- katatetori kokyunage tenkan
- katatetori kokyunage irimi
- tsuki kaitenage - Toby Threadgill Sensei style
After class Tip, Ken, I went to Tako for sushi and beer. It was an enjoyable class and visit afterwards.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Aikido for 03/31/2011
Kip taught class tonight and after warm-ups, we worked on the following techniques:
After class Tip, Ken, I went to Tako for sushi and beer. It was an enjoyable class and visit afterwards.
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:
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.
- 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.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Aikido for 03/24/2011
Last night Tip taught class. Ken and Garry also attended so it was good to see that they are both recovering from their recent illness. After warm-up Tip taught the following techniques:
- shomenuchi kotegashi ura with tenkai opening
- shomenuchi hijinage - when I nage, I tried an Yamaguchi inspired variation and it very easy to throw my larger uke...good stuff
- shomenuchi iriminage tenkai variation - I was uke for Tip and because of the mechanics of this technique is positions uke to take an irimi break-fall. My first break-fall was one of the best I have taken because I didn't think about it and let my body flow although it did feel like I was in the air for a longer time than normal
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Aikido for 03/22/2011 and quick realization...
Tonight at Aikido Ken started us with katatetori shihonage omote focusing on the Yamaguchi Sensei shomen bokken cut and tonight we worked on some small improvements that make it really easy and powerful to do from our basic static style. Really cool stuff. The second technique was a katatetori shihonage-style kokyunage where nage, instead of grabbing with the second hand, keeps the lead hand connected to uke and following a shihonage movement, throws uke. We then spent the rest of class working up to some shihonage break-fall practice. I learned a better way to position my hips to take faster break-falls; I just now need to practice them more often. I feel my Aikido understanding has shifted to a deeper, different level that I need to explore.
In a totally unrelated note, when I was writing the title to this blog post I realized that this day in 1997 I was getting married. Funny that it totally slipped my mind. Last month I decided I would try to go on 11 dates in 11 months for 2011. I am making more of an effort, at least in Colorado Springs there are more women, but my life lately is work, Aikido, and a side project I have been doing; the web site design and development for HomeProjectHQ.com with a beta version of the website available at http://homeprojecthq.appspot.com.
I am happier now than I have ever been in my life and any future relationship and family is ideally additive in happiness. Hmm...I'm not normally this reflective but Jennifer's impact is clearly lessened significantly for me over the past decade and couple of years. My life shifts and changes and I don't know what to expect next. Aikido and everything are positive reinforcements so it's fun.
In a totally unrelated note, when I was writing the title to this blog post I realized that this day in 1997 I was getting married. Funny that it totally slipped my mind. Last month I decided I would try to go on 11 dates in 11 months for 2011. I am making more of an effort, at least in Colorado Springs there are more women, but my life lately is work, Aikido, and a side project I have been doing; the web site design and development for HomeProjectHQ.com with a beta version of the website available at http://homeprojecthq.appspot.com.
I am happier now than I have ever been in my life and any future relationship and family is ideally additive in happiness. Hmm...I'm not normally this reflective but Jennifer's impact is clearly lessened significantly for me over the past decade and couple of years. My life shifts and changes and I don't know what to expect next. Aikido and everything are positive reinforcements so it's fun.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Aikido for 03/19/2011
Saturday morning I woke up and saw an email from Garry requested a sub for Open and Fundamental classes as he was still recovering from a cold. I volunteered and so I taught both classes.
For the Open Aikido class, I taught the following techniques with continued inspiration from watching Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei's 1987 Paris seminar DVD. Since there were 9 students in attendance, I had them divide themselves into 3 groups of 3 and had uke's be ready to attack at the completion of an attack by nage, making nage more aware. During warm-ups, I had us all get in a circle to practice close to 200 shomen bokken cuts in preparation and a theme for the rest of the class. Since Yamaguchi Sensei's emphasis in the DVD was on how the shomen bokken movement is present in most techniques, practicing these cuts beforehand increases comprehension (I think) for the emphasis I wanted to bring for the rest of the class. After Thursday's class, I felt that having these cuts in recent memory would assist in understanding Yamaguchi Sensei's points.
Since this was Doug's last day before a six month contract job in Afghanistan, I invited him up and following a CIA tradition, Doug had to throw all of us four times although he got to specify the attack. It was an enjoyable class to teach.
For the Open Aikido class, I started off with warm-ups and then brought out the softer, newer mats for ukemi practice. There was one new and 3 other students that stayed for class. In addition to the basic forward and backward ukemi, we also practiced some standing break-falls along with a pretty easy koshinage as well. I believe koshinages and break falls should be introduced in the beginner class to help people become familiar and even they won't be tested on them until they test for their 1st and 2nd kyu tests. We then practiced these techniques:
For the Open Aikido class, I taught the following techniques with continued inspiration from watching Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei's 1987 Paris seminar DVD. Since there were 9 students in attendance, I had them divide themselves into 3 groups of 3 and had uke's be ready to attack at the completion of an attack by nage, making nage more aware. During warm-ups, I had us all get in a circle to practice close to 200 shomen bokken cuts in preparation and a theme for the rest of the class. Since Yamaguchi Sensei's emphasis in the DVD was on how the shomen bokken movement is present in most techniques, practicing these cuts beforehand increases comprehension (I think) for the emphasis I wanted to bring for the rest of the class. After Thursday's class, I felt that having these cuts in recent memory would assist in understanding Yamaguchi Sensei's points.
- katatetori kokyunge tenkan variation
- katatetori nikkyo omote and ura
- katatetori iriminage
- munetsuki kotegaeshi
- munetsuki kaitennage omote
Since this was Doug's last day before a six month contract job in Afghanistan, I invited him up and following a CIA tradition, Doug had to throw all of us four times although he got to specify the attack. It was an enjoyable class to teach.
For the Open Aikido class, I started off with warm-ups and then brought out the softer, newer mats for ukemi practice. There was one new and 3 other students that stayed for class. In addition to the basic forward and backward ukemi, we also practiced some standing break-falls along with a pretty easy koshinage as well. I believe koshinages and break falls should be introduced in the beginner class to help people become familiar and even they won't be tested on them until they test for their 1st and 2nd kyu tests. We then practiced these techniques:
- katatetori tenkan
- katatetori irimi-style kokyunage
- katatetori shihonage omote and ura
- katatetori sankyo omote
Friday, March 18, 2011
Aikido for 03/17/2011
Tip talked to me last week to cover Thursday night's class. I didn't make my usual Tuesday night class because of a cold but by Thursday, I was back to feeling healthy. This past week I've been watching (to catalog of course!) Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei's 1987 Paris seminar on DVD. I was fascinated by Yamaguchi Sensei's approach and power. His focus at this seminar was how many (if not all I might argue) of open-hand Aikido techniques are effective when just using the basic shomen bokken movement. This is so intuitive with my own beliefs about Aikido that I wanted to bring these new insights and try them out on the mat. After warm-ups, we then practiced the following techniques:
Ken showed up about a quarter into the class. He had just gotten a new camera and since I hadn't seen him in a few weeks, it was good to see him up and about. We were also able to talk about the Yamaguchi Sensei approach and his suggestions and comments were a great treat to a great class of teaching. Learning by teaching, in this Yamaguchi Sensei shomen emphasis, really was insightful because I had to verbally and tactility explain myself. After class we went out for beer at Old Chicago for restrained send-off to Doug. Paul, an old dojo member that hasn't practiced since I joined, was at tonight's class and it was good to finally meet him in person. Good Stuff.
- shomenuchi ikkyo omote
- hamni-handachi shomenuchi ikkyo omote
- shomenuchi iriminage
- hamni-handachi shomenuchi iriminage
- katatetori shihonage omote
- hamni-handachi katatetori shihonage omote
Ken showed up about a quarter into the class. He had just gotten a new camera and since I hadn't seen him in a few weeks, it was good to see him up and about. We were also able to talk about the Yamaguchi Sensei approach and his suggestions and comments were a great treat to a great class of teaching. Learning by teaching, in this Yamaguchi Sensei shomen emphasis, really was insightful because I had to verbally and tactility explain myself. After class we went out for beer at Old Chicago for restrained send-off to Doug. Paul, an old dojo member that hasn't practiced since I joined, was at tonight's class and it was good to finally meet him in person. Good Stuff.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Aikido for 03/12/2011
Today I went to the 10:30 Open Aikido class taught by Garry. There were only two other students, so we went to a more of a round-robin style practice and worked on these techniques:
- katatetori kokyunage tenkan
- katatetori kokyunage irimi style
- moratetori kokyunage irimi style
- yokomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura
- yokomenuchi kotegashi
- kumejo number one kata
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Aikido for 03/10/2010
Tip taught class and after warm-ups, we practiced various techniques mostly from the kyu testing requirements including munetsuki kaitennage and munetsuki kotegashi. Tip finished class with some jo tori techniques.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Aikido for 03/08/2011
Tonight Ken emailed and asked for volunteers to teach class. I volunteered and so with four students we were able to practice the following techniques:
- ryo-katatetori uchi-style kokyunage
- ryo-katatetori tenshinage omote and ura
- ryo-katetori kokyu-ho kokyunage
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Aikido for 03/04/2011
Friday night I was hoping for more students to show up for the CC class but it is just Cory and I. After warming up, we worked on some techniques I haven't practiced in a while. We then practiced the the following:
- katatetori kokyunage tenkan
- moritetori jujinage omote and ura
- hamni-handache shihonage omote and ura
Friday, March 4, 2011
Aikido for 03/03/2011
Last night Tip taught class and after warm-ups we worked on these techniques:
- katatetori kokyunage tenkan
- katatetori koyunage (nage slight shifts the grabbed wrist and extends into uke for the opening)
- katatetori nikkyo omote and ura
- jo kata number 1
- jo dori two variations
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Aikido for 03/02/2011
Tonight for the Aikido Fundamental class it was just Pierre, Dave, and I. Pierre will be testing soon for his 4th kyu rank and so we focused on basic 5th and 4th kyu test requirements. After warm-ups, I changed the normal structure with the three of us so that each uke attacks nage twice, once on each side and nage performs the technique. The free uke attacks immediate opening so nage must be aware and respond accordingly. Given that context, we practiced these techniques:
It was a good hard practice of almost constant movement, one time in particular I had resort to strength push kokyunage to throw Pierre because I wasn't in a good position to perform the technique we were working on. I remember more of my non Aiki moments on the mat as they remind me that as stress level increase we resort to more muscle response and aggression; a strong and deeper reason to practice budo through Aikido, to train and discipline not just the response when you are fresh but when you are tried or unexpected attack, to train for a softer and lighter in you but greater effect on uke.
- katatetori kokyunage tenkan
- shomenuchi ikkyo omote or ura
- shomenuchi iriminage
- katate dori shihonage omote or ura
- yokomenuchi ikkyo omote or ura
- yokomenuchi kotegaeshi
- yokomenuchi iriminage
- kokyu tanden ho
It was a good hard practice of almost constant movement, one time in particular I had resort to strength push kokyunage to throw Pierre because I wasn't in a good position to perform the technique we were working on. I remember more of my non Aiki moments on the mat as they remind me that as stress level increase we resort to more muscle response and aggression; a strong and deeper reason to practice budo through Aikido, to train and discipline not just the response when you are fresh but when you are tried or unexpected attack, to train for a softer and lighter in you but greater effect on uke.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Aikido for 03/01/2011
Ken is feeling better but still not up for teaching so I volunteered to cover his Tuesday and Wednesday classes. After warm-ups, I had us practice happo-undo exercise and happo-gris exercises with bokken before starting with these techniques:
It was good to teach again but for Wednesday and Friday night classes, I'll need to switch to Aikido fundamentals class for new students both at the dojo and at CC.
- katatetori kokyunage tenkan
- katatetori shihonage omote and ura
- munetsuki kotegashi
- kata dori ikkyo omote
- kata dori nikkyo omote
It was good to teach again but for Wednesday and Friday night classes, I'll need to switch to Aikido fundamentals class for new students both at the dojo and at CC.
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