Sensei Andi special session May 2019

“We need to remember that the primary goal of Aikido is harmony and good relations between people. If we don't cultivate a harmonious heart along with technical skill, there will be a lack of integration in our practice, which will show up in behavior off the mat.”
― Linda Holiday, Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei 

 

  

On the 7^th-9^th of May 2019, Nairobi Aikikai once again had the pleasure of having our Sensei, Andi Sensei in Nairobi for three days of learning, flying and throwing.

It is always and honour to learn and this session was no different. Sensei guided the Aikidokas of Nairobi through exploring various aspects of the art including stressing the importance of structure, balance, mastering taisabaki, combining approaches and techniques.

Sensei also made sure to teach on techniques at different levels of the various programs. 1^st Dan techniques, 2^nd Kyu,3^rd Kyu and 4^th Kyu techniques formed the bulk of the program for the three days.

 

The tatami indeed was smoking and the dedicated Aikidokas of Nairobi Aikikai left nothing to chance. It was all sweat and more sweat.  Some of the techniques covered included;

Day 1 (7th May)

•   Katatori menuchi ikkyo/kotegaeshi/tenchinage.
•   Aiki otoshi omote/ura
• Ryote dori shihogiri/shihonage

Day 2 (8^th May)

• Ryote dori ikkyo/shihonage into kotegaeshi (Henka waza)
• Shihogiri and shihonage from ryote dori (maeshi irimi tankan entry)
•   Kokkyunage from ushiro ryotedori

Sensei also spent the last minutes of the session exloring aspects of varied entries from yokomenuchi attack eg Yokomenuchi ikkyo (ushiroashi irimi tankan entry, mae ashi irimi entry), Yokomenuchi kotegaeshi (ushiro tankan vs mae ashi irimi entries)

Day 3 (9^th May 2019)

Sensei emphasized on the importance of proper open hand technique using bokken cutting techniques as a template for movement.  The session also explored interesting exercises and thereafter techniques from aihanmi entry, circular cut ikkyo and horizontal cut ikkyo.

This session also explored varied combinations of techniques from Ushiro ryote dori such as

•   Ushiro ryote dori ikkyo/nikko/sankyo/kotegaeshi.
• Ushiro ryote dori ikkyo-nikkyo-sankyo-kotegaeshi (progression)

As an add-on Sensei explored questions around making a tenkan effective by always connecting tori’s centre to the point of contact and how to effect shihonage from various positions including lowering tori’s body in the case of a reluctant uke.

We are immensely grateful  to Sensei for taking the time to come and train with us but the action is not over yet. If you missed, then you missed out but prepare for June Seminar (22^nd-23^rd  June, JICC) and September seminar, (14^th-15^th Sep, Zurich)

  Budo!