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| Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 | 3:35 pm
[lyonesse]
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AIKIDO SEMINAR UPCOMING!!!
Saturday July 11, 2-5PM Littleton Kokikai Aikido, at Flying Squirrel Consortium: Littleton Mill Building at 410 Great Rd, Littleton, Ma cost $20, working scholarships available for financial hardship . Theme: "Harmony and Contact: Grab Attacks" . Ukemi: front and back falls, work on rolling, two attacks (katatori, katatetori: shoulder and wrist grabs) . Ki voice practice (counting, kiai, possibly misogi if there's time) All levels (no experience -> black belt) welcome. To be taught by yours truly, chief instructor, Littleton Kokikai, with my fellow instructors and y'all :) Wear comfy, easy-to-roll-around-in clothes or gi, plan to be barefoot if possible. BRING A WATER BOTTLE OR REFRESHMENT DRINK! RSVP or questions in comments (email to this account @ lj works too :) Current Mood:  excited | | Monday, June 29th, 2009 | 8:51 pm
[lyonesse]
|
martial art vs martial art
so i just had an interesting online interview with somebody who was looking for a woman martial artist to help teach some couple-hour self-defense seminars. their philosophy appears to be "groin kick or grab their face, then run". since i am an aikidoka, not to mention i was wearing crocs all day, i am not too impressed by this, especially the groin-kick aspect. the moai (fighting distance) for a snap kick is pretty close, the groin is not a large target, and it's useless if your attacker is say coming from the side. not to mention that i am not the fastest person in the world, and i'd rather get to a different point then running away from someone i've just pissed off. i do think i have a few practical self-defense skills to share, which might be listed thus: . how not to be afraid or upset during conflict . how to use voice and posture to help de-escalate a situation . how not to get hit by strikes or kicks . how to escape from grabs . how to take down a person who is attacking you, or send them on their way without getting hurt but hey, it's a different curriculum, even if compressed into a few hours. i *am* tempted to try this as an outline for the next seminar, though. discussion solicited.... | | Monday, June 15th, 2009 | 3:13 pm
[bondagewoodelf]
 |
How long are we at it?
I'm trying to do a poll here, but it doesn't appear to be appearing. I might try again.. Poll #1416049 Grades & Trainings
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: AllWhat is your current grade (assuming your style does kyu and dan grades, and starts at 6th kyu, else say 'other' and explain) Other? How long ago have you started training aikido? How many years have you trained aikido since you started? Current Mood:  annoyed | | Sunday, June 14th, 2009 | 7:02 pm
[bondagewoodelf]
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Shodan!
I passed my grading. The go-dan in the committee who isn't my teacher (the other is my teacher) even said he was 'pleasantly surprised'. I am now an officially recognized beginner ;-) Current Mood: accomplished | | Saturday, June 13th, 2009 | 10:39 am
[bondagewoodelf]
|
Grading for shodan tomorrow
Well, this is it! Tomorrow will be attempt #1 for shodan. Sensei (and fellow students) seem pretty confident I'll pass. I'm not so sure myself, but I'll give it my best... Current Mood:  nervous | | Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 | 9:51 pm
[lyonesse]
|
AIKIDO SEMINAR!
Saturday June 13, 2-5PM Littleton Kokikai Aikido, at Flying Squirrel Consortium: Littleton Mill Building at 410 Great Rd, Littleton, Ma cost $20, working scholarships available for financial hardship . Theme: "Five Forms of Harmony" . Ukemi: front and back falls, introduction to rolling, one attack (tsuki; stomach punch) . Techniques: kotegaishi, kokyunage "comi nage", kokyunage "straight through", kaitenage, ikkyo . Ki voice practice (counting, kiai, possibly misogi if there's time) All levels (no experience -> black belt) welcome. To be taught by yours truly, chief instructor, Littleton Kokikai, with my fellow instructors and y'all :) @ear comfy, easy-to-roll-around-in clothes or gi, plan to be barefoot if possible. BRING A WATER BOTTLE OR REFRESHMENT DRINK! RSVP or questions in comments (email to this account @ lj works too :) Current Mood: excited | | Sunday, May 17th, 2009 | 11:15 pm
[andipandi]
 |
Hapmoosaki-do vs. Aikido
Any thoughts? here's my situation, there's a non-profit place i can train in for practically free (scholarship available) but they do not offer what i really want, which is Aikido, instead is the Korean version called Hapmoosaki-do (i think thats the right spelling). My heart is really all about Aikido, but unfortunately i do not have the money to train in a more expensive dojo. So my thoughts are well, i'll train in a Martial art im not thrilled about because its a great opportunity, and i may learn to love it... nd someday when i can afford a Aikido Dojo i will join one then. Does anyone have any thoughts on the two styles, similarities/ differences/general advice? thanks in advance! | 8:52 pm
[saberpirate]
 |
I've been struggling to find balance between being a full time grad student, being an artist (my grad degree is not anything related to art), and practicing Aikido. This past week (starting on Thursday) I was starting to feel like I'd found my balance and my motivation. This morning I woke up and the tendinitis in my right shoulder has flared. I can't put my arm behind me or raise it over my head without pain (it's not as bad as previous flares have been, but it hurts enough) and I'm starting to lose my forward range of motion. I'd been practicing since August with this dojo. I started Aikido 14 years ago, but due to college there have been gaps in my practice, so I've clocked about 11 years total, some of that less than formal. I'm still not quite to half way on my hours for my next test (3rd kyu) and my sensei wants me to test in November. Now I'm going to have to cut way back and hope this flare up doesn't get out of control. The last two times it flared I ended up in a sling for several weeks, and physical therapy the first time. Sorry this is a little bit of a pointless ranting "poor me" post. The people I live with up here just don't understand what not doing Aikido means. I have been iceing and applying heat to my shoulder (it's actually a combination of tendinitis and bursitis), taking Advil, and doing a few very mild stretches that the physical therapist showed me back in 2004 when all of this started. It does seem to be pins (especially yonkyo and iriminage from suariwaza) that aggravate it the most. I just hate having to tell Sensei that I shouldn't/can't do these advanced pins because I'm one of the highest ranking students (it's a small new dojo). I feel like I'm letting him down. Sigh, time for a warm shower. | | Saturday, May 9th, 2009 | 9:27 pm
[damashita]
 |
Oh my... 16 years is a long time...
This week i trained officially for the first time in about 16 years. Someone forgot to tell my mind/spirit that my body is no longer 20-something - oh my. :) i decided to try a dojo near my home. i watched a class on Wednesday night - i liked the interactions and appreciated what i saw. So, my housemate (who has never trained in any martial art before) and i went to a class Thursday afternoon (they offer one free class for new people). It was a small class - Sensei, 2 dans, 1 kyu student, and the 2 of us. We both were treated well and kindly. Then, today, one of the women dans was offering a "girls' day" for members and non-members, so we went back. It was really interesting to be on the mat with only women - girls from age 6 to near 50 - and not a man to be seen. The younger girls talked about how they thought that girls might like a special girls class, at least at an introduction level, to help girls get over the self-esteem and pressure issues a mixed class could create... it was really interesting listening to these young women talk so eloquently about their thoughts. But... it was wonderful. i have bruises from falling poorly (but got great feedback on what i had forgotten in the past decade and a half and by the end was falling nicely again). i have sore muscles for two Aikido classes are much more ... dynamic than my daily 90 minutes of step aerobics. But it was heaven. Now... to come up with the money for mat fees. Unemployment (my husband lost his job in November and hasn't found anything yet - not for lack of trying but 100 resumes a week in this day and age isn't as impressive as it was 5 years ago) makes discretionary funds a bit of a dream. Until then, though, i am going to increase my at-home workouts - so maybe once i do start training again i won't be in this much pain next time. :) Current Mood:  energetic | | Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 | 10:38 pm
[jbarros]
 |
Ukemi question
Hello, I have very recently started Aikido. I have a background in Chinese Kenpo, and about a decade of playing around with other martial artists in various styles. I must admit up front that I like martial arts of all types. I enjoy debate and philosophy. I joined the Infantry. I enjoy the art of conflict and it's resolution. I'm not sure how well these things work with Aikido, but I'm trying to read through O' Sensi's work to learn more. I come with an honest question, but I only know how to phrase it as a set of beliefs or observations. I do not mean this as an attempt to "disprove" Aikido or anything like that, but if someone could help me work out some apparent paradoxes, I would really appreciate it. On to the specific question: I believe it is not in the spirit of Aikido to attempt to hurt your partner. I also believe that an uke who is not throwing an attack designed to hurt their partner is not being honest in their attack, and is cheating their nage of proper training. Furthermore, I believe that someone who has not trained as a fighter, be it in a Dojo, a Studio, or on the street, someone who has not learned to throw an attack with intent to hurt someone, can not realistically throw such an attack. In short, I think that if one trains exclusively to create peace, one can not properly approximate a situation of true war, which is what the peace maker must prepare for. So the simple question becomes, what is "good ukemi"? What intent, mindset, and physical methods are best for your nage? On a more general level, has this observation come up in your studies? If so, how do you deal with it? Am I simply missing something obvious? Thank you very much for your time and your help :) -- James | | Monday, April 13th, 2009 | 11:58 am
[pitr]
 |
| 6:47 am
[purpletigron]
 |
Carpal tunnel problems
I have just been diagnosed with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel compression in my right wrist. Apparently this is due to excessive poor use of a computer mouse triggering an underlying susceptibility to this problem. Currently, my treatment is working well - carpal tunnel wrist supports a bit like this:  Does anyone reading have experience of whether it's possible to continue with aikido training whilst being successfully treated for carpal tunnel problems? If it's possible, is that with or without the wrist braces on during training? My first hospital appointment is at the end of April. Treatment is usually successful in general, with few relapses, I believe. But it's just possible to sustain permanent nerve damage in the wrist and hands if carpal tunnel is not successfully treated. Obviously, I will also be discussing this with sensei. But I'm not sure if he has experience with this particular medical complaint in a student. Edit: Many thanks for all the helpful comments! | | Friday, March 27th, 2009 | 11:42 pm
[pitr]
|
Seminar Anno shihan 22/23/24 May 2009, Netherlands
"On 22, 23 and 24 May Aikido dojo Shi Zen Ryu will host a seminar with Anno shihan. In November 2008 20 aikidoka of Shi Zen Ryu visited the Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Japan. Originally the journey to Japan took place to participate in the Kokusai Taikai 2008, the international meeting in Tanabe, Japan. Following this visit Shi Zen Ryu has invited Anno shihan to give a seminar in our dojo. To our joy Anno shihan has accepted our invitation and will give a seminar from 22 May till 24 May 2009. This event will take place at the Klaverhal in Zoeterwoude, The Netherlands. As soon as more info comes available it will be published on our website." Link to announcement | | Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 | 10:19 pm
[dollyli]
 |
Aikido Yoshinkai NSW, Sydney, Australia And just a friendly reminder:) We are pleased to announce that Aikido Yoshinkai NSW (AYNSW) will be hosting Takeno Sensei with 2 assistants for a 3-day seminar and demonstration in Sydney, Australia on April 11th, 12th and 13th 2009. http://aikido-sydney.com.au/events/takeno-sensei-seminar-promo( Read more... )I know Australia is really far from everything:) But that's the rare opportunity to see and learn from the teacher of that level and we're really happy to host this seminar:) | | Monday, March 16th, 2009 | 11:49 pm
[ganja_chan]
 |
Ukemi questions
Hello :) Some time ago I posted here about my plans on making an aikido journal and so I've started, I've already only written short notes about the roles of Tori and Uke, but here comes a problem. It's about the names of ukemi techniques. On AikiWeb ( here) I found a nice ukemi list, but the problem comes when I see a name like Koho Tento Undo (or Koho Ukemi Undo, I've seen two names for that; it's sort of a soft fall that starts like backward roll but instead of rolling we come back to the starting position) or Zenpo Kaiten, I get all confused... even though I know that sometimes during training people do ukemi that are not really listed anywhere. But, for example, if Zenpo Kaiten is, according to Wikipedia, a forward roll from the leading foot's shoulder to the opposite hip, then how do we call a roll from the back foot's shoulder to the leading foot's hip? (you know what I mean? the opposition of Zenpo?) And what's the difference between a Mae Kaiten Ukemi and Zenpo Kaiten? Could it be Mae Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi or anything like that? Anyone wishing to help? PS. Oh, I've found something interesting. It's in Polish, but it's DAMN a list of ukemi... Do you think it matters that it's jujitsu and not aikido? ;p And anyway I can't find that Koho (anything) Undo, did anyone ever do that? On that site they call it just Koho Ukemi. Geez, I know I can sometimes be a pain in the neck. | | Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 | 5:13 pm
[saberpirate]
 |
I had a mishap in Aikido today, and my big toenail on my left foot got broken half way back. It bled and everything. Ow ow ow ow ow. At least it was just my toenail and not my toe. Looks like I'll be friendly with my icepack for a few days. And I'll be wearing tennis shoes. I managed to not bleed on the mat, however. It was a matter of my foot being in the right spot at the wrong time while someone was practicing a difficult technique. | | Thursday, February 5th, 2009 | 12:45 am
[ganja_chan]
|
In need of ideas!
Hello, I'm making my own private aikido journal and I wanted to ask you, fellow aikidokas, for some help. First of all I need some lists: "technical" ones like list of throws, list of levers, list of pins, list of attacks (maybe you found something like that on the Net? I like the tables on Stefan Stennud's site, but I'm looking for other ones), maybe a list with differences between aikido "styles" (I myself do Kobayashi), and also some "psychological" ones like a list of dojo principles (about the bows, the hierarchy, the respect...), training principles ("A training is not a demonstration of force" etc.) and any other that come to your mind. Also, I need suggestions about what I can put in such a journal. (BTW, the idea struck me after another training during which we did BJJ. It makes me wanna kick someting. If I train aikido, I wanna do aikido, right? x____X So I thought that if I need MOAR aikido, I'll do something to make me develop my abilities, if even a little, and I think that putting my chaotic aikido knowlegde in order would help) I know that those lists might be unfinishable, so I don't want you to waste your time writing anything for me, but if you know any site where I can get such info clear, I'd be grateful if you told me. (oh well if you really wanna write those, it's up to you :P) | | Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 | 5:38 pm
[bobzorin]
 |
| | Friday, January 23rd, 2009 | 9:04 am
[grumple_soup]
 |
Aikido in schools
My instructor has been interested in approaching his daughter's private school with the idea of adding an aikido class to their athletic program for some time now. He recently spoke with the headmistress who asked us to put together a proposal detailing some program options and a description of aikido and its benefits before we meet with her and the head of athletics. Stephan (who is also my employer--I work for his nonprofit as well as the dojo) has asked me to do some research as well as write the first drafts of the proposal. What I had personally envisioned was starting out with a few workshop/seminars and then growing from there depending on how we fit in with the school and the interest from the students. Stephan is envisioning classes as physical education credit but I'm not sure we can just jump into such an important position because this is a fairly prestigious and large school. I'm guessing reality will end up somewhere in between. There aren't any other aikido schools in high school settings in this area as far as I know so I thought I'd ask a few questions here. Does anyone in this community train or teach in a school setting? Do you have any words of wisdom for us? What does your program look like? And, by the way, this would not replace any of our existing classes but would a separate deal altogether although any of the high school students would, of course, be welcome to attend regular classes. Thank you! | | Friday, January 16th, 2009 | 10:25 am
[marinw]
 |
Kanji
Anyone know where I could get a nice, hi-res version of the aikido kanji? I'm designing a poster for an upcomming camp. Thanks and happy practiceing. |
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