Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Hanmi handachi shomenuchi kotegaeshi

Hanmi handachi waza is a common form of Aikido practice whereby the nage is in a kneeling position and the uke attacks while standing. In this type of training the uke has the obvious advantage of both mobility and height. However, a skilled nage can still take the balance of the uke by taking advantage of their lower centre of gravity.

Training in hanmi handachi waza is particularly beneficial as it develops skills in taking a uke‘s balance with only minimal lower body movement. The training also assists in understanding the importance of centre and use of the centre line in Aikido practice.

The below video extract of Master Koretoshi Maruyama demonstrates the application of kotegaeshi (outward wrist turn) in hanmi handachi waza to address a straight blow to the centre of the head (i.e. shomenuchi).

Points of note in the demonstration include:

The nage is at an approximate 45 degree angle to the uke and not facing head on;
The nage’s initial movement is itself a shomenuchi cutting movement through the uke’s centreline;
The nage does not attempt to directly clash or in anyway block the uke’s downward strike;
The nage draws the attack into their centre and then uses their centre and centre line as the mechanism and line of movement, respectively, to execute the finish of the technique;
The balance of the uke is completely taken (i.e kuzushi) from the moment of first contact.
The technique is executed to take advantage of the “missing third leg” position to the rear of the uke.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes – Bokken happo giri (8 direction cut)

Bokken arts are not formally examined as part of the grading syllabus in Aikido Yuishinkai until shodan (black belt). However, due to the many transferable skills that Bokken arts offer in aiding our tai jutsu (unarmed) training it is quite common for students to be introduced to these wooden sword based arts almost from the outset.

Bokken happo giri is an 8 direction shomen cut that makes for an ideal introduction to solo bokken practice. This multi-direction kata is an excellent aid to learning and developing spatial awareness, proper posture, heaven-man-earth body quality, balance and footwork while continually moving and cutting in different directions.

Bokken happo giri is also helpful in developing the ability to maintain focus in all directions while continually turning. This ability is particularly useful when dealing with multiple attacker situations in unarmed practice.

At our dojo we regularly practice 3 different forms of bokken happo giri. These are omote, ura and irimi. All 3 forms involve an 8 way cut, however, the footwork differs in each. Each form directly translates into our tai jutsu practice by automating correct footwork and centred relaxed movement in our Aikido techniques.

The video demonstration below by our Chief Instructor Peter Kelly Sensei is of bokken happo giri omote.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes – Yokomenuchi irimi nage

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) demonstrates the three traditional versions of Yokomenuchi irimi nage as practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the immediate post-war period of his life.

Irimi means to enter physically and spiritually into an attack while at the same time simultaneously side stepping it. In the demonstrated technique irimi nage (“entering throw”) is being used to address a traditional strike to the side of the head. This form of strike is called yokomenuchi.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Technical notes – Kihon application (1) – London Aikido Club

Technical notes – Kihon application (2) – Morihiro Saito Sensei

Technical notes – Yokomenuchi – Ki no nagare – Morihiro Saito Sensei

Additional technical notes – Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei

In the below video Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei (8th Dan Aikikai) gives instruction and training tips from an alternate perspective.

All the best

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Ki, Aiki and Aikido – A practical training perspective

The notion of ki and its role in Aikido training can be one of the most confusing, obscure and sometimes divisive concepts in our Art. Finding an understandable definition of ki can be quite challenging to say the least, particularly as its meaning differs depending on the context in which the term is used. Cultural and language barriers also pose a challenge.

From a practical Aikido training perspective, however, one of the most readily understandable, pithy and helpful explanations on the subject is that given by Gozo Shioda Sensei in his text Total Aikido: The master course (1997). He states:

“In Aikido we often use the word “ki,” or energy, but this word covers a variety of meanings. “Ki” as it is manifested in the performance of techniques is what we have when the components of correct posture, centre line, breathing, the explosive power of forced energy, timing, etc., come together so that we reach the highest state of perfect balance. It might be said that “ki” is “the mystery of balance.” ……

“Aiki” (i.e. harmonising of energy) means to lose your ego, it is the technique of submitting to the natural flow of the universe. By doing that you can effortlessly realize your own natural self-defending on the situation that is in front of you, and it is by developing this harmony that we find the realization of aikido.”

So, if I’m reading this right, what is being suggested is that ki in Aikido practice should be looked at as the highest state of “perfect balance” that can be acquired through ego free training that focusses on the basics. Sounds like a pretty good way to train to me.

All the best in your training in 2015.

Ian

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