Dojo videos and pics

Seoi otoshi and seoi nage – What’s the difference?

seio otoshiWhile by no means the most commonly practised “drop” technique, seoi otoshi has nonetheless been part of Aikido since its early days.  A question often asked whenever seio otoshi is practised in the dojo is what is the difference between a seoi otoshi (shoulder drop) and a seoi nage (shoulder throw)?

Given the fact that both techniques involve the loading of the uke onto the back of the nagi (which is what “seoi”means), the confusion between the techniques is understandable. Its is also a technically trite (albeit correct) response to merely state that seoi nage is something more associated with Judo than Aikido.

From a technical perspective, the distinguishing feature of a seio otoshi is that the nage drops to one or both knees and stays there until the completion of the technique.  By Seio nagecomparison, in seoi nage the nage completes the technique from a standing position. Further, a technique is still a seoi nage notwithstanding that the nage may have dropped to one or both knees and then returned to a standing position to complete it.

The below video includes demonstrations of both seio otoshi and seio nage by seniors at our dojo.  The video is a compilation from various sources, including gradings and taninzugake (free form) practice.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Playing with koshi nage – A bokken and jo perspective

Although part of the broader Aikido syllabus, one of our favourite techniques to practice at the dojo is koshi nage (hip throw). In fact, there would rarely be a class where this technique does not appear in some form.

bokken koshi nageLike many Aikido techniques, the origins of koshi nage trace back to the battlefield. With this in mind,  we recently resolved to study the technique in the context of paired weapons practice, specifically bokken (wooden sword) vs bokken and jo (staff) vs bokken. Below is a video recording of our first efforts in this regard.

The informally recorded demonstrations are intentionally experimental and involve subtle differences in terms of hand placement on the weapon, form of ukemi, method of moving off-line, atemi, feet position and balance breaking.   All in all a very useful and informative learning exercise.

As a qualifier when viewing the video, please note that our dojo is not a sword or jo school and we are not about learning to “fight” with these weapons.  For us, the purpose of paired weapons practice is to magnify errors in our Aikido technique and to give us the  opportunity to apply Aikido principles in different situations.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

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Learning to breakfall – its a lot easier than it looks

Yokomenuchi kokyu nageAt our dojo learning to breakfall is an accepted part of our training culture.  The ability to breakfall is something we learn and develop to make sure we stay safe in our practice and to enable us to practice Aikido at its more advanced levels.

Most classes include a breakfalling skills development component. The focus of the training tends to be on traditional breakfalling, as this form of ukemi can be  universally applied to receive any technique.  In addition, some seniors also venture down the supplemental path of what is sometimes referred to as “feather rolling”.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA key aspect of our training is to not only focus on the uke, but also the nage. Given that the decision as to whether the uke is to breakfall generally lies with the nage, it is important that the nage has the skills to not only remain stable and anchored (if for no other reason so as not to fall on their uke), but also support and turn the uke to assist them in landing safely and correctly.

The below video shows a selection of some of the breakfalling exercises that we commonly do at the dojo. While some may appear daunting at first look, they are surprisingly easy to pick up with the appropriate instruction. They are also a lot of fun.  You will note from the video that they are being practised by persons of varied ages, sizes and experience levels.

Have a great weekend

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

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Round up – Peter Kelly Sensei class – 12 August 2015

Following on from the Winter Aikido Yuishinkai Seminar this weekend, our Chief Instructor,  Peter Kelly Sensei, visited our dojo on Wednesday as guest instructor.

Peter Kelly seminar 1Given our dojo’s particular interest in studying applied kokyu ho applications, Peter Sensei took us through a wide variety of kokyu nage techniques.  Peter Sensei also examined kokyu nage in the context of a direct strike to the face (ganmen-tsuki), which is an attack we have just started exploring at the dojo in recent months.

For those not familiar with kokyu ho applications, they constitute what is often referred to as the 4th pillar of Aikido. Kokyu ho techniques in the early years of our budo were considered secret techniques not to be shared publicly outside the dojo.  The reason for this is that kokyu ho is the method of generating power in our Aikido throws and applications.  Further, while there is a whole of branch techniques in Aikido called kokyu nage, in reality all techniques at their essence require kokyu ho to translate them from cooperative to applied practice.

In addition to paired practice, Peter Sensei also provided instruction on solo heavy bokken exercises to help develop kokyu ho through vertical-horizontal plane movement. While too difficult to explain in a blog, the exercises will be added to the dojo’s regular bokken (wooden sword) exercises.

A huge thank you to Peter Sensei for taking the class.  It’s a major commitment from Peter  to visit Brisbane from Tasmania, not the least of which is time spent away from his family. I think I speak for everyone when I say how much we really appreciate everything Peter is doing to lead our school in its new direction.

Also thanks to Griffith Aikido Institute for arranging Peter’s seminar in Brisbane in the first place. Last but not least, thank you to everyone who attended.

Plenty of instructional videos to come in the next few weeks to make sure we don’t forget what we were shown.

All the best

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Breakfall basics class – 15 July 2015

Some video of the “breakfall basics” class held at the dojo on 11 July 2015.

Big thanks to our dojo seniors Matt, Neil, Peter and Jeremy for their assistance in teaching and ensuring practice was safe.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

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