Master Morihei Ueshiba

Kokyu dosa – Aikido Yuishinkai

Kokyu dosa is an Aikido exercise in balance taking where both partners kneel facing each other. The exercise is performed with the uke (the receiver of the technique) holding their partner’s wrists or elbows, during which the nage endeavours to take their uke’s balance. Kokyu dosa in some schools is also referred to as suwari waza kokyu ho.

There are numerous benefits of kokyu dosa practice. For newcomers to Aikido, it enables them in many cases to experience for the first time what being centred actually feels like. The practice also allows Aikido principles, such as “centre line”, “centre pole” and relaxed unified movement, to be explored without the added complication of foot work.

Key lessons from the practice include the concept of moving around immovable points of resistance. Another is the idea of identifying and moving through “lines of tension” in the uke to take their centre and balance.

Consistent with the traditional approach to Aikido training of its Founder, Master Morihei Ueshiba, kokyu dosa is usually practiced at our dojo at the end of each class.

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei provides instruction on the basic form of kokyu dosa as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai.

Other forms kokyu dosa

For examples and training notes for other forms of kokyu dosa see:

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Munetsuki kokyu nage – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction for one of the versions of munetsuki kokyu nage. The technique is categorised as a “breath throw” and is practised as a response to a strike or thrust to the stomach (munetsuki).

From a superficial mechanical perspective, the technique appears deceptively straightforward. In reality, however, it can be quite challenging to successfully perform. It requires substantive skills in entering, timing, sinking, maintaining centre pole and moving as a single relaxed unit.

Further, like most more advanced Aikido techniques the uke’s balance is not taken by movements of the nage’s upper body, but by the correct movement of the nage’s lower half of their body. The nage’s hand on the uke’s arm is merely the connection point.

One of the training advantages that we have found at the dojo with this particular version of munetsuki kokyu nage is that the internal skills and aikido principles necessary to perform it offer a “gateway” to learning other advanced techniques, including for example munetsuki kaitenage.

Have a great weekend.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Yokomenuchi shiho nage

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

Training notes – Munetsuki shiho nage

Shiho nage (4 directions throw) is considered to be one of the most important pillar techniques in Aikido training. The name of the technique stems from the fact that a skilled nage can throw the uke in any of 4 directions.

In the below video Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor – Aikido Yuishinkai Australia, demonstrates and provides instruction on the application of shiho nage to address a strike to the torso (munetsuki shiho nage).

Peter Sensei focuses on the initial entry for the technique which in essence utilises sword based movements and associated body structure to completely take the uke’s balance (kuzushi) at the point of first contact. When done correctly the effect on the uke is that any attempt to resist the technique only serves to hasten their loss of balance.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Atemi waza – Munetsuki strikes

In 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