Wednesday, May 30, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

It was all about an Ura attack during the first hour and mostly dedicated to Shiho Nage.

Sensei stressed the importance of being close to Uke and the speed of executing the Shiho Nage technique which is a very dynamic technique especially when done on tatami.

FIRST HOUR-AIKIDO

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori and Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Shiho Nage Omote and Ura both static and non-static.

-Shomen Uchi Shiho Nage(Omote,Ura).

-Yokomen Uchi Shiho Nage (Omote,Ura).

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Nikyo Ura(different version).

I have realised that each time Sensei goes through a technique I pick up on something that I had not known about and that is what makes me love Aikido sessions where Sensei takes part as Uke as I get to feel a real life attack.

SECOND HOUR-WEAPONS(JO)

During the second hour,Sensei continued on the Jo basics and it was basically from a Tsuki attack and we went through the following:

-Choku Zuki.

-Kaeshi Zuki.

-Harai Zuki.

-Maki Otoshi 1 & 2.

-Kaeshi Uchi Otoshi 1 & 2.

-Maki Uchi Otoshi 1 & 2.

-Kesa Uchi 1,2 & 3.

-Otoshi Zuki 1 & 2.

-Kaiten Uchi Otoshi 1 & 2.

THIRD HOUR

There was no Batto-Ho as we took a vote of whether to do Batto-Ho or go for a drink and Batto-Ho was outnumbered in favour of a drink and thus a drink it was.......

Monday, May 28, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

It was Monday once again and I was looking forward to my first training session of the week and I was not disappointed.Sensei decided to review some of the techniques that gave me a hard time during grading last Friday.

It began with warm up exercises followed by Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza with Sensei introducing a variation of Ushiro Ukemi from Suwari Waza.

The day's attacks and techniques were as follows:

-Ryote dori:Kiri Otoshi and Ude Garami respectively.

-Yokomen Uchi Shiho Nage Ura.

-Shomen Uchi:Irimi Nage and Kokyu Nage respectively.

-Morote dori Kokyu Ho.

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Yonkyo Omote and Rokyo respectively.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Tori does not make any steps),Tenchi Nage and Rokyo respectively.

I take this opportunity to wish Daniel Sempai all the very best as he progresses forward in his career and I really hope to see him back soon.

NEXT SESSION:WEDNESDAY, MAY 30 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA.

Friday, May 25, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Cultural Centre hall

The day that seemed so distant was finally here and I was looking forward to grading for Sankyu but before we get there,we had one hour or so to 'get tired' and this is how it all went down:

-Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza.

-Yokomen Uchi Shiho Nage(Omote and Ura).

The techniques mentioned below were all performed from a Shomen Uchi attack:

-Sumi Otoshi(Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza).

-Irimi Nage.

-Tenchi Nage.

-Kata Gatame.

-Rokyo.

Sensei undertook the grading and it was Brian and I who went first doing our thing before Jason did his thing later on.All in all I gave it my best only that I had trouble controlling Uke which is something I have to work on ASAP as even in a real life attack,if I can't control my attacker then it is game over for me!

Congrats to Jason and Brian and at least now Nairobi Aikikai has an additional Hakama wearer.

May exams

We finally had long overdue exam session. Brian got 5th kyu, Sam got 3rd and Jason got 2nd. That was good job, people, I am happy and proud of you. Please remember its you who worked and earned it. This gives purpose and meaning to my role as a teacher... Congratulations!

Me+Iaido=Love

Yeey,I have a new love in Aikido.Iaido!it has been a slow process,the attraction can no longer be denied.
Am not sure what did it for me-suspect it's the exactness of the execution of moves,there's no room for error and in that the possibility of perfection.Or maybe it was the Muso Shinden Ryu by Sensei and Dan.
Nw am hooked and looking forward to taking things to the next level.

The Jo session was interesting.We practiced Kesa uchi 1&2,Maki otoshi 1&2,Kaete uchi otoshi,Junte uchi otoshi,Uchi otoshi1&2 and Kaiten uchi otoshi 1&2 with our partners.At least these are familiar moves from Sancho 1

Am sure Sammy will want to say a word about the Aikido session,where according to Sensei,pain and darkness reign.And indeed pain reigned(thanks to Dan)

It was a great class.

P.s-wish Sammy and Jason all the best in their exam tomorrow.And we intend to join in your celebrations afterwards.

Monday, May 21, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

With Friday fast approaching,this week will be a tense one for me since next Friday both Jason I shall be grading for Nikyu and Sankyu respectively and I was out to benefit from both this Monday's and next Wednesday's classes.

It all began with Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from Suwari Waza and as usual the venue's surface claimed some 'victims' while performing Ukemi but I guess some of us are getting used to the hard surface....

Some of the techniques and attacks were as follows:

-Ryote dori Nikyo(what some of us refer to as 'double nikyo').

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Nage-the same Kokyu Nage version that Sensei introduced to us last week which gets me confused at times especially the part where Tori 'bumps' into Uke.

-Various versions of Koshi Nage but concentrating mainly on the Ai Hanmi Katatedori version.

-Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage with Sensei demonstrating a different version of it whereby Tori performs Irimi Nage without any steps.

-Yokomen Uchi Shiho Nage Ura.

I am sure I must have left out some information but all in all it was an action packed session and Sensei stressed again the importance of being vigilant and whenever Tori makes a mistake while executing a technique,it is upon Uke to point it out to him so that he can learn and improve on it the next time.

NEXT SESSION:WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA(WEAPONS:JO & IAIDO).

Friday, May 18, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall

Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza were in order after some warm up exercises and then Sensei got the ball rolling with the following attacks and techniques:

-Morote Dori:Juji Nage,Rokyo,Ude Garami and Nikyo Ura respectively.

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Juji Nage.

-Yokomen Uchi:Shiho Nage Ura,Kokyu Ho,Kote Gaeshi and Irimi Nage respectively.

Once again I found myself bending both arms when executing Shiho Nage and this is turning out to be a very bad behaviour and I need to improve on it lest I find myself getting a hard time with Shiho Nage especially with an 'uncoperative' Uke(lol).

To Ho Ka Mi E Mi Ta Me

Interesting link to read. When I was in San Diego we used to chant this while performing shomens... For one hour. I guess more of mental exercises than physical, though there were people bleeding from their hands holding the swords...

Monday, May 14, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

Sensei was back in full swing and I had a gut feeling this was going to be a thrilling session and I was not wrong.

Mae Ukemi from Suwari Waza kicked off the two hour session before we embarked on the following techniques and attacks:

-Various versions of Gyaku Hanmi Katatedoti Kokyu Nage.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Shiho Nage(Ura).

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Uchi Kaiten Sankyo.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Irimi Nage(a shorter and quicker version).

-Two versions of front chokes that are executed from a Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori stance.

-Yokomen Uchi Kokyu Ho.

This Monday was all about techniques and attacks from a Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori stance and I must admit the sessions are getting faster and more challenging and that means only one thing:I need to step up a notch higher.

NEXT SESSION:WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA.

Friday, May 11, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall

Fridays are usually very ineteresting and one of the main reasons I believe this is so is due to the fact that it is the only session of the week that we get to train on a surface that I could brand 'semi-tatami'.

It all began with Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza but what stood out for me was when Daniel Sempai took it further by perfoming Ukemi over four colleagues crouching....I must say that will take me a while before I can gain such confidence.

Apart from Ukemi,some of the techniques and attacks we went throught were:

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Ikkyo(Omote and Ura).

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

-Shomen Uchi Nikyo(Ura).

-Shomen Uchi Kokyu Ho.

The two hour session ended with the familiar back stretch Haishin Undo and it was good to see Naoki back after quite a while.

Monday, May 7, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

I always look forward to practising Aikido with Sensei since Sensei will never 'sugar coat' any mistakes that I perform and this usually keeps me on my toes and this Monday was one of my favourite sessions since for the first hour and a half or so it was just Sensei and I and boy was I in for a high paced session!

We began by performing some Ukemi(Mae and Ushiro)from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza before we embarked on the techniques of the day.

Sensei explained to me a lot of things concerning Aikido and I always appreciate the fact that we are learning Aikido whose lineage comes straight from the source.

The techniques and attacks that were featured include:

-Ryotedori Kokyu Ho.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Ho.

-Shomen Uchi:Yonkyo(Omote,Ura),Irimi Nage(Omote,Ura),Kote Gaeshi(Omote,Ura),Soto Kaiten and Uchi Kaiten nage.

-Ryotedori Kokyu Nage which was a new version and it was quite confusing for me at first but I guess with more practice I shall be able to decipher it more and more.

One of the points Sensei clarified during a Shomen Uchi attack especially when Tori intends to execute Kote Gaeshi is that it is always safer to step back as opposed to stepping sideways as I am accustomed to doing since Tori quite never knows whether Uke will attack using Shomen Uchi or Yokomen Uchi until the point where the attack is executed and thus if I were to step to the side and Uke comes with a Yokomen Uchi attack,then it will be game over for me.

Great class Sensei!

NEXT SESSION:WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA.

Friday, May 4, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall

Like is customary with most Fridays,Mae and Ushiro Ukemi in both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza set the ball rolling and all was well until Sensei mentioned the word 'Gyaku Ukemi' and it was interesting to note how each one of us was struggling in their own way trying to figure out how to perform Gyaku Ukemi and for me the main challenge was turning my head away from the hand that was forward.


The techniques that featured during the two hour sweaty session were:

-Ryotedori Kiri Otoshi.

-Shomen Uchi Sumi Otoshi.

-Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage(three versions).

-Yokomen Uchi Shiho Nage(Omote and Ura) and any other technique we could execute from this attack.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Tenchi Nage.

-A version of a throw from a Shomen Uchi attack whereby Tori would intercept the Shomen before it came down then grab Uke's arm and distabilise him before throwing him down with a throw.

Shomen Uchi is usually quite a challenge for me especially the sliding movement and controlling Uke's elbow.

My Why

Sadly,I will be missing Aikido for the third week in a row.Between classes,work,travel and the rain I have had to ferry my Gi back and forth without using it.
And now I understand why Sensei insisted I get one-it makes one feel they belong.

After reading Sensei's post on teaching,I tried to place myself and I think am a cross between the enthusiast and one  'raised on fastfood and facebook are not willing to suffer pain, bruised, blood, perhaps even injuries '

My friends(which also makes me wonder if am of the social students mentioned in November's post
'social guys (think: check this out - I do Aikido')always ask me if I can hold my own in a fight.Of course I don't know,I would run  and as Sensei keeps pointing out,the environment in the dojo is controlled,like the way Uke keeps holding onto Tori's hand.So,whether any of us would be able to execute Kyoku ho,Shiho nage in a bar or an alley is debate.

We were discussing Aikido on our way home sometime last year and how the lessons learnt have nothing to do with the moves,the art.And here's some of them:

1)The first time I heard Sensei instructing not to add my energy to a situation was very puzzling to me-always thought you must react and the only way I knew how was to also add my energy.Withholding energy is the greatest thing Aikido has taught me.And practicing this in real life has empowered me so much.And some of my relationships have improved and others have withered away.Thank God

2)There's always a way out-it doesn't matter what grab or hold Uke attacks with(or even 2/3 Uke).It always(most always) ends with him  on the ground begging for mercy,okay,taping but  you get the point.And lately,when things aren't going well or as expected in my life,I know there's a way out.And just like in the class,I usually have to give it a few tries and soon enough,am on my feet ready for the next round.

3)I can't remember who said that the thing one should fear is fear itself.Before Aikido,the greatest fear in my life was pain-physical pain(Yes,I know I have given birth but that's not pain-they din't have a word for it and labour covers it,about 30% of it but I digress.......
And replaying the Aikido classes in times past,I was very vocal in expressing my pain. Nw am unafraid.And together  with that fear of pain,many of my fears have also disappeared;))))))))))))))))

4)I sometimes to drop by the dojo just to bask in the positive energy there.This is usually after a trying day or week and the minute I step inside the dojo,my batteries get recharged-it's like plugging into a power source.
And this is probably why,no matter how sweaty and long the class is,you still come out humming.

5)I really don't know what am capable of-Aikido and otherwise.I do wonder whether I will learn all the names of all the moves, the exact Iaido steps and the shomen techniques.And am giving myself a chance to find out-in Aikido and otherwise.

6)Jason once told me that there's a bond created between people who sweat together.And am sure in this case he meant those in the dojo together.It's true.The Aikido friendships are maskless,which is refreshing  and especially in Nairobi.

Hopefully,I will be in class nxt Wednesday.And hopefully it'll be jo for the weapons class.I am competent in Sancho 1&2