Ian Grant Sensei

Aiki principles – Yokomen is shomen

In the below video Chicko Xerri Sensei explores the Aiki principles underpinning a yokomen strike or cut in Aikido practice.

Yokomen is described in the Founders 2nd text, Budo (1938), as a “blow to the side of your partner’s head or down diagonally across (their) shoulder with your te-gatana (hand sword)”.

The importance of yokomen training in Aikido is also discussed in the text. Of particular note is the statement that training in yokomen attacks “…contains the essence of all techniques“.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Yokomenuchi basics – Mike Jones Sensei – NY Aikikai

Chicko Xerri Sensei – Brief Bio

Our dojo is a Fudoshin dojo operating under the guidance and mentorship of Chicko Xerri Sensei, 6th dan AKI (Aikikai), Tokyo. Chicko Sensei has been practising and teaching Aikido for more than 40 years and is endorsed by Doshu Ueshiba.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Fudoshin Dojo

Learnings from the sword – Dealing with shoulder grabs

A key aspect of our practice at the dojo is to use traditional sword movements to enhance and improve our unarmed arts. Our practice in this regard incorporates the use of a wide range of bokkens including the shoto (short sword), suburito and Musashi oar.

Exploring Aikido in this way is in line with comments made by Master Morihei Ueshiba (The Founder of Aikido) that Aikido at its essence is a form of taijutsu that incorporates traditional sword principles

In the below video Ian Grant and Jeremy Gehrke Sensei use the short sword to explore the Aiki principles associated with absorbing and redirecting an an attack in the form of a shoulder grab (katadori).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Aiki principles and katadori

In the below video Chicko Xerri Sensei explores some of the key Aiki principles that underpin Aikido forms to address an attack from a shoulder grab. An integral part of the instruction in both videos is the use of the bokken to enhance understanding of the basic movements used in this type of practice.

Chicko Xerri Sensei – Brief Bio

Have a great weekend

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Fudoshin Dojo

Aiki Studies – Moving offline with natural posture

In the below video Chicko Xerri Sensei explores the Aiki concept of moving offline while at the same time a maintaining a natural posture. This method of movement typified the expression of Aikido demonstrated by Master Morihei Ueshiba (The Founder of Aikido) in the later parts of his life.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Exercises and applied practice

In the below video Aikido Warrior Dojo seniors demonstrate exercises and practical applications to develop skills in moving off-line while maintaining natural posture.

Chicko Xerri Sensei – Brief Bio

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Fudoshin Dojo

Training notes: Munadori koshi nage

In the below video, Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) demonstrates 3 versions of the Aikido technique koshi nage (hip throw) in response to a front lapel grab (munedori).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Mundadori koshi nage (Nage takes wrist from below)

Munadori menuchi koshi nage (omote)

The below video demonstrates how koshi nage is performed if the lapel grab is accompanied by a strike to the temple.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Katatedori kotegaeshi

Kotegaeshi is an Aikido technique which involves the application of an outward wrist turn. It can be used to respond to a variety of traditional aikido attacks, including a same side wrist grab (katatedori kotegaeshi) .

Aikido Warrior Dojo is a Fudoshin dojo operating under the guidance and mentorship of Chicko Xerri Sensei, 6th Dan AKI (Aikikai).

In the below video Chicko Sensei uses a dynamic application of katatedori kotegaeshi to illustrate, amongst other things, the balance taking principles that typically underpin Aikido practice.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Katatedori kotegaeshi – Basic form

In the below video, Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) demonstrates and explains the basic form of katatedori kotegaeshi as practised by O’sensei in the immediate post-war period of his life.

Katatedori kotegaeshi – Pictorial explanation

See below a photo demonstration (including description) by Saito Sensei of the key elements that make up the basic form of katatedori kotegaeshi.

*Source: “Morihori Saito’s Complete Guide to Aikido” (2015)

Brief Biography – Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002)

Morihiro Saito Sensei’s practice of Aikido spanned 56 years and he is one of the most important teachers in Aikido history. Saito Sensei was a live-in student of O’sensei for more than 20 years at his home dojo in Iwama, Japan.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Doj Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo