Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wednesday's Class

We had a guest instructor from Poland - Robert Sensei (sorry if I've got the name wrong). Piotr Sensei also kindly availed his presence and watched us during our session. (He was from the airport having just arrived).

During the session we went through the basics of GyakuHanmi KatateDori Ikkyo - for me this was perfect as it is one technique that I'm trying to really understand. Yes - it is one of the elementary ones but also one of the foundational ones.

Weapons was Jo - we went through the basics of Tsuki, Kesa and Shomen.

Before I forget - welcome back Daniel!

Otherwise, until Friday!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Wednesday's Class

Okay, have you read my last post? Welcome to the cycle of Aikido; now I'm on the downward spiral. Last session was 'Ultimate coolness!' This one 'Ultimate not coolness!'. Nothing worked for me! I just can't quite get the up and down - it's a roller coaster. A technique works today - next day it's another story. For me, today's class reminds me of the importance on taking that one more step - hopeful next class will be my up ride. But coming to think of it, there is also riding upside down - all this is just confusing (and reflects my current state of Aikido) - so I'll just stop here.

Quick summary of today's techniques; all TachiWaza AiHanmi Sankyo:
  • KatateDori Omote & Ura versions
  • Yokomen Tenkan Kaiten variant - and for Daniel 'YokomenUchi' :) Thanks for reading the posts. Can't wait to be your Uke :)

Weapons was Jo Sansho 1.


Important notice: Next class is next Wednesday

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Friday's Class

Ultimate coolness! I loved the session - why?
  • 2 hours long
  • 50% new comers
  • yes - the techniques

Here they are (all AiHanmi):
  • Nikyo
  • Sankyo
  • Shiho
  • KoteGaeshi
  • Yokomen Kaiten Sankyo
  • Yokomen Shiho
  • Yokomen KoteGaeshi
  • 'Nikyo Sankyo' - pretty effective
  • Tenkan Shiho
  • others, which I may have forgotten or some variation/combination of the above

(I'm still working on generating my 'cosmic energy' / 'water hose extension' flow).

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Wednesday's Class

Okay... It's already another week - time is really moving fast. Perhaps it is just me, but weeks are really flying. It's already May! (In slightly over 2 weeks).

Back to the Aikido, we practiced the following techniques (all KatateDori):
  • AiHanmi Irimi Nage Omote & Ura
  • GyakuHanmi Ikkyo Omote

Points to remember:
  • Irimi has 3 variants dependent on level of entry
  • With some techniques, trying using an Atemi while performing it

Weapons session... Jo as usual. Not mentioning the few knocks here and there on the fingers (ouch! But it is always a learning lesson; a definite pointer for improvement), we revised Sansho1

Before I forget Friday's class will be 2 hours long. Until then!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Friday's Class

We covered the following techniques:
  • GyakuHanmi KatateDori KoteGaeshi
  • RyoteDori Tenchi Nage Omote & Ura
  • AiHanmi KatateDori Juji Nage

In addition, there were the Ukemi (forward & back).

Personally, all these techniques are getting interesting and more practical - well some are more difficult for me. But what now happens is the 'option-syndrome'; with a variety of options, selecting one becomes an issue. It's like this, I have an opportunity to try Shiho but Irimi pops into mind, offloads Shiho, and I'm back to square one. What to do? Perhaps with time :)

By the way, Friday's classes will now be 2 hours long - 5 to 7pm. Now this is cool!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Wednesday's Class

We went through the basic techniques from TachiWaza AiHanmi, namely,
  • Ikkyo
  • Sankyo
  • KoteGaeshi

It was an interesting lesson for me in part because of my partners. I remember Sensei mentioning that it is not about strength but about the basic concepts; if a technique can work in slow motion and without involving physical strength, then that's Aiki! For me it was fun watching the techniques work fluidly - even if only for this lesson!

For the weapons, it was Jo Sansho1. 3 new extra moves were covered. Remember there is a difference between the big & small kesa, and the low kesa knee strike requires one to bend their knees.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Friday's Class

We covered the following techniques (from TachiWaza):
  • GyakuHanmi Sankyo
  • AiHanmi KoteGaeshi
  • AiHanmi Nikyo (both the short & long versions)
  • GyakuHanmi Reverse KoteGaeshi

Points to remember:
  • with Sankyo, it is not just pulling down but also cutting through Uke (much more effective)

Sensei also mentioned that we might be getting more hours at the embassy - this would definitely be great!

Wednesday's Class

2nd part of class - Jo practice. We covered Sansho 1 as in previous classes and it was exciting, at least for me, to finally be getting a complete picture of the whole thing. I don't know what it is but the Jo seems to be an interesting weapon; something like a middle ground. But anyway, Sansho 1 was practiced. By the way, Sensei mentioned there are 3 Sansho's. Hence, we are almost 1/3 way through - encouraging thought!

For the 1st part of class - the techniques, well... class began before I 'arrived'