When walking from Upper Hill to the City Centre on Tue after class,we were discussing on the applicability of Aikido techniques in real life.
The general consensus was that it would be a bit tough,and one would probably resort to instinct and this was put to the test for me yesterday.
I was almost carjacked last night and I ran from the thugs,didn't even have to think about it.What am thankful to Aikido for is the lack of hopelessness.I have been robbed before and I stuggled with that feeling of hopelessness for weeks.
Yesterday I recognized the danger,felt the fear but it didn't crush me,somewhere in my system I have come to accept that dangerous situations lurk all around me but I don't have to surrender to the fear such situations evoke.Simulating attacks for the last two years is mostly responsible for that.
The Aikido hour on Wednesday proved to us we have a lot to learn,especially continuity,the habit of breaking a move in two/three/four phases seems to be more ingrained in us than we thought.And as Sammy remarked,Ura was especially challenging.Still,we will work on it.
Jo was easier,though I seem to be stuck in the Tori role.It felt good to be able do Sancho 1 part i&ii flawlessly(almost).
Another challenge is the fact that unlike Bokken,Jo should be done using both hands.Am struggling with the left.
Douglas and Naoki were present in the Tuesday class,we hope to be seeing them more often.
Enjoy your weekend guys,be safe.
P.s-you never told me what title we should use for Jason and Sammy.And Naoki ,hopefully,should he accept Sammy's offer to teach the Tuesday class.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana
The advanced session on Wednesdays is usually fast paced and challenging and this one was no exception.
FIRST ONE AND A HALF HOURS-AIKIDO:
Jason Sempai engaged us in the following attacks & techniques:
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Uchi Kaiten and Soto Kaiten Nage respectively.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Ura)and Kote Gaeshi(Ura)respectively.
-Yokomen Uchi:Irimi Nage(Ura)and Kokyu Ho.
Ura techniques are usually very challenging for me but yesterday's session proved to me that I am making some progress though not much and it is my hope that with time I shall execute any Ura attack with much ease.
WEAPONS-JO
It was basically a review of Jo Sansho One parts I and II and boy did I forget the second part and had to remind myself one more time.
NEXT SESSION:FRIDAY,JULY 27 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION & CULTURE CENTRE.
FIRST ONE AND A HALF HOURS-AIKIDO:
Jason Sempai engaged us in the following attacks & techniques:
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Uchi Kaiten and Soto Kaiten Nage respectively.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Ura)and Kote Gaeshi(Ura)respectively.
-Yokomen Uchi:Irimi Nage(Ura)and Kokyu Ho.
Ura techniques are usually very challenging for me but yesterday's session proved to me that I am making some progress though not much and it is my hope that with time I shall execute any Ura attack with much ease.
WEAPONS-JO
It was basically a review of Jo Sansho One parts I and II and boy did I forget the second part and had to remind myself one more time.
NEXT SESSION:FRIDAY,JULY 27 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION & CULTURE CENTRE.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 session at the Japan Information & Culture Centre 'dojo B'
It was the beginning of a new week in Aikido and once again it was time to step up and ensure that we keep the Nairobi Aikikai flame burning.
Naoki was present after quite a while MIA and we went through the following:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Omote)and Kote Gaeshi(Omote) respectively.
-Reverse/Gyaku Kote Gaeshi.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Rokkyo and Sumi Otoshi respectively.
-Kokyu Ho Kokyu Dosa.
-Tai No Tenkan Ho.
The class ended with a good back stretch(Haishin Undo)and there was a new face among us only hoping that his first Aikido session was a memorable one.
Naoki was present after quite a while MIA and we went through the following:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Omote)and Kote Gaeshi(Omote) respectively.
-Reverse/Gyaku Kote Gaeshi.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori:Rokkyo and Sumi Otoshi respectively.
-Kokyu Ho Kokyu Dosa.
-Tai No Tenkan Ho.
The class ended with a good back stretch(Haishin Undo)and there was a new face among us only hoping that his first Aikido session was a memorable one.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
“The problem with Nikyo and Kote Gaeshi” by Phil Davison
http://blog.aikidojournal.com/2012/07/08/the-problem-with-nikyo-and-kote-gaeshi-by-phil-davison/
There is one other article I came across on the Aikido Journal blog earlier this month which I thought is worth reading through.Kindly copy and paste the above link to your browser.
There is one other article I came across on the Aikido Journal blog earlier this month which I thought is worth reading through.Kindly copy and paste the above link to your browser.
“Realizing Aikido’s Potential,” by Stanley Pranin
http://blog.aikidojournal.com/2012/07/20/realizing-aikidos-potential-by-stanley-pranin/#more-20896
There is a very interesting article about Aikido I came across on the Aikido Journal blog.Kindly copy and paste the link above to access the article.
There is a very interesting article about Aikido I came across on the Aikido Journal blog.Kindly copy and paste the link above to access the article.
Friday, July 20, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre multipurpose Hall
This particular Friday we had an additional new faces one of them being a medical student at the University of Nairobi who was introduced to Aikido by Douglas Kohai.
I began with some warm up exercises for the first ten minutes or so before Jason Sempai took over the rest of the session.
Here is what we went through during the two hour session:
-Mae and Ushiro Ukemi(Suwari Waza & Tachi Waza).
-Hanmi Handachi Shiho Nage.
-Tai no Tenkan Ho followed by Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Shiho Nage(Ura).
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Omote),Nikyo(Omote & Ura)and two shorter versions of Nikyo respectively.
NEXT SESSION:TUESDAY,JULY 24 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION & CULTURE CENTRE 'DOJO B'.
I began with some warm up exercises for the first ten minutes or so before Jason Sempai took over the rest of the session.
Here is what we went through during the two hour session:
-Mae and Ushiro Ukemi(Suwari Waza & Tachi Waza).
-Hanmi Handachi Shiho Nage.
-Tai no Tenkan Ho followed by Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Shiho Nage(Ura).
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Omote),Nikyo(Omote & Ura)and two shorter versions of Nikyo respectively.
NEXT SESSION:TUESDAY,JULY 24 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION & CULTURE CENTRE 'DOJO B'.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana
Jason Sempai was in the 'dojo' ready to take us through the advanced session and we decided to dedicate one and a half hours to practising Aikido and the remaining one hour or so to weapons.
FIRST ONE AND A HALF HOURS-AIKIDO:
The stances for the day were Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori and Kata Dori respectively thus the below mentioned techniques were all from the above mentioned stances:
-Ikkyo(Omote & Ura).
-Kata Gatame through Ikkyo Omote.
-Yonkyo(Ura).
-Sankyo(Ura).
WEAPONS:BOKKEN
We reviewed the eight Bokken Kata and I managed to get some notes on the eight Bokken Kata and thus we were able to go over the last kata that had eluded us last week.
We were unable to do Jo as we had about half an hour remaining and decided to call it a day.
NEXT SESSION:FRIDAY,JULY 20 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION & CULTURE CENTRE HALL.
FIRST ONE AND A HALF HOURS-AIKIDO:
The stances for the day were Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori and Kata Dori respectively thus the below mentioned techniques were all from the above mentioned stances:
-Ikkyo(Omote & Ura).
-Kata Gatame through Ikkyo Omote.
-Yonkyo(Ura).
-Sankyo(Ura).
WEAPONS:BOKKEN
We reviewed the eight Bokken Kata and I managed to get some notes on the eight Bokken Kata and thus we were able to go over the last kata that had eluded us last week.
We were unable to do Jo as we had about half an hour remaining and decided to call it a day.
NEXT SESSION:FRIDAY,JULY 20 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION & CULTURE CENTRE HALL.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall 'dojo B'
This was one interesting session as in our midst was a lady who mistakenly ended up practising Aikido but her main intention was to attend the Goju Ryu Karate session.She explained to me later after the Aikido session that she began Goju Ryu Karate lessons some months back but had to abandon the sessions as she had other matters to attend to but on coming back,she ended up attending Tuesday's Aikido session unknowingly! She wondered whether karate had suddenly become less 'violent' and more flowing!
Concerning the techniques of the day,I took my colleagues through:
-Mae Ukemi(Suwari Waza).
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Ura),Nikyo(Omote),Kote Gaeshi(Omote)and a shorter version of Nikyo(Omote)respectively.
-Ryote dori Tenchi Nage.
-Reverse Kote Gaeshi.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi,Kokyu Nage and a shorter version of Nikyo(Omote)respectively.
Concerning the techniques of the day,I took my colleagues through:
-Mae Ukemi(Suwari Waza).
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Ura),Nikyo(Omote),Kote Gaeshi(Omote)and a shorter version of Nikyo(Omote)respectively.
-Ryote dori Tenchi Nage.
-Reverse Kote Gaeshi.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi,Kokyu Nage and a shorter version of Nikyo(Omote)respectively.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre hall
Jason Sempai was all set and ready to take us through the two hour session and for sure he did not disappoint.
After taking us through a session of warm up exercises and Ukemi(Mae& Ushiro)from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza,the below mentioned attacks and techniques were on offer:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Omote,Ura),Ikkyo(Omote,Ura-for advanced students)and any other technique we could think of from the same stance.
-Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage.
-Yokomen Uchi Irimi Nage.
I discovered that doing Ukemi is not as simple as it looks and for sure most of us especially the new faces including the senior citizen with a green belt in Goju Ryu Karate had a difficult time rolling but I guess it all comes with constant practise and following directions from the instructor to the latter.
The last five minutes or so we went through some vigorous exercises which left most of us out of breath though I must conclude that the session was a good one.
After taking us through a session of warm up exercises and Ukemi(Mae& Ushiro)from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza,the below mentioned attacks and techniques were on offer:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Omote,Ura),Ikkyo(Omote,Ura-for advanced students)and any other technique we could think of from the same stance.
-Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage.
-Yokomen Uchi Irimi Nage.
I discovered that doing Ukemi is not as simple as it looks and for sure most of us especially the new faces including the senior citizen with a green belt in Goju Ryu Karate had a difficult time rolling but I guess it all comes with constant practise and following directions from the instructor to the latter.
The last five minutes or so we went through some vigorous exercises which left most of us out of breath though I must conclude that the session was a good one.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana
Jason Sempai took us through the whole three hour session and it being and advanced session,it was fast paced as we tried all our best to blend in with Uke's attack at the same time controlling Uke.
FIRST HOUR-AIKIDO
The main techniques of the first hour were Kote Gaeshi and Shiho Nage:
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kote Gaeshi(Omote & Ura) and Shigo Nage(Ura)respectively.
-Yokomen Uchi Kote Gaeshi(Omote) and Shiho Nage(Ura)respectively.
SECOND HOUR-WEAPONS(BOKKEN)
We reviewed the eight bokken kata though none of us could recall the seventh Kata thus we skipped it and decided to focus on it once we were sure about it.
THIRD HOUR-WEAPONS(JO)
We reviewed Jo Sansho One part one and I was glad to note that I could still recall part one though the finer details still elude me but hopefully with time I shall be able to fine tune my feet movement among other details.
FIRST HOUR-AIKIDO
The main techniques of the first hour were Kote Gaeshi and Shiho Nage:
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kote Gaeshi(Omote & Ura) and Shigo Nage(Ura)respectively.
-Yokomen Uchi Kote Gaeshi(Omote) and Shiho Nage(Ura)respectively.
SECOND HOUR-WEAPONS(BOKKEN)
We reviewed the eight bokken kata though none of us could recall the seventh Kata thus we skipped it and decided to focus on it once we were sure about it.
THIRD HOUR-WEAPONS(JO)
We reviewed Jo Sansho One part one and I was glad to note that I could still recall part one though the finer details still elude me but hopefully with time I shall be able to fine tune my feet movement among other details.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre 'dojo B'
This was my second time to lead an Aikido session and I must say I ran out of techniques to teach but I had to come up with something fast and thus the below mentioned techniques was what we went through during the two hour session after warm up exercises and Ukemi(Mae & Ushiro from Suwari Waza).
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Kote Gaeshi,Ikkyo(both Omote),Nikyo(Ura)and Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura)respectively.
-Reverse Kote Gaeshi.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Ho.
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Kote Gaeshi,Ikkyo(both Omote),Nikyo(Ura)and Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura)respectively.
-Reverse Kote Gaeshi.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Kokyu Ho.
Friday, July 6, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre
It has been about one week since I last contributed something to the blog due to unavoidable circumstances but I have since resolved them and hopefully I will be contributing regularly to the blog.
Last Friday's session was the first full session I had ever taught and it was a huge task for me since I had never done it before and also due to the fact that I am only 15 months old in Aikido thus there are very few techniques that I can effectively teach but I gave it my best shot.
There were two new faces present and they had a tonne of questions about Aikido but I informed them that they would have to wait till Sensei is back for them to get the best responses to their querries.
After doing Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza,the techniques that followed were:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Omote)and Shiho Nage(Ura) respectively.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi(Omote)and a shorter version of Nikyo(Ura).
-Ryote dori Tenchi Nage(Omote).
Last Friday's session was the first full session I had ever taught and it was a huge task for me since I had never done it before and also due to the fact that I am only 15 months old in Aikido thus there are very few techniques that I can effectively teach but I gave it my best shot.
There were two new faces present and they had a tonne of questions about Aikido but I informed them that they would have to wait till Sensei is back for them to get the best responses to their querries.
After doing Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from both Suwari Waza and Tachi Waza,the techniques that followed were:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Irimi Nage(Omote)and Shiho Nage(Ura) respectively.
-Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori Sumi Otoshi(Omote)and a shorter version of Nikyo(Ura).
-Ryote dori Tenchi Nage(Omote).
Sensei Sam
Obviously all teachers have their own style.Sam's style was refreshing,mostly because it was in Swahili.Sensei Mateusz only uses two Swahili words in the dojo;pole pole
We had two new beginners and one old one and we went through Nikyo,Ikyo,Shiho Nage,Kyoku Ho in Omote and Ura.Rokyo turned out to be a bit complicated for the beginners.
One of the things that occurred to me is that now am the one in the know.The beginners were fumbling through the steps and grips bit I wasn't.It also occurred to me that I have been really listening in class-maybe I wasn't following the instructions but I was definitely hearing them and now those tiny details that Sensei Mateusz was insisting on somehow came to mind.
It was a very interesting class and the reason Sam didn't blog about the Fri class is because he was the Sensei then as well.
Well done Sam.
We had two new beginners and one old one and we went through Nikyo,Ikyo,Shiho Nage,Kyoku Ho in Omote and Ura.Rokyo turned out to be a bit complicated for the beginners.
One of the things that occurred to me is that now am the one in the know.The beginners were fumbling through the steps and grips bit I wasn't.It also occurred to me that I have been really listening in class-maybe I wasn't following the instructions but I was definitely hearing them and now those tiny details that Sensei Mateusz was insisting on somehow came to mind.
It was a very interesting class and the reason Sam didn't blog about the Fri class is because he was the Sensei then as well.
Well done Sam.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Aikido Tuesdays
Am very excited about having a class on Tuesdays and now that Sensei Mateusz has gone back to Poland,
it's time Nairobi Aikikai to stand up and be counted.
The last class with Sensei Mateusz was on Wednesday-as Sam has posted,it was 2hrs Aikido,1hr weapons.It was an intense class,with a touch of anxiety.I am looking forward to perfecting Bokken Kata.
We had our standard Aikido farewell drinks.We will miss Sensei and look forward to seeing him in September.
Now that Jason is taking over,will we be referring to him as Sensei ?
it's time Nairobi Aikikai to stand up and be counted.
The last class with Sensei Mateusz was on Wednesday-as Sam has posted,it was 2hrs Aikido,1hr weapons.It was an intense class,with a touch of anxiety.I am looking forward to perfecting Bokken Kata.
We had our standard Aikido farewell drinks.We will miss Sensei and look forward to seeing him in September.
Now that Jason is taking over,will we be referring to him as Sensei ?
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012 session at the Goan Gymkhana
This was a unique Wednesday session unlike the previous ones as it was two hours of Aikido and one hour of weapons and thus there was no Batto-Ho session.
Sensei focused mainly on an Ai Hanmi Katatedori stance stance and the movement was through Tenkan and boy did I have an enormous task performing the Tenkan without unnecessarily moving the front leg.
FIRST & SECOND HOURS-AIKIDO:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori(through Tenkan):Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura),Irimi Nage(Omote),Kiri Otoshi,Kote Gaeshi,Kokyu Ho and Juji Nage respectively.
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Irimi Nage without moving a step.
-Yokomen Uchi(through Tenkan using Tanto):Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura),Kote Gaeshi(Omote),Kokyu Ho and Sankyo(Omote).
LAST HOUR-WEAPONS(BOKKEN):
After doing some Shomen and other exercises using Bokken,Sensei took us through the eight Bokken kata and I was glad since it was quite a while since I went through the eight Kata and I was able to remind myself once again.
What a three hour session it was!
Sensei focused mainly on an Ai Hanmi Katatedori stance stance and the movement was through Tenkan and boy did I have an enormous task performing the Tenkan without unnecessarily moving the front leg.
FIRST & SECOND HOURS-AIKIDO:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori(through Tenkan):Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura),Irimi Nage(Omote),Kiri Otoshi,Kote Gaeshi,Kokyu Ho and Juji Nage respectively.
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori Irimi Nage without moving a step.
-Yokomen Uchi(through Tenkan using Tanto):Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura),Kote Gaeshi(Omote),Kokyu Ho and Sankyo(Omote).
LAST HOUR-WEAPONS(BOKKEN):
After doing some Shomen and other exercises using Bokken,Sensei took us through the eight Bokken kata and I was glad since it was quite a while since I went through the eight Kata and I was able to remind myself once again.
What a three hour session it was!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 session at the Japan Information & Culture Centre 'dojo B'
The first session on a Tuesday at the Japan Information and Culture Centre began with a bang since we had two newcomers to Nairobi Aikikai!
To set the new session off,Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from Suwari Waza were in order followed by the below mentioned attacks and techniques:
-Shomen Uchi:Kote Gaeshi(Omote),Shiho Nage(featuring two Omote and Ura versions respectively)and rokkyo respectively.
-Tsuki:Ikkyo(Omote & Ura)and Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura)respectively.
To make it more lively,Sensei handed us some markers that we used as Tanto when Uke attacked Tori with a Tsuki thrust.
It was a refreshing switch from the 'unforgiving' Goan Gymkhana surface and I look forward to more of these Tuesday sessions.
To set the new session off,Mae and Ushiro Ukemi from Suwari Waza were in order followed by the below mentioned attacks and techniques:
-Shomen Uchi:Kote Gaeshi(Omote),Shiho Nage(featuring two Omote and Ura versions respectively)and rokkyo respectively.
-Tsuki:Ikkyo(Omote & Ura)and Shiho Nage(Omote & Ura)respectively.
To make it more lively,Sensei handed us some markers that we used as Tanto when Uke attacked Tori with a Tsuki thrust.
It was a refreshing switch from the 'unforgiving' Goan Gymkhana surface and I look forward to more of these Tuesday sessions.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012 session at the Japan Information and Culture Centre 'dojo'
This was one special Friday session for me as for the first five minutes or so I led my fellow Aikidoka in warming up as we waited for Sensei to finalise some details with a lady employee of the Japan embassy who was to take some photos as we practised,photos that are to be posted later on the Japan embassy website.
The two hour session was fast paced and below are the attacks and techniques Sensei took us through:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Omote,Ura),Nikyo(Omote,Ura),Sankyo(Omote)and Shiho Nage(Ura)respectively.
-Kata Gatame through Ikkyo(Omote).
-Shomen Uchi Ikkyo(Omote).
-Tsuki:Kote Gaeshi(Omote)and Shiho Nage(Ura)simulating a knife attack to make it more 'real'.
-Shiho Nage(Ura)through Ikkyo(Omote).
-Kote Gaeshi through Shiho nage(Ura).
-Irimi Nage through Kote Gaeshi.
The last three techniques mentioned above all began with Ai Hanmi Katatedori Ikkyo(Omote)and it was a challenge for me to continue with Uke's motion as well as blend into it but I guess it will take years of doing it over and over again to achieve this.....fantastic session!
NEXT SESSION:TUESDAY,JULY 3 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION AND CULTURE CENTRE 'DOJO B'.
The two hour session was fast paced and below are the attacks and techniques Sensei took us through:
-Ai Hanmi Katatedori:Ikkyo(Omote,Ura),Nikyo(Omote,Ura),Sankyo(Omote)and Shiho Nage(Ura)respectively.
-Kata Gatame through Ikkyo(Omote).
-Shomen Uchi Ikkyo(Omote).
-Tsuki:Kote Gaeshi(Omote)and Shiho Nage(Ura)simulating a knife attack to make it more 'real'.
-Shiho Nage(Ura)through Ikkyo(Omote).
-Kote Gaeshi through Shiho nage(Ura).
-Irimi Nage through Kote Gaeshi.
The last three techniques mentioned above all began with Ai Hanmi Katatedori Ikkyo(Omote)and it was a challenge for me to continue with Uke's motion as well as blend into it but I guess it will take years of doing it over and over again to achieve this.....fantastic session!
NEXT SESSION:TUESDAY,JULY 3 AT THE JAPAN INFORMATION AND CULTURE CENTRE 'DOJO B'.
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