05/07/2011

Yesterday for the Aikido open class, Garry started right off with the following techniques:

• katatetori tenkan kokyunage
• katatetori kokyunage irimi variation
• katatetori shihonage omote and ura
• shomenuchi nikkyo omote and ura
• bokken kata #1, I was practicing with Aiden and I took a glancing blow to my right index finger that I didn't realize I was bleeding until I looked down and I saw blood splatters over the mat. We stopped so I could clean up and put a band-aid on my finger
• jo kata #1

Aikido for 05/06/2011

Last night I taught Aikido at the college. One of my colleagues at library, Daryl, showed up and so after we called security to open-up the supply room to retrieve the mats, we practiced the following:

• tenkan and irimi movement exercises
• katatetori tenkan exercise
• forward and backward ukemi
• katatetori sumitoshi
• kokyu tannon ho exercise

It was a good class and even with one person, I never leave feeling like I wasted my time.

Aikido for 05/05/2011

Last night Tip taught class and I was fortunately enough to actually make a Thursday night class this month. After warming up, we worked on a number of katetetori kokyunage variations where nage instead of doing a full tenkan, only tenkans to 45 degrees before doing the technique. We then worked on the following:

• katatetori kokyunage 3 variations
• katatetori kaitenage omote
• kateteori ikkyo omote and ura
• tsuki kokyunage
• tsuki iriminage

I enjoyed myself and got a good work-out as Tip's primary uke for the demonstrations.

Aikido for 05/03/2011

For tonight's class Ken focused again on disrupting uke's balance in the techniques and exercises. We worked on the following:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• shomenuchi break-balance by turning nage's center slightly and then bringing uke down, this works better if nage connects more with uke's forearm.
• shomenuchi iriminage omote
• shomenuchi iriminage tenkan

This morning I was reading Saotome Sensei's book and I saw the kanji for ukemi. Since ukemi is so important, I decided to sketch the following that I scanned and uploaded to the blog. I'm thinking that this will be the basis for a new Aikido painting. Instead of creating on the canvas in paint; I want to fully sketch out the painting first before I start painting. I want the woman taking ukemi to more realistic (maybe even a portrait!) so I need to practice my artistic take on the human form practicing Aikido.

Aikido for 05/02/2011

Tonight at the dojo was test prep for May 21st kyu testing. Since I'll be doing a shodon test myself; I'll try to attend all three classes leading up to the testing date. Tonight Ken, Clint, and I went through the 5th kyu testing requirements in detail with me being full-time uke as Clint practiced shomenuchi nikkyo omote and ura, kata dori ikkyo and nikkyo omote and ura, munetsuki kaitenage omote and ura. We also worked on katatetori shihonage ura as well.

At the end, I got out the thicker blue mats and Clint was great to agree to be my uke as I went through different koshinage variations from different yokomenuchi, shomenuchi, and tsuki attacks. Clint took some great falls and was a great uke. A good practice and Ken helped me a lot by reminding me to keep my heels together and feet pointed at 45 degrees. My right knee and hip are still weak and my technique is the fails when I let that weakness influence my movement. My leg can clearly take the extra movement; it is just deep bone and muscle pain that I should eventually get checked out. My knee injury is primarily from snowboarding with poorly fitted bindings, my right hip is from a bad snowboarding fall on Crested Butte a couple of years ago.

Aikido for 04/30/2011

Garry taught at 10:30 and he reminded us that today was a silence class, with minimal talking we then worked on the following techniques:

• katetori kokyunage tenkan
• shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura
• shomenuchi nikkyo omote and ura
• jo kata #4
• jo kata #5
• jo kata #6

A good class even if I kept dropping my jo on the fifth kata.

Aikido for 04/26/2011

Tuesday night class was just Ken and I. We decided to work on Ikeda Sensei's techniques and exercises from the weekend's seminar in Boulder. It was a good review but I kept remembering more things that we did and only after this class!

Aikido Spring Seminar

This weekend was the Ikeda Sensei's spring seminar in Boulder. I drove up Friday night and after dressing out, got on the mat and warmed up. Ikeda Sensei started with warm-ups and then he talked how this weekend seminar fees were being donated to the Japan Relief Society for the Earthquake and Tsunami.

My memories and experiences blend together in all three days of the seminar. With the focus on Ikeda Sensei on connecting with uke, even before actual physical engagement, that even mentally and physically taking the better vector into and through uke's balance. Ikeda Sensei spent more time explaining the technical and classical physical explanations on why breaking balance works, that being martial allows the smaller and the weaker to overcome the bigger, younger, and more physically powerful.

My other great memories from the seminar are working with and learning from all of the great Aikidora from Boulder, Denver, and the surrounding area. Some of the senior students of Boulder Aikikai; Alan, Laura, Troy, and more, all challenge me and know more about what Ikeda Sensei is teaching us during these internal Aikido seminars. Their experience and maturity reflect the richness of knowledge and teaching ability of Ikeda Sensei.

On Sunday, the last day of the Seminar, Ikeda Sensei stopped class early and after retrieving a couple of things from his office, returned and formally presented me with Shodon certificate and Yudansha passport and cards. After the beautiful morning that started with snow and was still cold, I was truely honored and priveledged to receive my first Yudansha ranking from this great teacher and student of Aikido, from whom I have learned so much and hope to continue for as long as he is able, Ikeda Sensei.

Thank-you Sensei.

Aikido for 04/19/2011

Musubi or balance-taking was the focus of Ken's class last night. Ken had sent around via email, an article from Saotome Sensei, "Musubi and Kokyu Tanden Ho". The focus on at the point of contact to already have uke's balance came through in the various demonstrations and techniques we practiced through class.

Aikido for 04/15/2011

Last night I went over to the Cossitt Gym and Cory and I went upstairs to practice in the North Gym. We weren't able to retrieve the mats so we just focused on breaking balance and movement in the techniques.

It was good teaching and if we were able to get the mats, I could see teaching there over Cossitt Gym. The space is nice.

Aikido for 04/14/2011

Last night Tip emailed requesting a sub from tonight's class. I agreed to cover and when class started it was just Ken, Garry, and myself. It was different teaching class for higher ranked then me but after a quick warmup, I decided to focusing on the folowing kaeshiwazas:

• katatetori iriminage with a sankyo counter
• katatetori shihonage omote to iriminage
• katatetori nikkyo to sankyo reversal, where the reversal occurs when with the nage's outside hand as it comes over uke's arm, there is a point where nage is exposed and the sankyo reversal is right there by uke's free hand. I have never seen this before but I'm sure someone has done this before for sure. It is a very effective reversal and hard for nage to counter.
• tsuki kotegashi to iriminage
• tsuki kokyunage to kokyunage, we worked on a couple of variations and when nage tenkan and goes underneith uke's wrist for the throw, uke just extends forward and throws nage instead. If nage hand goes over the top, this isn't as effective but if uke continues the downward momentum, a kokyunage to kaitenage kaeshiwaza is right there and easy to do
• We finished with a kaeshiwaza that I haven't done before that Ken showed us where nage attempts a ikkyo omote from a shomen strike and is too late allowing uke to get solid and throw nage for kokyunage as a reversal

Tonight was fun class and afterwards, Ken and I went out to Old Chicago for some food and a couple of beers.

Aikido for 04/12/2011

Ken taught class tonight and we worked on a tsuki kotegashi variation that I really enjoyed focusing on. What Ken emphasized was bring uke off balance through timing and bring uke into nage's center and shifting by shifting uke's weight over the front foot, keeping uke off balance until applying the kotegashi. On of the last variations we worked on involved bringing uke's forearm clear down to the by nage dropping the inside knee and throwing uke through either a full tenkan or a tenkai movement. As uke attempts to stand recover balance, nage applied the kotegashi for the full take-down and pin. We did a variation where nage takes uke down to the mat and then does a tenkan throw. It was only with this technique that I finally felt blending; for most of the night I was slightly off. It is interesting to me that I noticed missing Saturday's class in lack of crispness in my techniques during practice.

Aikido for 04/07/2011

This is a late blog posting as I forgot to write it soon after the class that Tip taught on Thursday, April 7th. We worked on a number of techniques from the Aikido summit.

Aikido for 04/05/2011

Ken taught class and we worked on the following techniques:

• shihonage katatetori omote
• ushiro katatetori sankyo
• ushiro ryokatatetori sankyo
• ushiro ryokatateori kokyunage

The ushiro techniques were from Izawa Sensei class at the Aikido summit, I still need more work on these techniques.

Aikido for 04/02/2011

Garry taught class and we went right into practice with the focus being on various techniques from the Aikido Summit including Cindy Hayashi Sensei's nage's tenkan and forcing uke to engage and grab the incoming hand. We also worked on a number of Izawa Sensei's kokyunages. We ended class with Toby Threadgill Sensei's kneeling throw and and choke before finishing with the standing centering exercises that Threadgill showed at the Summit.

A good class and a review of some of the highlights from the Aikido Summit.

Aikido for 03/31/2011

Kip taught class tonight and after warm-ups, we worked on the following techniques:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katatetori kokyunage irimi
• tsuki kaitenage - Toby Threadgill Sensei style

We also worked on some jo and bokken katas both an irimi-style throw by nage with the jo and a kokyunage style throw.

After class Tip, Ken, I went to Tako for sushi and beer. It was an enjoyable class and visit afterwards.

Aikido for 03/29/2011

Ken taught class and after warm-ups, we worked on the following techniques:

• katatetori kokyunage tenkan
• katetori shihonage omote with multiple foci which included breakfalls at one point.
• two variations of tsuki tenkan-style kokyunage from Toby Threadgill Sensei's class during the Aikido Summit on Saturday

After class we talked about some of the other techniques done by different sensei at the Aikido Summit and I would guess we'll be seeing some of them in other classes.

In different news, later in April I am going to meet with Threadgill Sensei about becoming a probationary member of koryu. I'll be finding out more and I am really excited about this opportunity.

Aikido for 03/26/2011

Edger Johnson Sensei, the head instructor at Denver Aikikai, started off talking about how the today's seminar was dedicated in the memory of Frank Gordon who died two days after last year's summit. Edger also mentioned that a portion of the proceeds from the Seminar would be donated to a Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund as well.

We then started with Russ Smith Sensei from Ki Society. We did some warm-ups including more Ki Society style from previous years. Russ Smith Sensei talked about his experiences with Frank Gordon through the years.

The second class was taught by Cindy Hayashi Sensei from Northern California. It was her birthday so we sung happy birthday to her and then class began. Hayashi Sensei's focus right came about when we were practicing tenkan exercise. She instructed uke to come around when nage turns tenkan to be prepared to strike nage with the other hand which is why nage then needs to extend and present the outstretched hand into uke's space so uke is forced to grab nage's hand. Hayashi Sensei continued with other techniques including a few randori. I worked with Tip and it was physically demanding being both uke and nage when you have three other active people attacking you.

Seiji Tanaka Sensei taught the third class, we started off with Tomicki Style of foot-work warm-up and then Tanaka Sensei had us get a bokken to practice the foot-work as well. While Tomici Aikido's blend of Judo and Aikido along with competitive Aikido, is curious balance and perspective Tanaka Sensei emphasized the origin of Tomicki Aikido's techniques from sword techniques. Near the end of the class, Tanaka Sensei demonstrated the tanto competition style as well as other free-style techniques including this kotegashi uchi style variation I have never seen before that is way cool. If nage cannot apply the kotegashi wrist pin, nage reverses underneath uke and then the a different style of pin is right and uke is one the ground.

Before lunch, the Tako Drummers performed and then we ate the bento lunch and visited before the last three classes of the day. During lunch Threadgill Sensei opened up and showed us some very old scrolls from his traditional koryu including some fascinating illustrations of paired sword katas and linage scrolls.

Toby Threadgill Sensei was the forth instructor of the day. As always with Threadgill Sensei, he presented a more historical and different budo than everyone else at the Seminar. He explained that his koryu is based on kata and not waza like more modern budo of Aikido and Judo. The first kata was derived from a tanto tsuki where nage cuts into uke center and push uke's head around while throwing uke with the other arm pressed against. Threadgill Sensei then two demonstrated hanki-waza, a head pin and finally a choke that we didn't practice because of how easy it is to hurt your partner if you haven't trained and learned the technique. Threadgill Sensei showed another kata that is related to nikkyo wrist pin and finally we did a seated kata where uke chokes from behind and nage reaches around and throws uke over the shoulder into a scissor choke pin. Threadgill Sensei finished class by having us work on internal balance and alignment and show how by moving your pelvis, you can feel how to redirect uke's power from your hands into the mat.

Kei Izawa Sensei began his class by talking about Frank Gordon and then he started on us a series of different ushiro kokyunage and koshinages techniques. He emphasized that nage shouldn't try to force their arms around to bring uke around but up through nage's center-line as with a bokken cut. Most of these techniques Izawa Sensei threw uke in break-fall and one time we came around and was showing a technique and throw to my partner and me. When he was throwing me, I has to adjust in mid-air to avoid another uke being thown into our space. Everyone watching got a laugh because I must of looked kinda of weird. A great class and I really need to get to his dojo and takes some classes from him.

Ikeda Sensei taught the last class of the day and we worked on the internal movement and balance. Ikeda Sensei built upon some of the things Izawa and Threadgill Senseis discussed early regarding internal structure and brought up that nage should think about moving uke's tailbone or throw uke's center lines. Ikeda Sensei also discussed how straight line or vectors connect nage and uke and that rotating these lines end-over-end create the spherical movement. To distrupt uke's balance means moving this connected lines in around through. As is often the case in Ikeda Sensei classes, I hear and understand but I fail in practice. I feel like I am improving my balance and my own style of Aikido is following and maturing in my sensei's own Aikido development. I will be seeing Ikeda Sensei at the Spring Seminar in April and I can't wait.

After the end of day but before we left, I approached Threadgill Sensei about practicing and learning from him. I told him I was thinking of coming up 2-3 times a month to train and we agreed that I was still interested, I would follow-up with him.

In all a great day of training and budo development. I really appreciate the level and connection I develop from the Aikido Summit and I hope to take a lot away from the excellent instruction and I hope we honored the memory of Frank Gordon and the victims in Japan.