Sep 29 Fri ~ Basic Class

Ryotetori Kokyuho
Katatori Nikkyo

Discussion of a good attitude towards training and accepting correction. This involves both remembering the point of specific feedback given regarding improving one’s technique and then practicing it consistently thereafter as well as not being too critical of oneself.

Sep 27 Wed ~ Beginner’s Class

Ryotetori Nikkyo – Omote & Ura

Rowing exercise, its history and relationship to Shinto tradition (as is the kokyu exercise at the end of the warm-up) and aiki taiso developed and used just after WWII. Emphasis placed on moving the center rather than just the arms. Instruction in the ki-ai that accompany the movement. This exercise was then placed in the context of the specific technique.

Sep 25 Mon ~ Tenkan

Kokyunage (2 ways)

A variety of tenkan and entry drills that started slowly (to get a sense of trust and timing) and then increasing the speed of response (to insure an aerobic workout as well as a sense of initiating a technique at “the moment of contact”). Exploration of how uke reacts to atemi with a change in body posture. This reaction can be different (reflexive without an ability to consciously override the reaction) when the atemi starts from peripheral vision.

Sep 22 - 23 Fri & Sat ~ Ellis Amdur Seminar

Ellis Amdur has been training in Aikido since the 1970’s, spending 13 of these years in Japan. He studied most intensely with Terry Dobson (1937-1992, American Aikido teacher and writer and the only non-Japanese to be a direct student of the founder of Aikido), Yoshio Kuroiwa (b. 1932, Tokyo, 6th dan Aikikai, extensive boxing background. began training in Aikikai Hombu Dojo c. 1954, emphasizes the practicality and effectiveness of Aikido techniques), and Yasunori Kuwamori.

He is a licensed instructor in two classical Japanese koryu, Araki Ryu, (a system that focuses on close combat, with or without weapons) and Toda-ha Buko-ryu, (the use of naginata against a variety of weapons).

This workshop focused on atemi. Sensei Amdur states, “Atemi-jutsu within Aikido training is often a crude formula of ‘if he doesn’t move I can hit or poke him to make him move’. But proper atemi should be more subtle than this – a destabilization of posture that ranges from psychological methods (kiai-jutsu) to kuzushi (physical methods of affecting the opponents balance) to more severe methods of striking."

Sensei Amdur started with warm-up exercises and individual practice movements that drilled 5 major planes of responses based on Aikido controls and hand & hip coordination with soft flexible shoulders.

He demonstrate heavy hand practices as it relates to atemi and kuzushi, as well as how atemi are part of the flowing movements inherent in aikido practice. In addition he offered insights into appropriate attitudes towards etiquette and attention to instruction while training.

Attention was paid to the meaning, purpose, and application of “ki-ai”. Weapons work emphasized ma-ai and indicated the ‘openings’ that present themselves as ‘opportunities’.

You can see a brief video of the instruction at the following link:

SENSEI AMDUR

Sep 20 Wed ~ Beginner’s Class

Continued shihonage practice with demonstration of relationship to sword movement. This sword movement also emphasized the importance of maintaining correct ‘harmony with oneself’ in terms of alignment and movement from the center along the vertical axis of one’s posture. Introduction to rear roll outs and continued stress on the importance of ukemi. Here’s a “modified” quote from Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. It is great advice for aikidoka in understanding the importance of ukemi practice…

“ …if one hates to be thrown, one cannot expect to become a master of the art. By taking throws time after time, one must learn how to take falls and overcome the fear of being thrown. Then one will become unafraid of being attacked and be able to take the initiative in attack. Only by following this manner of training can one learn true… waza… conducted in the way to develop speed and free movement of the body.”

Sep 17 Mon ~ Tsuki

Tsuki Tenshin Kotegaeshi
Men Tsuki Tenshin Kotegaeshi

In the first instance there is a block that is similar to the ‘chiburi’ movement in Iaido and has a simultaneous diagonal back step off the line. The second instance has a direct step back with kuzushi attained by leading the uppercut strike ‘up’ and then applying the kotegaeshi by following the direction of the fist ‘into the hand’ and then down.

Sep 13 Wed ~ Beginner’s Class

Introduction to ‘standing’ and maintaining an erect posture along the central axis. Eyes focused forward so that the line of sight is parallel to the floor. Hold the sky up with your head! Ears over shoulders with chest open and knees “springy”. Discussion of the “center” and the importance of making the ‘center’ of your height coincide with the ‘center’ of your weight. The general rule for finding your ‘center’ (“hara” or “tanden”) is to place your thumb on your navel. Make a fist and place it UNDER your thumb. Now move your thumb and place it UNDER your fist… this is approximately where your ‘center’ is located (the probable center of your body weight). You make the adjustment to coincide the ‘center’ of your height by bending your knees and lowering yourself into a more stable defensive stance with feet in ‘hanme’ approximately a shoulder width apart. Having established this posture you can practice walking (tsugi ashi & ayumi ashi) while maintaining a round wooden block on the top of your head.

Sep 11 Mon ~ Suwari Waza

Class opened with a longer period of meditation in remembrance of the 5^th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Thoughts went to those trapped by flames on the upper floors who decided to jump rather than become engulfed. In that crucial moment so many in peril reached for the hand of a stranger so that two human beings might jump together. It is a reminder of what a powerful force is the sense of connection. It also reminds us that we should not wait for tragedy to display such compassion.

Suwari Waza
Katatetori Nikkyo – Omote & Ura
Nikkyo variations for alternate arm positions of uke
Tsuki Tenshin Kotegaeshi

Emphasis on nage’s economy of movement during suwari waza and getting uke to do as much of the movement as possible. Making sure to get a “Z” in uke’s arm and that the application should come from the center with relaxed arms and shoulders.

Sep 9 Sat ~ Kaitennage

Katatetori Kaitennage
Ryotetori Kaitennage

Emphasis placed on dropping the center as the arms are dropped for more effective kuzushi.

Sep 6 Wed ~ Ryotetori

Ryotetori Ushiro Iriminage
Ryotetori Kokyunage (2 ways)
Ryotetori Irimi Koshinage

Emphasis placed on maintaining posture and holding the center with loose relaxed shoulders and flexibility in the upper body to allow fluid entry for the techniques.

Sep 3 Sat ~ Lorraine DiAnne Seminar

This was a wonderful event that was designed to celebrate and support DiAnne Sensei. She has an upcoming trip to Japan in November where she will be awarded her Shihan certificate at Aikikai Hombu by Doshu. As usual Sensei DiAnne gave spirited classes of effective techniques. There is a brief video of the application of kotegaeshi to an uppercut at:

SHIHAN DiANNE

Congratulations to her for a well deserved recognition of a lifetime of Aikido. Much gratitude also for years of friendship, instruction and support.