Aiki kai

Aiki studies – Cross hand grabs

Opposite side one-hand hold wrist grabs are typically one of the first “attack” types taught to new students of Aikido.  The reason for this is that the less aggressive nature of the attack (compared to say a strike) allows the nage (i.e. the receiver of the attack) to more readily focus on such things as correct footwork, moving around the point of contact, basic balance breaking principles, correct posture and movement, maintaining centre and getting off-line.

As we move to Aiki studies, however, the cross hand grab needs to be considered in the context of a more “real world” martial setting.  Specifically, the grab itself is treated as  nothing more than a precursor or set up for a follow through strike to the head or body.

In the below video Takeda Satoshi Shihan (7th Dan AKI Aikkai) provides instruction for dealing with a cross-hand grab from a purely Aiki perspective. As is typical in Aiki studies the emphasis is on principles with spontaneous creation of technique rather than a predetermined Aikido outcomes.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Fudoshin Warrior Dojo, Brisbane
Aikido Kenkyukai

Training notes: Tachi dori – Shomen giri shiho nage

In the below video Aikido Warrior Dojo seniors demonstrate and explain key aspects of the Aikido technique bokken tori shomen giri shiho nage.  The technique is demonstrated as a response to a downward strike to the head (shomenuchi) where the uke is armed with a wooden sword (bokken).

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Alternate tenkan variation 

In the below video, Peter Brady Shihan (7th Dan Aikikai) provides instruction on an alternate version of bokken tori shiho nage.

 

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

Training notes: Tachi dori shomen giri yonkyo

In the below video Aikido Warrior Dojo seniors demonstrate and explain key aspects of the Aikido technique tachi dori shomen giri yonkyo.  The technique is demonstrated as a response to a downward strike to the head (shomenuchi) where the uke is armed with a wooden sword (bokken).

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Tachi dori shomen giri yonkyo – A deeper look

In the below video, Peter Brady Shihan (7th Dan Aikikai) provides more detailed instruction on the subject version of tachi dori shomen giri yonkyo.

 

  • Yonkyo – Basics

For information and video instruction on the basics of yonkyo – see “Yonkyo (the basics)”

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

Training notes: Tachi dori shomen giri kokyu nage

In the below video Aikido Warrior Dojo seniors demonstrate and explain key aspects of the Aikido technique shomen giri kokyu nage.  The technique is demonstrated as a response to a downward strike to the head (shomen) where the uke is armed with a wooden sword (bokken).

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Hand position on hilt of the bokken

Bokken tori 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Placement of the elbow

Bokken3JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Tachi dori shomen giri kokyu nage – A deeper look

In the below video, Peter Brady Shihan (7th Dan Aikikai) provides more detailed instruction on the subject version of Bokken tori shomenuchi kokyu nage .  While Brady Sensei is not part of our school, the method of applying the techniques is very similar (if not the same) as that practised in our dojo.

 

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

Yokomenuchi shiho nage

Osensei shihonage (6)Shiho nage (4 directions throw) is one of the most important, if not the most important pillar technique in Aikido training. It contains within it the root of every Aikido technique and there is no doubt its proper execution relies on the nage applying all of the fundamental principles that underlie Aikido practice.

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei Sensei demonstrates the omote and ura forms of the Aikido technique  Yokomenuchi shiho nage. This form of shiho nage is practised in response to an attack in the form of a side downward blow to the temple area (yokomenuchi).

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Technical notes – Morito Suganuma Sensei 

In the below video Morito Suganuma Sensei (8th dan Aikikai) demonstrates and provides instruction for Yokomenuchi shiho nage.  The instruction incudes both the omote and ura applications.

 

  • Initial setup –  Technical notes

 

  • Omote application (1) – Technical notes – London Aikido Club

In the following video Sensei Andy Hathaway of the London Aikido Club gives detailed instruction on the traditional application of Yokomenuchi shiho nage (omote) as practised by the Founder of Aikido in the immediate post-war period.  

 

  • Omote application (2) – Technical notes – Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei

 

  • Ura application – technical notes – Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei

 

 

  • Alternate application (1) – Christian Tissier Sensei

In the below video Christian Tissier Sensei (8th Dan Aikikai) demonstrates an alternate application of shiho nage yokomenuchi where the nage directly enters to respond to the attack.

 

  • Alternate application (2) – Aikido Yushinkai

In the below video, Peter Kelly Sensei, Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction for an alternate application of yokomenuchi shiho nage.  The video was recorded at a mini seminar at our Dojo in 2015.

 

Have a great weekend.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo