Dojo videos and pics

Working with resistance – Static hand grabs

A standard feature of our practice at the dojo is to train with static hand grabs where strong physical resistance is applied by the uke (the attacking partner). There are many benefits to this type of training, not the least of which is that we have found it to be an effective method of gaining a practical appreciation of the fundamental principles that underlie Aikido based movements and body structure.

morihei-ueshiba-noma-throwPlease be assured that I am not in any way derogating kotai (static) practice where the uke offers full cooperation or at most a dead weight. Far from it and in fact we also include this practice at the dojo. However, if one only practices in this way the risk is the development of an unstated understanding that Aikido can only operate in a static situation with a cooperative uke.

The below video is an informal demonstration of a number of Aikido options for dealing with static hand grab attacks where the attacker is using high levels of physical strength. The demonstrated techniques are performed slowly and with every effort made not to respond with physical strength solutions, but rather responses based on Aikido principles, including those associated with kokyu. The possibility of using atemi (striking) was intentionally excluded to make the exercises more difficult.

Please note the techniques and attack options are not intended to be exhaustive, merely illustrative. The attacks were selected randomly based on what popped into our heads at the time. The Aikido responses were similarly not pre-planned and were selected at random based on what “felt right” to each of us in each circumstance.

Finally, a huge thanks to Eden for dropping down to the dojo and recording the video. Also to my training partner, Jeremy, who graciously agreed to appear in the recording and basically “wing it”.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Round-up: Peter Kelly Sensei class and 1st kyu gradings (22 April 2015)

On Wednesday 22 April 2015, I had the privilege to grade two of our dojo founding members, Peter and Jeremy, to 1st kyu (brown belt) in Aikido Yuishinkai. The event was made extra special by our Chief Instructor, Peter Kelly Sensei, also attending and afterwards giving an informal “by request” format class.

Grading notes

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA major emphasis in our dojo (and Aikido Yuishinkai Australia generally) over the last 18 months is that development of technical and internal art skills is contingent upon our ukemi skills continuing to develop along with them at the same rate.

With this in mind, Peter and Jeremy not only demonstrated the necessary techniques in taninzugake (free form) practice to fulfil their promotion requirements but also demonstrated they could readily receive them as well. I think it would be fair to say that the high quality of their ukemi was very much on display and did them both proud.

By way of more general comment, Peter and Jeremy are two of the most committed aikido practitioners I have ever met and very much embrace the training spirit that underpins Aikido practice. They are more than deserving of the hakamas they now wear and congratulations to them both.

Training notes – By request class  

For those not familiar with this style of class, essentially it involves Peter Sensei giving instruction and assistance with techniques in response to queries raised by the students on the mat. Unlike last year’s similar class where koshinage and ikkyo were the focus, this year it was kaite nage (“wheel throw”) and shiho nage (4 direction throw) applications which inspired the questions. Irimi nage (entering throw) and kokyu nage (breath throw) were also explored.

Key training tips and links to relevant video extracts from the class can be found below.

Commemorative video

As we often do at our dojo when an event occurs, we cobble together the best of our photos and video, to put together a visual memento of the occasion for our dojo record books.

Acknowledgments

A big thank you to Peter Sensei for visiting our dojo and our friends from Griffith Aikido Institute for supporting our grading and joining us in our Wednesday class. It was also great to have family and friends of Jeremy and Peter over to visit the dojo and join us for the gradings.

Last but certainly not least, a personal thanks to our dojo members for not only giving their all as ukes and nages on the night, but for making our dojo such a great place to train every other night as well. Thumbs up also to our wonderful admin team (Desiree, Eden and Darcy) who keep the dojo cooking behind the scenes.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

One last look at 2014

It’s a new year and time to move forward and onward.  For many of us 2014 certainly had its challenging moments. For me it was health issues, for others it was injuries, work pressures, and in some cases, life just not going the direction it was supposed to. One great thing about training, however, is that for the time you are at the dojo it’s a chance to leave the world and all its problems at the front door.

There were lots of highs during the year – successful gradings, opportunities to attend  seminars, the privilege of teachers and seniors from other schools joining us in our training and most importantly enjoying each others’ company.

Before we say goodbye to 2014, I thought we could take one last look at some of the moments that helped define it at the dojo.  Here’s looking forward to training in 2015 (we start on Wednesday 7 January).

Ian

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

5th kyu gradings and tanto class – Video slide show

Congratulations to Chelsea, Tom and Alastair on their 5th Kyu gradings on Saturday.  Also, to Zac for his 4th Kyu grading from last week. Well done guys – it was an honour to be on your grading panel.

Also, a big thank you to all the ukes and Matt Sensei for joining me on the panel.

Ian

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

Breaking boards using relaxed power, gravity and centreline – A reality check

Let me say from the outset that breaking boards is not part of Aikido and I am in no way advocating that it should be. It’s just something done at our dojo from time to time after class as a sort of reality check. Participation is purely voluntary.

So much of Aikido is counter-intuitive and for some us (like myself) it is comforting to put principles like relaxed power, gravity and centreline to a personal test. Breaking a board that requires 114 kg of impact power is one way of doing this.  There are no doubt many other ways. Its akin to rolling on hard surfaces from time to time to see if your ukemi is as soft as you think it is (and yes some of us do that too).

The below video was taken at the end of a class at our dojo on 25 October 2014.   Most who decided to have a go at breaking the board were able to do so or very close to achieving it.  The biggest challenge (like most things in Aikido) is believing that relaxed softness, combined with being centred and using gravity, can generate not only sufficient power to break the board but also cause no pain.

In any event these were the results.

Have a great weekend.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo