Monday, April 30, 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall

The whole of last week I have been unable to make contributions to the blog as the browser I was used to no longer supports blogger.com but all in all I hope that all is well now.

For starters,last Monday and Wednesday's sessions consisited of 3 Kyu and some 2 Kyu techniques but as for last Friday's session,it all began with Mae Ukemi from Tachi Waza and since for the first 10 minutes or so it was Sensei and I alone,I was glad Sensei pointed out the bad habits that I am used to especially bending the elbow when rolling and I will try my level best to correct this.

The techniques and attacks Sensei took us through the two hours are as follows:

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Omote,Ura),Nikyo(Omote,Ura,Sankyo(Omote,Ura)and Yonkyo(Omote,Ura. -Sumi Otoshi from both Ai Hanmi Katatedori and Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori respectively.

-Shorter versions of Nikyo and Sankyo from the Ai Hanmi Katatedori stances. -Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Shiho Nage(Omote,Ura).

-Shiho Nage through Tenkan.

-Ryotedori Kote Gaeshi and Irimi Nage.

-Yokomenuchi Sankyo(Omote,Ura).

Despite the heavy downpour just before we began the session,I was heavily drenched in sweat after the two hours...talk of a great body workout!

Friday, April 27, 2012

On teaching Martial Arts

Well... Where to start?

It is difficult.

I spent some time teaching English when I was a student. Most of my pupils were kids of people who had ambitions and plans for their kids, but them students themselves were not really interested. So it was like forcing the proverbial camel to drink the water from oasis. Perhaps not pointless, but a struggle for both of us.

Then I spent some time teaching IN business to professionals all over the world (Morocco, Austria, Jordan, Thailand, Malaysia, Philipines, Czech Republic, Gernamy, Kenya, SA, etc). When the participants were interested then it was fun, challenge and very, very rewarding. But if the students were sent there by their company and they were not so much interested... A struggle again.

Now, teaching martial arts is a totally different animal. Students can be either professionals (think: security guards), passionate enthusiast (think: really intersted and dedicated people) or casual, social guys (think: check this out - I do Aikido)

Surprisingly professionals are not the best and easiest to teach. They come with their baggage of experiences, expectations and so on. Usually they do not have enough time and dedication to actually study. All they seek is a few quick and effective trocks they could potentially apply without committing too much effort. With time, if they step deep enough, they might find something deeper and more interesting in Aikido, and then they would turn into enthusiasts.

All martial artists from other styles fall into this category - as somebody who seeks to enhance their already (perhaps presumed) proficiency in other styles.

With enthusiasts it is easy - really interested and easy to teach - they just want to learn new stuff, test themselves, techniques and their teacher. Very, very creative, rewarding and fun. Challenging (for the teacher), but fun.

Casuals come and go. I remember when still at the Uni and later in Other dōjōs there were so many people coming and going... It got to the point that when somebody I do not know greets me on the street I would think 'must be someone who met me at Aikido'. The turnover was so high I just wasn't able to remember all of them... I remember discussions with my teachers and they would always say 'motivation does not matter, what matters is thet that stay'. If they do stay in dõjõ then they might turn into enthusiast and then it becomes a bliss and joy for the teacher. But if they stay depends (IMHO) on whether actual art (in my case: Aikido) meets their personality and - equally if not more importantly - on the teacher. His skill in art, his skill as a teacher and his personality.

And here we reach the most important part: the teacher.

I believe that today, in the non-oriental countries teacher has very difficult job: he has to make the trainings attractive while not dissolving and flattening the art. I see two trends here.

Some teachers were lucky enough to have traditional teachers themselves. This means their trainig was tough, painful and they survived. They went through hell which shaped them into what they are now. And they make their students go through similar hell. Or even more. This is very admirable approach. But how many of students can, or are willing to go through hell? Enthusiasts, for sure. People whip are already dedicated. But other students will run away from such guy, for today people raised on fastfood and facebook are not willing to suffer pain, bruised, blood, perhaps even injuries.

I know solution to this one: separate beginners from advanced. Casuals and enthusiasts.

So some teachers are trying to make the art more approachable. They flatten the art, give away grades left and right just to attract more and more students. Make it more social, more entertainment than martial.

I am lucky enough to not make any money on teaching Aikido. So I can, at least in principle, not dilute the art and not really care if students turn away. I understand Aikido is very specific and is attractive to people with certain personality. But I still try to make classes attractive, so that students do not get bored. Especially here, in Central Africa. We do not have tatami. So if I spend one hour on just mae-ukemi I know than next class I will have only one or two guys... So I feel I need to find middle way. And this is challenge number one for me.

Challenge number two is this: Is it my job to make my students into fire-breathing martial artists? Or is my job to teach just the art within the system and it is up to the students to take it to the practically applicable level? It is easy if you have a permanenet dōjō, then sooner or later a group of enthusiasts will emerge and they will force their teacher to take them the next level. But if I meet students on irregular basis in different places... I can show the door, but I do not think I have the right to force them through it.

And Aikido would become an art, or rather an ART only after students reach quite high level of profficiency and technique stops being an obstacle and a challenge and becomes a vessel to express their personality... And to get there takes years of struggle uphill in the darkness in pain and rain.

I do not consider myself a fighter. I feel very lucky and priviledged to have met some extraordinary people in my life and I believe I have acquired certain skills or knowledge I feel I am oblidged to share. It is an adventure I can share with people, but where does my respinsibility as a teacher ends and where does it start for students?

Monday, April 23, 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall

What a better way to start the Friday session than Ukemi over two or more Aikidoka lined up which is usually a challenge for me especially since I have a bad tendency of performing Ukemi below instead of ahead....point noted.

After the feat that lasted roughly ten minutes,Sensei took us through the following techniques:

-Tsuki:Ikkyo(Omote,Ura),Nikyo(Omote,Ura),Sankyo(Omote,Ura),Kote Gaeshi and Rokkyo.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Nage.

-Ryotedori Kiri Otoshi.

-Any Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori technique that we could recall and we were grouped in threes with one Tori facing two Uke.

Sensei also spiced up the session by introducing an exercise whereby Uke would approach Tori from either the left or right side and the aim of this exercise was to enable Tori blend into Uke's attack as much as possible.

Great session to crown the week!!!

NEXT SESSION:MONDAY, APRIL 23 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA. -

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

No Class today

I intended to be early for class today and was already at Goan at 1530hrs.
There were some people setting up for an event and I assumed we'll be having the session
at the squash courts.
I was heading there when I was referred to one Joseph,the caretaker/manager,am nt sure.
He informed me that there's no class today and that he had already told those who attended the Monday class.
I called Daniel to ask why he hadn't spread the word and he din't know.
I hope everyone gets the comunication on time,there's no class today,see you on Fri.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Monday, April 16, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

It is always feels great to kick start the week with Aikido and this Monday was no different.

Daniel Sempai took us through the paces during the two hours which were dominated by Sankyu techniques.

It all began with warming up then Mae Ukemi(Suwari Waza) and Ushiro Ukemi(Tachi Waza)followed by the following techniques:

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori and Ai Hanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Koshi Nage.

-Koshi Nage through Ikkyo Omote.

-Hanmi Handachi:Shiho Nage and kaiten Nage respectively.

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Yonkyo(Omote),Nikyo(Omote and Ura) and Juji Nage respectively.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Uchi Kaiten Nage and Soto Kaiten Nage.

-Yokomen Uchi:Sankyo(Omote and Ura) and Tenchi Nage respectively.

The management informed me that there shall be a seminar/congress/gathering at the Goan Gymkhana tomorrow(Wednesday April,18) so I guess we shall be using the squash court or unless informed otherwise.....see you then!!!

-

Monday, April 16, 2012

Friday, April 13, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Cultural Centre hall

After the easter weekend I was back in full swing and the two hour session as always was more than thrilling!

After going through Mae Ukemi in both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza,Sensei took us through the following techniques:-

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kote Gaeshi.

-Ryotedori Kote Gaeshi(Omote,Ura plus another Ura version).

-Ryotedori Irimi nage.

-Ryotedori Kiri Otoshi.

-Ryotedori Kokyu Ho.

-Koshi Nage through Sankyo Omote.

-Koshi Nage through Ikkyo Omote.

When it comes to Koshi Nage,most of the time I place Uke too high which basically means I have to lift Uke with my back!!!
I have only one thing to say:'Practise and lots of it!'



NEXT SESSION:MONDAY,APRIL 16 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Sweaty

Sweat characterised the class yesterday, there were drops of it sparkling all over the floor.
It was an intense class(see Dan's post) and maybe this is what made the time to fly.

Am glad to note that I still remember quite a bit of Sancho 1&2and like Daniel wondering when it'll become automatic;how many hours of practice exactly are needed in order to stop pausing trying to figure out the next move.

About the Iaido session,I will say 'sisemi kitu'
Great class.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

After Easter break; 2012年4月11日

Conditioning
Gyakuhanmi katatedori – tenchinage(one-handed) ; movement is like nukitsuke and uke’s weak point (triangle) should be taken into account. It is easy to get carried away and either move sideways, or in uke’s firm position.

The aihanmi game, both with holding hands and just by keeping contact alone with eyes closed. Again, all basics apply. There are several ways of winning. One is to counter with iriminage, hence hands go forwards towards opponent’s face. Two is the normal way, i.e. towards the weak point. Three is a kind of counter attack where as opponent pushes forward, you reverse your hands and keep pushing them in the very same direction they are pushing. Four is tricky because it requires you to pull opponent towards you and down behind you. But this will not work on skilled opponents.

Gyakuhanmi katatedori – tenchinage(one-handed) with tainotenkanho opening ; again basics apply. After opening with normal tai no tenkan ho, you need to step back and bring uke down on their weak (triangle) point. Again it is easy to get carried away and take uke too far from their weak point.

Techniques
Gyakuhanmi katatedori sotokaitennage (with tainotenkanho opening) - Opening is with tai no tenkan ho. Tricky bit is what to do after this. There are 2 things depending on uke’s commitment to attack. If it is a commited one, uke will keep contact as you control elbow and do the kaiten movement. However, if it is a lazy attack, it is necessary to grab uke’s keikogi at the elbow and force them to do the kaiten movement.

Hanmihandachi katatedori sotokaitennage – movement is exactly same as above. If you manage to bring uke down with the tai no tenkan ho movement, it becomes easy because you can stand before them as you execute the kaiten. However, if uke remains up even after opening, then its necessary to grab keikogi at elbow and force them into the kaiten.

Aihanmi katatedori nikyo ura (with ushiro tenkan opening) – since this is ura technique, a second tenkan is necessary after the first one. The trailing leg hence moves twice in the same direction, pivoting on the front leg.

Hanmihandachi katatedori uchikaitennage – open uke by raising grabbed hand using the wrist movement. With atemi as distraction, move with kaiten into the opening created, so that you end up standing while doing the kaiten, then proceed as usual.

Extras
As an exercise, tori initiates aihanmi attack in form of a hand strike towards uke’s eyes. As uke instinctively moves hand up to cover face, tori grabs said hand and does an ikyo ura movement. There are many tricky bits in this, one of them being the ability to blend into uke’s movement and grab their hand at the same time as they move it up. Next is the ura movement. Without proper tenkan it is impossible. Also there is the natural tendency to forget your center and pull, rather than lead, uke. Hence with experienced uke, this exercise will be quite a daunting task.

Another exercise was how to execute sankyo from aihanmi ura attack, using an ushirotenkan opening. I really don’t know how to explain this one, but I remember one caution. After the opening, uke can strike tori with elbow if the former stays in place. Hence even with the complicated hand change taking place, tori should keep moving all the time.

Jo session
Conditioning
We had warm-up, followed by the jo kata (my words) that involves all the jo basic movements. It goes something like; tsuki, barai, tsuki, migi kesa, hidari kesa, migi shomen uchi, tenkan, makiotoshi, finishing with some sort of kaiten movement to grab jo in readiness for another round.
Sansho1
Then we had a review of sansho 1. After such a short period of time without practicing, it was a pathetic attempt from me, but somehow we managed to remember just the form, even if the whole thing is still very sloppy. I wonder how many hours of practice are needed to drum this kata into the head…

Iaido session.
Basics for nukitsuke and noto were once again explained. Then there followed a practical application of this with different feet movements, namely, right leg forward, left leg forward, left leg backward and right leg backward. Shomen uchi was added to this sequence, and it made sense when executed in pairs.
Then we went through Shindo Munen Ryu.
Caution
With shomen uchi, you want to execute it as fast as possible. This is because when hands are raised in readiness for the strike, you are open. Granted no one in their right mind will move under your weapon, you are still open. Ok, maybe my explanation is not convincing, but logically it makes sense, right?

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Reminders

Mateusz sensei was kind enough to point out a few mistakes that we unknowingly make during class. Even without a formal dojo, etiquette is essential, and especially given that Japanese have an eye for detail. It is only proper that if we are embracing their art, we should do it properly.
Students should assemble and be sitted on the mats, in seiza, well before practise time. It is rude for the teacher to be the one to wait.
It was also explained that the reason we bow to weapons (particularly iaito and sword) is as a sign of respect to a tool that is supposed to help us become better people. An outsider will easily mistake it for a worship of weapons, but this is not the case.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

FIRST HOUR:AIKIDO WITH MATEUSZ SENSEI

The first hour was a 3 Kyu affair and all the techniques on display were all from the 3 Kyu exam requirements:

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori and Gyakuhanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi.

-Shomen Uchi:Uchi Kaiten Nage and Soto Kaiten Nage.

-Kata Dori Kote Gaeshi.

-Ushiro Ryo Kata Dori Kokyu Nage.

-Yokomen Uchi Juji Nage.

SECOND HOUR:WEAPONS(BOKKEN)WITH MATEUSZ SENSEI

After doing fourty Shomens in Kibadachi,we embarked on a series of moves(not familiar with the terms)not forgetting the eight directions Bokken cut-Happo Giri.

THIRD HOUR:BATTO-HO WITH MATEUSZ SENSEI

It was Hakama time and Sensei reviewed the twelve moves in Shindo Munen Ryu and left Jason,Hussein and I to try it out while he and Daniel Sempai reviewed moves from Muso Shinden Ryu.....

Happy Easter to all Nairobi Aikikai members and hope to see you on April 11 for another breathtaking three hour session.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Easter break

Classes on Friday, April 6th and Monday, April 9th are cancelled. Classes will resume according to normal schedule on Wednesday, April 11th.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Monday, April 2, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

At last I managed to see Eri Dori in action which is not a very common technique especially during seminars as Sensei explained.

After MIA for a while,Hussein appeared for the day's session and all I can say is welcome back!

Sensei took us through an array of techniques and among those that featured during the two hours were:

-Kokyu Ho from both Gyaku Hanmi and Ai Hanmi Katatedori stances.

-Variations of Kokyu Nage techniques.

-Eri Dori Kokyu Ho.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi.

-Ryote dori Kokyu Ho.

One important thing I learnt yesterday thanks to Sensei is that when executing Sumi Otoshi especially from the Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori stance,it is imperative for Tori to grab Uke's arm as he brings Uke down with the elbow as Tori cannot always assume that Uke will keep holding on to his(Tori's) arm as Tori goes for his elbow....Good stuff!

NEXT SESSION:WEDNESDAY,APRIL 4 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall

The two hour session began with warm up exercises followed by Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from Suwari Waza and the "knee torturing" Mae and Ushiro Shikko which this time had nothing on my knees!

Sensei had earlier sent his apologies as he was unwell and thus Daniel Sempai was in charge of the two hour session and it was all about:

-Ryote tori Tench Nage.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Omote) and Kokyu Nage.

-Kata dori Ikkyo(Omote)from both Tachi Waza and Suwari Waza.

-Shomen Uchi Ikkyo(Omote) from both Tachi Waza and Suwari Waza.

-Two versions of Kokyu Nage one of which is among my favourites involves locking Uke's elbow and turning the hips 180 degrees forcing Uke to perform an Ukemi or risk having his elbow broken.

-A version of an arm lock which eventually traps Uke's elbow on Tori's chest and the forearm is locked with Tori's arm.

Haishin Undo closed the two hour session and I look forward to more intense sessions ahead....

NEXT SESSION:MONDAY,APRIL 2 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA.