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Class Training Notes: 5/1/13

First training Saturday of the year and an unexpectedly big turnout. It was also a nice surprise to have seniors from Nathan Dojo and Aikido Republic visit and train with us. Being the first class of the year, the emphasis was on revisiting Aikido fundamentals.

Okay so what did we cover.

The four principles of being an effective and safe uke

The four principles underpinning effective uke arts were examined from an applied Aikido perspective. These principles can be conveniently summarised as follows:

maintain contact throughout the entire interaction;
offer a committed attack;
remain relaxed;
be sincere.

Reference: Aikido Ukemi (Volume 2) Instructional DVD by Donovan Waite Sensei (7th Dan – Aikikai)

Improving your front roll

The front roll was explored in detail. For further information and instruction (including video) on how to safely and effectively execute a forward roll from beginner to advanced levels see – How to do a forward roll.

Kaeshi waza (Reversal techniques)

Kaeshi waza shihonage was explored with a view to improving both our forward ukemi and improving our uke connection throughout the execution of an Aikido technique. For an excellent You Tube video explaining this Kaeshi waza application see Kikentai-Berlin: Kaeshi-waza Aikido shiho-nage by Sutemi-nage.

Characters of Aikido – what do they mean?

The word “Aikido” is made up of three Japanese characters: AI, KI and Do. In basic terms:

“Ai” means literally “to fit” (not “harmony” as is sometimes stated);
“Ki” means “energy”;
“Do” means “way”.

It seems reasonable to suggest therefore that a simple working definition of Aikido is “the way of fitting (or merging) energy”. This definition also aids in understanding as to how Aikido is intended to work in an applied context.

How does Aikido work?

At its essence, applied Aikido operates as follows:

the uke executes an attacking energy (eg strike or grab);
the nage steps off the line of attack;
The nage merges with and leads the uke’s attacking energy in such a way as to neutralise its effect (note this merging ideally begins to occur prior to physical connection between the nage and uke and requires timing, a calm state of mind, relaxed execution and sometimes atemi);
the attacking energy will in most instances be effectively neutralised if the uke is placed in kuzushi (i.e off balanced) and the nage is stable and centred. Ideally entry into kuzushi should occur at the point of physical contact;
The nage merges and redirects the energy of the off-balanced uke in the direction which causes them most likely to fall.

To make their Aikido work, a student Aikido must engage in repetitive and considered practice with a variety of effective uke.

I recall being told when I first started Aikido that it takes 3000 proper practice executions of a technique for a uke to get even a basic idea of how the technique should feel and work with a cooperating uke in a basic kata.

Techniques covered in class

Katatekosadori (one hand hold – opposite side) techniques were explored with an emphasis on understanding the importance of kuzushi (i.e. breaking balance) in an applied Aikido context.

Katatekosadore Shihonage and Ikkyo techniques were examined with particular reference to using the elbow to neutralise the uke’s attack and maintain kuzushi. For an excellent You Tube video on applying Katatekosadore Shihonage from this perspective see – Donovan Waite Sensei 2008 YMCA Class (see at 1.20 min mark).

In addition, Kotegaeshi and Iriminage techniques were covered with an emphasis on achieving kuzushi at first contact.

Aiki self-defence application – Dealing with a strong katadori attack

Simple self-defence applications were explored in the context of using Aiki principles to respond to a strong katadori attack (one hand shoulder or front lapel grab) after contact has been made. I got lucky with this one and found a most informative You Tube video dealing with the same applications (plus some additional ones) see – Aikido Shihan Robert Nadeau: Aikido vs King Kong.

An important message here is that it is okay and quite natural to be startled, panic, freeze etc when confronted by a real-life threatening and strong attack. Training helps us to promptly regain a calmed mind and appropriately respond in this situation.

Another important message is that in a real life self-defence situation – keep your response simple and as direct as possible.

Kokyu Dosa

The “two fingers of doom” to the chest kokyu dosa technique was explored. Okay that’s not its real name – I just made it up.

The purpose of the exercise was to demonstrate the effect of applying ki extension from the outset before the koky dosa exercise has begun and before physical contact. If this approach is taken the uke can be effortlessly off-balanced by lightly applying just 2 fingers to the chest or shoulder.

A sampler of full-contact koky dosa with a standing nage was also briefly looked at. This is new for all of us and something I would like to ask Craig Sensei to demonstrate further in future classes.

Taninzugake

Two ukes-one nage taninzugake (free form multiple attacks) was practised. Ukes were given a choice of Katatekosadori or katatedori attacks. The two attacker dynamic turns up the pressure a bit on the nage and is certainly a worthwhile practice, particularly as we had so many seniors.

All the best. Look forward to seeing you next week for those who can make it.

Ian Grant

No-touch Aikido techniques: Separating fact and fantasy

There are plenty of examples on You Tube where a “martial arts master” appears to take an Obi-Wan Kanobi moment and use an invisible blast to project one or more students across the room. Let me blunt from the outset, I’m a non-believer.

I must confess, I did visit an unaffiliated Aikido dojo some years ago where the possibility of shooting long distance “ki blasts” seemed to be seriously discussed. I should add no one in the room could actually demonstrate such blasts, but the very fact some of them hoped to one day was enough for me never to return.

This is not to say that I don’t believe in the efficacy of so called no-touch Aikido techniques. In fact, the truth is quite the contrary. It’s just that these techniques have nothing to do with Star Wars “let the force be with you” like blasts.

I should also add that I have on many occasions been the recipient of Aikido no-touch techniques. Based on this experience, I can assure the reader they are quite effective and have nothing to do with science fiction or mystic rays.

Essentially what happens is that the nage (i.e. the person doing the technique) neutralises the uke’s attack by executing a strike in such a way that the uke has the option of taking a fall instead of being hit. This takes considerable skill on the part of the nage, both in terms of timing and delivery. Specifically, the strike has to be fast enough such that it cannot be deflected, but slow enough so that the uke has the option of taking the fall to get out of the way of the incoming blow.

In real life, an untrained attacker will most likely be hit rather than choose to fall to avoid the strike. The nage must therefore also be trained in delivering the strike (which in fact is typically more a cut) so as to not suffer injury to their hand or arm when delivering it.

In a dojo setting, a uke well versed in ukemi (falling) is also critical. In essence the uke must respond to the strike as if it were a throw – something requiring some practice to do well.

See below a photograph sequence taken at the former Mizu Aikido Dojo. The demonstrated no-touch technique is being used to neutralise an attacking force in the form of a two armed grab (ryotemochi).

So there you go – no touch techniques really exist.

Ian Grant

How to do a forward roll?

For many people, learning to forward roll is probably one of the most challenging and frustrating parts of Aikido training. I read recently that fear of rolling is one of the major reasons that people avoid taking up Aikido. It is also apparantly one of the major reasons people leave.

Over the years, I have had the misfortune of witnessing way too many Aikido practitioners mistake a forward roll as some form of straight over the head circus tumble. The end result is always the same – injury followed by fear. This is particularly so if you try to circus tumble out of a correctly applied Aikido technique.

One of the most effective forward rolling methods that I have seen is that developed and applied by Donovan Waite Sensei (7th Dan). This method of rolling is what is taught at our dojo. Major benefits include that is more gentle on the body, easier to learn, and importantly martially effective.

For further information on falling arts in aikido – see our video library

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Celebrity Aikidoka

Martial arts training has been an ongoing trend amongst celebrities dating back to the early 70’s. Elvis Presley, Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, Patrick Swayze, Steve McQueen, Mel Gibson, Robert Downey Jr and Christian Bale, to name only a few, have all prolifically trained in one or more martial arts over the years.

While the striking arts tend to dominate celebrity choices for martial practice, a number of high profile actors and singers have reportedly trained in Aikido. They include:

Steven Seagal (7th Dan)

Without doubt, Steven Seagal is the most widely known actor/singer Aikidoka on the planet. In an interview in 2001, Seagal Sensei made the following observations about Aikido and its self-defence applications.

“It’s theoretically based on harmony rather than blocking, kicking and punching. We allow the other person to attack and use his own attack against him by becoming one with his movement and utilizing anatomical weak points, joint blocks and throws, etc.

In a life and death situation the harder the technique becomes. Often times, the attacker creates the life and death situation, because the harder they come the harder they fall. These techniques will work on anybody but you really have to learn them. Aikido is not a quick art to learn.”

Sean Connery (Nidan)

In 1996 during an interview with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show, the James Bond star reportedly not only stated that he was a Nidan in Aikido but also that he broke his wrist while practising with Steven Seagal.

Jerry Seinfeld

“Aikido…I studied that for a while, the martial art. I love that. That’s a wonderful subject. Very good in marriage. I would suggest Aikido training for anyone thinking of getting married” (Quote from interview with Parade Magazine).

John Denver

Country music legend and environmentalist, John Denver, was reportedly a dedicated Aikidoka who trained under Tom Crum Sensei.

Joan Baez (Shodan).

Folk music legend, Joan Baez, is a black belt in Aikido. Photographs of her training can readily be found on the Internet. Ms Baez made the following comment in an interview for the Washington Post when responding to public criticism she had received for her protest activities:

“I don’t care an eyedrop about the criticism…Aikido is carrying over into my life. A few years ago I would have been waking up at night. Not now.”

Ian Grant