Class Schedule Change

Starting July we will move Monday class at Goan Gymkhana to Tuesday at Japanese Embassy. Tuesday class will start at 1700 till 1900.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

It was 'weapons Wednesday' as I usually like calling it and I usually love the weapons sessions especially Iaido as I get to simulate using a real sword.

FIRST HOUR-AIKIDO

-Kata Dori:Nikyo(Omote & Ura)and Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura)respectively.

-Shomen Uchi:Kote Gaeshi and Irimi Nage(both Omote)respectively.

-A technique whereby Uke is twisted off balance by Tori's forearm while holding Tori(Kata Dori)and Tori can either knock him out with a fist or throw him down.

SECOND HOUR-WEAPONS(BOKKEN)

-After several Bokken exercises,Sensei reviewed Ichi no Tachi.

THIRD HOUR-BATTO-HO

-For the first time this year I was glad I could still recall the first seven forms in Shindo Munen Ryu even after waking up the following morning and I am glad Sensei reviewed the forms once again and I look forward to mastering all the twelve forms.

NEXT SESSION:FRIDAY,JUNE 29 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION AND CULTURE CENTRE 'DOJO'.

Monday, June 25, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

The month of June has featured some of my favourite techniques and this day was no exception.

It all began with Funakogi Undo and then the following attacks and techniques:

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Omote),Nikyo(Omote),Sankyo(Omote),Irimi Nage(Omote)and Kote Gaeshi(Omote) respectively featuring a different opening while in a static stance.

-Katadori menuchi Ikkyo and Nikyo(both in Omote).

-A shorter and quicker version of Ai Hanmi Katatedori Sankyo(Omote).

-Chudan Tsuki:Kote Gaeshi,Sankyo and Irimi Nage(all Omote)respectively.

Daniel Sempai had some time last week requested for an explanation of katadori menuchi and I will try my best to explain the attack:

Let's say Uke grabs Tori's gi with his right hand and attacks with a Shomen using his left hand.Tori performs a Tenkan with his right leg at the same time moving out of line while guiding the Shomen with his left arm then he(Tori)opens Uke while going forward(the same opening for Ai Hanmi Katatedori Ikkyo,Nikyo,etc.)and finishes the technique be it Ikkyo,Nikkyo,etc.

Friday, June 22, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre 'dojo'

The session was packed with a good number of 'Aikido enthusiasts'.Sensei took us straight to the techniques after warming up and among the techniques on offer were:

-Gyaku Hanmi katatedori Kokyu Ho,Irimi Nage,Nikyo(shorter version),rokkyo,Shiho nage(Ura)-two openings and a front choke whose opening was that of Kokyu Ho respectively.

-Gyaku Kote Gaeshi(Omote).

The stance of the day was Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori and once again we practised disarming 'the enemy'brandishing a 'pistol' using the rokkyo technique....Superb session!!!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

FIRST HOUR-AIKIDO:

The first hour began with Mae Ukemi from Suwari Waza and after doing some Ukemi we were all set.

We began by a Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori stance which was in preparation for Rote dori Tenchi Nage and first it was leading Uke down by capitalising on his weak spot followed by distabilising Uke by opening him up and going forward with the intention of 'bitch slapping' him(Uke).What followed was:

-Ryote dori Tenchi Nage(Omote,Ura).

-Kokyu Ho Kokyu Dosa using both handS and attempting with one hand too.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi(Omote,Ura).

-A different version of Ryote dori Tenchi Nage whereby Tori,by use of his hips,brings Uke closer to him and then throws him off balance with a forward movement.

SECOND HOUR-WEAPONS(JO):

Sensei went over Jo Sansho One parts one to three and it was a while since I practised Jo Sansho and it was clearly evident as I had to get re-acquainted once again with parts one and two carefullt sticking to one role in order not to get all mixed up...

THIRD HOUR-BATTO-HO:

After warming up with some Shomen while in kibadachi,Sensei went over once again all the twelve moves from Shindo Munen Ryu (Tachi).I got mixed up with the feet movement especially from the eighth one(Doto Gaeshi)to the twelfth one(Inazuma Gaeshi)but I guess it all comes down to regular practise...

NEXT SESSION:FRIDAY,JUNE 22 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION AND CULTURE CENTRE MULTI PURPOSE HALL.

Monday, June 18, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

It was a new week and it began with a new face showing up for the Monday session in the name of Kevin.

The session was an action packed one and the technique that 'stole the show' for me was when we simulated a scene whereby Tori was confronted with a pistol by Uke and the former disarming the pistol from the latter using Rokkyo.

Apart from that,we also went through the following attacks/techniques:

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Shiho Nage(Omote,Ura) with the Omote version featuring two versions the other version being almost similar to Hanmi Handachi Shiho Nage only that it was in Tachi Waza.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Sankyo(Omote,Ura).

-Katadori menuchi Sankyo(Omote).

-Sankyo Ura through Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Ikkyo Omote.

-A shorter version of Ai Hanmi Katatedori Sankyo Omote.

-Hanmi Handachi Shiho Nage.

-Kata Gatame through Ikkyo Omote.

NEXT SESSION:WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA(WEAPONS:JO & BATTO-HO)

Friday, June 15, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre 'dojo'

There were a good number of new faces that showed up and it was good to know that word about Aikido is spreading round quite fast.

Sensei took us through Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza and I still have the same old habit of bending the arm while rolling over it and frankly it has reached the point where it is no longer amusing.

The following were the techniques that we covered:

-Kata Dori Ikkyo(Omote,Ura) and Nikyo Ura respectively.

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Kote Gaeshi and Reverse Kote Gaeshi respectively.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Rokkyo.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Ho.

-Any other technique or attack we could recall from a Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori stance.

Jason's Class

Sensei Piotr,Mateusz and Daniel have a common worry-the future of Nairobi Aikikai.
We have also speculated amongst ourselves what would happen if Sensei Mateusz left the country.
Well,if this Wednesday's class is anything to go by,fear not.

Jason was in charge and we went through Ikyo,Nikyo,Sankio.Rokyo and Gokyo in omote and ura.
It was obvious Jason has more experience dealing with children and his teaching method was effective and different.
It was a good change.

Sammy,Tony and I  enjoyed.

In other news,welcome back Tony(you still owe us a crate of beer)

Monday, June 11, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

It was refreshing to see David back again after his maiden appearance last Monday and hopefully we shall be seeing more of him in the sessions to come.

This Monday was all about an Ai Hanmi Katatedori stance and after several Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari and Tachi Waza Sensei took us through the following:

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Irimi Nage;apart from the usual one we usually do,Sensei took us through two other versions-Tori bringing Uke close to him and doing Irimi Nage without any steps and the other one through Gedan Barai and Tori goes forward without turning the hips.

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Kote Gaeshi(Omote and Ura).

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Uchi Kaiten Nage(Omote and Ura).

With the addition of a Tanto,it became more realistic as Tori tried all his level best to maintain contact and not let Uke 'stab' him with the knife....I guess it is always essential to train keeping in mind that in a real life situation,this is probably what would go down as Sensei always stresses the importance of taking all the training sessions as if they were real life attack situations...

NEXT SESSION:WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 AT THE GOAN GYMKHANA(WEAPONS-JO & BATTO-HO)

Friday, June 8, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall

We had two newcomers to Aikido last Friday who had a lot of questions to ask Sensei about Aikido and we might or might not see them appear for another session but all in all the session was as thrilling as always....

After Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza,what followed was:

-Kiri Otoshi through the opening for Ai Hanmi Katatedori Irimi Nage.

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Irimi Nage Omote.

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Kata Gatame through Ikkyo Omote.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Ho and Kote Gaeshi(Gyaku Kote Gaeshi) respectively.

-A different version of Shomen Uchi Kokyu Ho whereby Tori locks Uke's elbow after a Shomen Uchi attack and thereafter throws him off balance with Kokyu Ho.

During the last quarter of an hour or so,Sensei grouped us and with one Tori and different Uke attacking at a time,each one of us performed any Ai Hanmi Katatedori technique we could recall....

Wednesday, June 6, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

It was 'weapons Wednesday' once again and I was upbeat about the three hour session and true to my prediction,the session was 'off the sheezee'.

The session was dominated by both Uchi Kaiten and Soto Kaiten and this is what we went through with Sensei's guidance:

FIRST HOUR-AIKIDO

-A version of Kokyu Nage whereby the opening is for Uchi Kaiten then Tori goes below Uke and pins him down applying a choke with his(Uke's) gi while controlling the elbow on his knee.

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

-Soto Kaiten Kata Gatame.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Ho and Kokyu Nage respectively.

SECOND HOUR-WEAPONS(BOKKEN)

-Sensei reviewed Ichi no Tachi and Ni no Tachi.

THIRD HOUR-BATTO-HO

After doing some shomen while chanting 'To Ho Ka Mi E Mi Ta Me',Sensei reviewed all the twelve moves in Shindo Munen Ryu and all I could recall were the first four and I realised that it takes years of practise to master these movements but I am glad Sensei is there to guide us through...

Monday, June 4, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana

Since we had two newcomers in the Monday class who happen to be Tae Kwo Ndo instructors,Sensei kept the two hour session as basic as possible and we went through the below mentioned techniques after doing Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from Suwari Waza:

-Ai Hanmi Katatedori and Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kote Gaeshi.

-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Nage(the version whereby Tori goes down on his knees perpendicular to Uke and stretches him(Uke) off balance).

-Ryote dori Kiriotoshi.

-Ryote dori Tenchi Nage Omote(Ura for Jason and myself).

It was a great session and I was surprised to learn that not all martial artists are able to roll or fall safely as was evident from the two black belt Tae Kwo Ndo instructors who looked like novices when it came to doing Ukemi. I always assumed every martial artist is capable of doing so....phew thank God for Aikido!

Monday class

Daniel Sempai posted an article on the Nairobi Aikikai facebook page about punctuality-students should always plan to arrive at the dojo before the Sensei who should find you ready and waiting.This is a sign of respect.
I would like to add another reason-interesting discussions.We are lucky that Sensei Mateusz is an approachable fellow  and we engaged him for about 15 minutes before the class.The topics ranged from Ki Aikido to the future of Aikido,Steven Seagal,Chiba Sensei,Ueshiba Sensei and a host of Aikido figures,Birankai.I have to say my Aikido mind was well fed by the time class started.

It has been a while since I  went through the basics and the best part was knowing  the moves-the foot,hand and body work  are no longer rocket science.
We had two beginners and the ego was happy to be now in the know.

It was a fun class.