Aikido Warrior

Our First Shodan Tests – Video Slideshow

When it comes to milestones in an Aikido practioner’s journey, one’s shodan grading is no doubt one of them. This Saturday, two of our founding dojo members Brendan and Matt stepped up to test for this major achievement. They both performed excellent gradings and exhibited skills more than equal to the task. It was a absolute privilege and honour to sit on their grading panel.

Congratulations to both Brendan and Matt and also to all the ukes that assisted and demonstrated such fine ukemi skills. Also a big thank you to Eden for taking photographs and producing the below slideshow.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Martial moves – Peter Kelly Sensei returns

While in town for the upcoming Brisbane Aikido Yuishinkai seminar this weekend, our Chief Instructor Peter Kelly Sensei dropped in to the dojo to take our Thursday night class.

To say his teachings were most insightful would be an understatement. I’ve heard the statement sometimes said that Aikido techniques can be divided into 2 categories – “those for go and those for show”. Peter’s motto is more like there are 2 types of techniques – “those for go and those you haven’t figured out yet”.

Anyone with any doubts that Aikido is a powerful and most effective martial art would certainly have had them wiped away on Thursday night. Strong centred attacks were the name of the game. Full kuzushi on contact using traditional sword based movements, a heaven-man-earth body structure and applied yin-yang principles was how it was played. Loved every minute of it!

Big thanks to Peter Sensei for taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit us. As is typically the case, we had a camera and took some photos.

Looking forward to attending this weekend’s seminar.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Good to be back – Aikido Warrior Dojo class album – 28 June 2014

After 6 weeks of usually being no more useful than a ceremonial hood ornament at the dojo and finally on Friday getting a medical clearance for “light admin duties”, today was the day I had been waiting for – the chance to get back on the mat for an attempt at some serious training.

I wasn’t sure how I would go after 2 abdominal surgeries and some major scar tissue still on the mend, but I figured it was time to give it a go and give things a test. Muscle memory combined with some strategic ukemi landings and the occasional gritting of the teeth, kept me in one piece and I had a great time. Big thanks to everyone for making sure I didn’t end up on the receiving end of a front or awkward breakfall, let alone an unexpected strike to the stomach!

Those who were there know that Eden dropped down to take some photos. While I think by looking at them I appear to have aged 10 years in 6 weeks – they make a nice addition to the dojo’s photo memorabilia.

All the best

Ian

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training Notes – Shomenuchi Ikkyo

In this video training note Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai Australia, provides instruction on how to correctly perform shomenuchi ikkyo from the Aikido Yuishinkai syllabus.

The instruction not only includes the shape or outer form of the technique but also covers the inner structural aspects that make it work in a martial context. Key Aikido Yuishinkai principles discussed and shown include “center pole”, sinking, “heaven-man-earth”, centre-line, controlling the space and the “horizontal-vertical plane”.

Ian Grant Sensei
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo
Brisbane

Training Notes – Ukemi (Fundamental principles)

This video training note refers to the first in a new series of training videos prepared by Peter Kelly Sensei (7th Dan Aikido Yuishinkai) dealing with the topic of ukemi and uke arts in Aikido Yuishinkai practice.

The Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, Master Koretoshi Maruyama, has asked that the development and advancement of high level ukemi skills be given a priority focus in our Aikido training in Australia this year. To this end Peter Kelly Sensei, Technical Director for Aikido Yuishinkai in Australia, has been travelling the country to give ukemi (and other Aikido) training to Aikido Yuishinkai members.

In support of this training, Peter Sensei has prepared a series of training videos to assist instructors and students in developing the requisite skills. The below video is Part 1 in the series. Topics covered include:

What is ukemi?;
Responsibility of the uke to give a tangible attack so that the nage has something to work with;
The folly and danger of acrobatic/circus rolling in Aikido practice;
The importance of rolling “like a cat”
Exercises to develop good ukemi skills;
Responsibility of the uke to not anticipate attacks, stay connected and remain centred for as long as possible;
Remaining relaxed when taking ukemi, including when breakfalling.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo