martial arts

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

Atemi waza – Munetsuki strikes

MunetsukiIn Aikido, strikes (atemi) are often used to set up techniques, as well as being an end in themselves.

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei demonstrates and provides instruction on how strikes to the torso (munetsuki) are executed in Aikido Yuishinkai.

The demonstrated method of munetsuki generates its power through the lower limbs to take full advantage of what is sometimes referred to in Aikido as the vertical-horizontal plane.  In most simple terms – one sinks to move forward.

The result is that the strike is backed by the entire body of the nage rather just the activation of the muscle groups in the upper arm.  It also allows the nage’s body to naturally move off the line of an incoming direct attack and facilitates extra strike reach than would normally be expected (see below video).

 

For further videos and discussion of atemi waza in Aikido training on this site see – Atemi arts (striking)

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

 

 

Dojo shodan grading – Neil Neilsen Sensei

When it comes to milestones in an Aikido practitioner’s journey, testing for shodan is one of the biggest. With this in mind, I had the privilege today to convene a shodan testing panel for one of our dojo’s founding members – Neil Neilsen.

One of the great aspects  of the culture at our dojo is that grading milestones are a community event. It’s important to all of us that those being tested not only pass but pass with “flying colours”.  Neil’s grading was no different with everyone banding together to help him train for his test though the Christmas/New Year break.

As for the actual grading event, Neil readily exceeded the technical testing requirements and continually opted to do the “extra mile”. When it came to the 3 person attacker component (sanningake), for example, he resolved to take 4 attackers.

Similarly, after completing the formal requirements in the syllabus, and despite being understandably tired, he requested to have his ukemi tested (a dojo tradition).  This essentially involved him being the uke in 6 consecutive taninzugake (free form practice), each with a different dojo senior.   Neil effortlessly took endless breakfalls and other complex ukemi as part of this.

The video below gives some of the grading moments captured by our resident photographer Eden.     

 

Congratulations to Neil on his grading and a huge thank you to all the ukes who participated. Big thank you also to Michael Sensei (Bald Hills Dojo) and Mike Nash Sensei (Aikido Republic) who joined us on the day to support Neil and participate in the grading.

Have a great weekend.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo Brisbane

 

Training Notes: Jo nage kokyu nage

Jo nage throwIn the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique kokyu nage where the nage is armed with a wooden staff (a jo).  This type of training is referred to as jo nage.

For instruction purposes, Maruyama Sensei demonstrates the key components of the technique from a static position. To illustrate how the technique looks from a dynamic perspective, archive footage of O’sensei (circa 1950’s) is also included. The uke in the  footage is a very young Morihiro Saito Shihan.

 

Technical notes

  • Don’t merge the foot work into one move

In the video Maruyama Sensei demonstrates the foot work in 3 separate segments – (1) enter with leading foot; (2) tenkan; and (3) moon-shadow the lead foot forward to enter into the uke’s space.  These 3 segments are performed as separate movements and should not be merged.  Further, the final projection is not executed by the nage until all 3 segments of the footwork are completed. The key parts of the technique (including footwork) are illustrated below.

jo nage 1ajo nage step 1Jo nage step 2Jo nage step 3

 

 

 

(1) Initial position           (2) Step in                   (3) Tenkan                    (4) Moon-shadow

Jo nage throw

 

 

 

(4) Complete technique

  • Don’t pitch back to “bow and arrow/sling-shot” the projection

There is a tendency when performing tenkan kokyu nage based projections for the nage to pitch back their upper torso after the tenkan movement, or to slide their rear foot an extra distance back. This is done in an effort to put extra power in the move and “sling shot” the uke.

This should be avoided. All it does is separate connection and give the uke an opportunity to counter attack. For further discussion of this point, including the correct way to enter and tenkan in kokyu nage techniques see Training Notes: Munetsuki kokyu nage (ura).

  • Use centre point of jo

saito osenseiMaruyama Sensei particularly emphasises in the video the importance of focusing on the centre point of the jo as measured between the distance of the uke‘s hands.  It is only by focussing movement of the jo at this point that the nage is able to not only retain control of the jo, but also move the uke’s centre so that the conditions for a successful throw are possible.

All the best for 2016.

Ian Grant
Do Jo Cho
 Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Jo nage kotegaeshi

Maruyama 3In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei (Aikido Yuishinkai) demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique kotegaeshi (outer wrist turn) where the nage is armed with a wooden staff (a jo).

Maruyama Sensei particularly emphasises in the video the importance of focusing on the centre point of the jo as measured between the distance of the uke‘s hands.  It is only by focussing movement of the jo at this point that the nage is able to not only retain control of the jo, but also move the uke’s centre so that the conditions for a successful throw are possible.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Demonstration by Master Morihei Ueshiba 

In the below video, the Founder of Aikido, Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’sensei), performs jo nage kotegaeshi in free form practice (taninzugake).  The recording was made in 1952.   O’sensei was 69 years old.

 

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo