O’Sensei

Training Notes – Morotedori kokyu ho

Morote tori kokyu ho was one of the three techniques O’Sensei taught at all of his classes. At basic level, the technique is practised against a uke who is offering resistance. O”Sensei considered that the regular practice of morotedori kokyu ho was essential to build an “aiki body“.

Given the high emphasis that the Founder placed on morote tori kokyu, it is regularly practised at our dojo.

In the below videos Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) demonstrates morotedori kokyu ho at kihon (basic) and ki no nagare (free flowing) levels.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Technical details – Basic (kihon) level – Morihiro Saito Sensei

Morotedori kokyu ho – ki no nagare

In the below video, Saito Sensei demonstrates how to apply Morotedori kokyu ho at a higher level free flowing technique. This level of application should not be attempted until mastery of the basic version has been achieved.

Hanmi

In the following video, Saito Sensei explains in more detail the hanmi principles underlying morotedori kokyu ho.

Correct way to grab

Morotedori kokyu ho – Peter Kelly Sensei

In the below video, Peter Kelly Sensei, Aikido Yuishinkai Tasmania, provides training tips on morote tori kokyu ho. Peter Sensei describes the movement as follows:

“The basic premis is a double spiral, both the hara and the arm. The left hand atemi to the abdomen helps get the pelvis in the correct position to not use strength in the hand which is twisted and held down with alot of resistance. The resistance helps to generate powerful hips and body.”

Morotedori kokyu ho (ura)

In the below video Saito Sensei demonstrates how Morotedori kokyu ho is applied if the nage commences the exercise with a tenkan movement.

An alternate approach

In the following video, Takashi Kuroki Sensei of Nishio Aikido gives instruction on an alternate approach to Morotedori kokyu ho. This approach is also practiced at our dojo.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Aikido and the big picture

There is an often cited quote from the Founder of Aikido, Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’Sensei), that goes along the following lines:

“Aikido is not a technique to fight and defeat the enemy. It is a way to reconcile the World and make human beings one family.”

I have often pondered on this statement and wondered how it is possible that a martial art or any form of budo for that matter could hope to achieve such a lofty goal.

In the context of Aikido, its probably not that surprising that I can never recall anyone ever talking about World peace or anything like it. Our efforts on the mat are exclusively focussed on developing our skills, working on ways to improve our body structure and basically enjoying our practice. After class many of us then head out for a coffee, have a few laughs and then return to our regular lives. World reconciliation just never comes up.

It then struck me the other day as I was leading a class that I had missed something obvious. Looking around the dojo there were people of different ages, background, gender, physical ability, work life, etc. Everyone was working together to help each other improve their skills and understanding, be safe and just have fun. In short, they were just enjoying each other’s company and learning from their differences.

I then realised that this is what O’Sensei was probably talking about.

Until next time

Ian

So why open a dojo?

The decision to open up a new Aikido dojo is certainly not for the faint of heart. In the modern world, its establishment alone is filled with many challenges and responsibilities, including arranging insurance, dojo space, affiliations, mats, licences, management and financial systems, compliance with legislative obligations, policies and procedures, advertising, …. and the list goes on.

With all these issues, and the fact that it’s much easier to be a student or guest teacher at someone else’s dojo, the most common question I get asked is why did you open up a dojo?

For me the answer to this question is simple – it’s something I’ve dreamed of doing since the first day I stepped on a martial arts mat some 40 or so years ago. Back then it was a Judo mat, but as time went on I transitioned into Judo’s sister art, Aikido. While the martial art changed, the dream to start my own dojo never waned.

So what is it about a dojo (or “place of the way”) that makes it so special? The obvious answer is that it’s a place where you get to learn, explore, share, and practice your Japanese martial art of choice with those who have a similar passion and interest.

For me, however, a dojo is more than this. It’s a place where we can leave our problems at the front door and for the relatively short time that we are there, live in a world which is positive, encouraging, free of politics, welcoming, non-discriminatory and fun.

The way I see it, the world is full of institutions, systems and individuals apparently hell-bent on putting people down and stripping them of their confidence. A dojo is an escape from this. My suggestion to anyone who has walked into an Aikido dojo and experienced feeling worse about themselves than when they went in – find another dojo.

And so when I opened the doors of Aikido Warrior Dojo for the first time on Saturday morning 8 March 2014, I had no doubts about what I was doing – this is where I was supposed to be. The fact that we were immediately greeted by 2 “welcome swallows” who decided to join us while we set up seemed only appropriate.

Finally a big thank you to everyone who helped set up Aikido Warrior Dojo in the last couple of weeks. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Ian Grant Sensei
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo