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.
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 kuzushion 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.
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.
A photo album from our Saturday morning training session on 29 March 2014. The accompanying bossa nova is played by our very own Craig Boyd Sensei. Big thanks to Eden for taking the photos.
Its always interesting to experiment with Aikido applications. Sometimes the experiments work out, sometimes not. Its all part of the learning experience.
With this spirit in mind, I recently decided to participate in a test to see if Aikido principles could be applied to break boards normally reserved for students of striking arts. Now I should state from the outset that I have never previously tried or even considered breaking a board with my hand. The chance of being attacked by a pile of lumber just seemed too remote to bother with such a proposition.
I resolved to attempt to break a board with an open palm downward atemi (strike) using the suwai sho 2 movement from the Aikido Yuishinkai junan taiso. This taiso exercise is something most Aikido Yuishinkai students do at the start of just about every class. Most importantly for the subject experiment, it’s an exercise that generates power from your centre in a downward direction.
Throwing caution to the wind, I tried to break a (new) JOLS re-breakable board designed for advanced karate students. Of some concern was that, according to its packaging, the board required 114kg of impact power to break. Further, there was internet commentary to the effect that experienced striking art students often had difficulty breaking the board. This information didn’t inspire me with confidence.
My first attempt failed miserably and painfully. Fuelled by trepidation, I used the one strategy that could never work – I resorted to physical strength. On contact, my palm felt like it was going to explode and the throw back vibration went through both my hand and arm so hard I’m sure my ancestors felt it. There was no doubt some well deserved bruising was coming my way.
Just prior to my second attempt, I resolved this time to rely only on fundamental Aiki principles – standing straight, relaxing completely, moving from my centre, keeping weight underside, dropping through the elbow and maintaining an unbendable arm. I also removed from my mind the fact that the point of contact with the board was going to be my still smarting hand.
I’m pleased to say my hand this time went through the board like it was slicing butter (see video below). I didn’t feel any pain or reverberation at all. After breaking the board a few more times, I then had a go at breaking 2 boards which required 143 kg of impact power to break. Succeeded again!
So there you go – Aiki principles like moving from your centre, weight underside, unbendable arm and relaxed power really do work!
All the best
Ian
Credits: Big thanks to Robert Monro for his help in setting up, support and encouragement of the experiment. Also to Darren Philips for his impromptu recording of the exercise.
Aikido Warrior Dojo 
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