As I type participants are still performing, but for me this year's annual Yoshinkan Aikido Enbutaikai is over. Now I am just a spectator soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the various demonstrations, some good some not so good but I respect everyone for their willingness to participate. For my part I demonstrated three techniques that combined lasted no longer than 5 minutes! Nevertheless, what I gained in experience is worth making the journey to Tokyo for. I competed in a three round waza competition and unfortunately did not pass through to round two, but disappointment notwithstanding from all accounts I represented myself well. Seeking some advice for next year my sensei told me I looked nervous, my shoulders were tensed and I made some simple mistakes in the waza; things which you are completely unaware of and unconscious of at the time. For me it went by in a blur!
By next year I will hopefully be a brown belt with that much more experience to steady my nerves and now that I have had my first experience of the Enbutaikai I think I will handle the pressure that much better next time. And I do plan on there being a next time, work permitting. Just being in Tokyo at the annual Enbutaikai with some of the best Yoshinkan Aikidoka and Shihans in attendance is a thrill. Getting to watch, observe and learn from my own sensei's demonstrations first hand is also an honour and a worthwhile experience.
All in all it has been a whirlwind adventure here in Tokyo but I am loving every minute of it!
Osu!
Friday 14 November 2014
Saturday 27 September 2014
Internalizing the fundamental principles of Aikido
This weekend has reminded me how grateful I am to have a multiplicity of teachers. At my dojo Payet Sensei is my Head Instructor but their are two other junior instructors who I regularly train under as well. All three of my main instructors have different strengths and thus by learning from all of them I am gleaning different insights into how to improve not just my technique but also my posture and control over my own body. Yesterday I was under the tuition of my English sensei who I find to be particularly good at showing me the weakness in my posture and centre of gravity. Yesterday was also my 4th Kyu grading...to my surprise!
It is one thing to learn the movements of a technique, to commit them to memory and to practice the basic mechanics of the technique. While clumsy, one can still perform the technique even with little understanding of the underlying principles at work to make the technique effective. It is the internal element of all techniques that truly makes them effective. Once the principles have been internalized the techniques will become more effective and more powerful. Brute strength can overcome lack of skill in many cases, but only once the principles have been internalized and they have become embedded into the muscle memory will the technique be executed to its maximum potential.
The centre line is profoundly important to Yoshinkan Aikido. Aligning your body through your centre line increases the potential effectiveness of the technique. Aligning your hips and torso along your centre line is crucial to Yoshinkan Aikido techniques, as is channeling your power through your tanden or centre. In Yoshinkan Aikido your power comes through your hips not your arms or upper body. Consequently, your upper body and lower body (namely your arms and legs) need to work in unison, never being used separately. This is very difficult when practicing techniques for the first time or while you are still learning them.
Yet this should be the aim of all Yoshinkan Aikidoka. As I listen to, watch, observe and even feel my instructors` technique I see this internalization and connection being made. Their technique`s are strong, powerful and effective and yet they never rely on strength. They are strong without being strong. They do not concentrate their power in their grip or arms and yet their techniques work and their techniques work because they are focusing their power through their hips, their posture is perfect and they are continually moving and operating through their centre lines.
Naturally there is a massive difference between the world of the dojo and the world on the street. In a dojo the purity and perfection of the technique is sought and can legitimately be attained. In the street things happen in an instance and one`s reactions may mean the difference between life and death. I do not expect my instructors to be able to perform a perfect technique in a real world self defense scenario. But through their years of training and honing their skills and internalization of the principles of the techniques, I believe their instincts and body movements would be enough to preserve themselves. It is this thought that gives me great encouragement. Without training or a practical and experiential understanding of the principles underlying the techniques I would be very ill-equipped to defend myself. Even if with adrenaline pumping and a survival instinct awoken I would not be in control of my own body and possibly even my mind.
By harnessing the power that comes from aligning the body through its centre line and keeping my centre of gravity low, it is then possible to execute powerful techniques without resorting to brute strength. This is the application of Aiki.
It is one thing to learn the movements of a technique, to commit them to memory and to practice the basic mechanics of the technique. While clumsy, one can still perform the technique even with little understanding of the underlying principles at work to make the technique effective. It is the internal element of all techniques that truly makes them effective. Once the principles have been internalized the techniques will become more effective and more powerful. Brute strength can overcome lack of skill in many cases, but only once the principles have been internalized and they have become embedded into the muscle memory will the technique be executed to its maximum potential.
The centre line is profoundly important to Yoshinkan Aikido. Aligning your body through your centre line increases the potential effectiveness of the technique. Aligning your hips and torso along your centre line is crucial to Yoshinkan Aikido techniques, as is channeling your power through your tanden or centre. In Yoshinkan Aikido your power comes through your hips not your arms or upper body. Consequently, your upper body and lower body (namely your arms and legs) need to work in unison, never being used separately. This is very difficult when practicing techniques for the first time or while you are still learning them.
Yet this should be the aim of all Yoshinkan Aikidoka. As I listen to, watch, observe and even feel my instructors` technique I see this internalization and connection being made. Their technique`s are strong, powerful and effective and yet they never rely on strength. They are strong without being strong. They do not concentrate their power in their grip or arms and yet their techniques work and their techniques work because they are focusing their power through their hips, their posture is perfect and they are continually moving and operating through their centre lines.
Naturally there is a massive difference between the world of the dojo and the world on the street. In a dojo the purity and perfection of the technique is sought and can legitimately be attained. In the street things happen in an instance and one`s reactions may mean the difference between life and death. I do not expect my instructors to be able to perform a perfect technique in a real world self defense scenario. But through their years of training and honing their skills and internalization of the principles of the techniques, I believe their instincts and body movements would be enough to preserve themselves. It is this thought that gives me great encouragement. Without training or a practical and experiential understanding of the principles underlying the techniques I would be very ill-equipped to defend myself. Even if with adrenaline pumping and a survival instinct awoken I would not be in control of my own body and possibly even my mind.
By harnessing the power that comes from aligning the body through its centre line and keeping my centre of gravity low, it is then possible to execute powerful techniques without resorting to brute strength. This is the application of Aiki.
Tuesday 15 July 2014
Shu Ha Ri
As I prepare to leave Japan for a month on holiday and return back to the UK for the first time as a married man, I thought this would be a good juncture to reflect on my first 6 months or so of Yoshinkan Aikido training and talk about the Japanese concept of Shu Ha Ri.
In my short time so far as an aikidoka I have successfully passed two gradings. I now hold the rank of 5th Kyu. These gradings have been very different in nature to my experience of grading in Dentokan Aikijujutsu. The first point of contrast is that the Yoshinkan Aikido syllabus starts with tachi waza, or in other words standing techniques. In contrast Dentokan Aikijujutsu begins with suware waza (sitting techniques). The second most obvious difference is the fact that each grading in Yoshinkan Aikido, or at least at this stage as a kyu grade, involves demonstration of a different set of new techniques; unlike Dentokan Aikijujutsu, which involved demonstrating every technique necessary from white belt upwards. This means the gradings tend to be shorter and more focused.
This in no way means I have mastered the techniques needed for my 6th kyu grading rather, what I believe is being assessed is not whether I can perform the same technique to a higher standard with every grading, but am I progressing in the basic movements and fundamentals of Yoshinkan Aikido and can I integrate them into the waza in the syllabus? For example Katate Mochi Shihonage 1 incorporates the Kihon Dosa movements of Shumatsu Dosa 1 ( see videos below) and Katate Mochi Sokumen Iriminage 1 incorporates the movements of Tai no Henko 1. Thus rather than seeing the Kihon Dosa as the basic movements to improve foot work and posture that every beginner has to start with, they are in fact integral to every waza.
Shumatsu Dosa 1
Katate Mochi Shihonage 1
The Kihon Dosa teaches you how to align your body so that you have strong posture and low centre of gravity, which are very important to good balance and effective techniques. The Kihon Dosa also means there is no shortcut to success in Yoshinkan Aikido: it truly requires discipline and practice to execute correctly and that is at the most basic level when you are performing them solo, let alone when you have to perform them in pairs and then in the waza!
Shu Ha Ri
Shu Ha Ri is a Japanese concept and teaching paradigm. It is found in many Japanese arts and is taught also in traditional Japanese budo such as Aikido. I have just finished reading a book of the same name explaining the concept and its principles as well as how it applies to one`s Aikido training. Having studied Aikijujutsu for almost 3 years I was familiar with various martial concepts such as Mushin (no mind), Maai (distance) and kuzushi (breaking balance) but I had never heard of Shu Ha Ri.
Shu Ha Ri has to do with the progression from student to teacher with each stage taking several years (sometimes decades) to achieve. Neither is it guaranteed that all Aikido students will achieve all stages.
Shu
The first stage Shu has to do with learning and being a student. This stage as indicated in the book I read is from 8th kyu (white belt) to nidan (2nd Dan). This is the most substantial period of learning and theoretically is the longest stage in the process. The book I read estimates it could take anywhere from 10 to 15 years. During this stage ideally the student will learn from the same teacher for the entire duration and not begin teaching themselves after they achieve shodan (1st Dan), which is so often the case in many clubs and dojos. Throughout this time the student learns uncritically from their teacher and seeks to perfect the waza as instructed and passed onto them.
Ha
The second stage Ha sees the aikidoka progressing from merely learning to experimenting with variations and attempting applications while still learning and perhaps also now teaching themselves in a limited capacity. This stage is from sandan (3rd Dan) to yondan (4th Dan). During this stage, which again can last anywhere up to 10 years, the basic waza is continued to be practiced and reinforced but variations can now be added and experimentation in different levels of resistance and chaining techniques together etc. can be practiced. This is the level most martial artists manage to achieve but few rarely progress from.
Ri
The final stage is Ri and this is the most elusive of all stages. Ri should only be sought after achieving godan (5th Dan) and is essentially the ability (through mastery of the waza and sheer experience) to be able to discard the waza altogether. In theory it is about being able to distill from the waza its very essence and even create new waza, in effect personalizing the art to make it your own. I`m assuming this was the level at which Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) was able to create his new and distinct art Aikido from the Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu he had learnt under Sokaku Takeda.
Implications
Shu Ha Ri is a complete paradigm shift for me. It has changed my perspective on the martial arts as a lifestyle and a form of self-expression. Shu Ha Ru may not be a practical concept for those who need to learn self-defense quickly, whether because they live in a dangerous area or because their work/career demands it i.e. the Police Force or Army. But, there are many legitimate reasons to train in the martial arts not just purely the need for self-defense. I train because I love to train. There are several reasons why I love to train including (in no particular order):
In my short time so far as an aikidoka I have successfully passed two gradings. I now hold the rank of 5th Kyu. These gradings have been very different in nature to my experience of grading in Dentokan Aikijujutsu. The first point of contrast is that the Yoshinkan Aikido syllabus starts with tachi waza, or in other words standing techniques. In contrast Dentokan Aikijujutsu begins with suware waza (sitting techniques). The second most obvious difference is the fact that each grading in Yoshinkan Aikido, or at least at this stage as a kyu grade, involves demonstration of a different set of new techniques; unlike Dentokan Aikijujutsu, which involved demonstrating every technique necessary from white belt upwards. This means the gradings tend to be shorter and more focused.
This in no way means I have mastered the techniques needed for my 6th kyu grading rather, what I believe is being assessed is not whether I can perform the same technique to a higher standard with every grading, but am I progressing in the basic movements and fundamentals of Yoshinkan Aikido and can I integrate them into the waza in the syllabus? For example Katate Mochi Shihonage 1 incorporates the Kihon Dosa movements of Shumatsu Dosa 1 ( see videos below) and Katate Mochi Sokumen Iriminage 1 incorporates the movements of Tai no Henko 1. Thus rather than seeing the Kihon Dosa as the basic movements to improve foot work and posture that every beginner has to start with, they are in fact integral to every waza.
Shumatsu Dosa 1
Katate Mochi Shihonage 1
The Kihon Dosa teaches you how to align your body so that you have strong posture and low centre of gravity, which are very important to good balance and effective techniques. The Kihon Dosa also means there is no shortcut to success in Yoshinkan Aikido: it truly requires discipline and practice to execute correctly and that is at the most basic level when you are performing them solo, let alone when you have to perform them in pairs and then in the waza!
Shu Ha Ri
Shu Ha Ri is a Japanese concept and teaching paradigm. It is found in many Japanese arts and is taught also in traditional Japanese budo such as Aikido. I have just finished reading a book of the same name explaining the concept and its principles as well as how it applies to one`s Aikido training. Having studied Aikijujutsu for almost 3 years I was familiar with various martial concepts such as Mushin (no mind), Maai (distance) and kuzushi (breaking balance) but I had never heard of Shu Ha Ri.
Shu Ha Ri has to do with the progression from student to teacher with each stage taking several years (sometimes decades) to achieve. Neither is it guaranteed that all Aikido students will achieve all stages.
Shu
The first stage Shu has to do with learning and being a student. This stage as indicated in the book I read is from 8th kyu (white belt) to nidan (2nd Dan). This is the most substantial period of learning and theoretically is the longest stage in the process. The book I read estimates it could take anywhere from 10 to 15 years. During this stage ideally the student will learn from the same teacher for the entire duration and not begin teaching themselves after they achieve shodan (1st Dan), which is so often the case in many clubs and dojos. Throughout this time the student learns uncritically from their teacher and seeks to perfect the waza as instructed and passed onto them.
Ha
The second stage Ha sees the aikidoka progressing from merely learning to experimenting with variations and attempting applications while still learning and perhaps also now teaching themselves in a limited capacity. This stage is from sandan (3rd Dan) to yondan (4th Dan). During this stage, which again can last anywhere up to 10 years, the basic waza is continued to be practiced and reinforced but variations can now be added and experimentation in different levels of resistance and chaining techniques together etc. can be practiced. This is the level most martial artists manage to achieve but few rarely progress from.
Ri
The final stage is Ri and this is the most elusive of all stages. Ri should only be sought after achieving godan (5th Dan) and is essentially the ability (through mastery of the waza and sheer experience) to be able to discard the waza altogether. In theory it is about being able to distill from the waza its very essence and even create new waza, in effect personalizing the art to make it your own. I`m assuming this was the level at which Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) was able to create his new and distinct art Aikido from the Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu he had learnt under Sokaku Takeda.
Implications
Shu Ha Ri is a complete paradigm shift for me. It has changed my perspective on the martial arts as a lifestyle and a form of self-expression. Shu Ha Ru may not be a practical concept for those who need to learn self-defense quickly, whether because they live in a dangerous area or because their work/career demands it i.e. the Police Force or Army. But, there are many legitimate reasons to train in the martial arts not just purely the need for self-defense. I train because I love to train. There are several reasons why I love to train including (in no particular order):
- Gained confidence
- Exercise and doing something physically demanding
- It is therapeutic
- It is unlike what I do for a living and provides a contrast to my work
- Being a part of the traditions and culture of Japan
For many martial artists they train for the same or similar reasons. I think in this respect Shu Ha Ri gives us a paradigm with which to inform and focus our training. It can make our training more purposeful and meaningful as well as keep us (and even whole clubs and dojos) in check from cutting corners and hiding deficiencies or a lack of competence. So many clubs encourage students to essentially enter into the Ha stage too early and there are many teachers who are not competent enough to teach properly. Shu Ha Ri ensures students invest in mastering the art before trying to personalize it and experiment irresponsibly with the waza. It also gives students and teachers a good measuring stick to use to know whether one is becoming complacent in their practice or training. If students teach too early they run the risk of stopping learning and some teachers once they achieve Ha may fail to strive to reach Ri. I am glad and thankful for learning about this concept so early into my Aikido journey. The martial arts are a life long learning experience and Shu Ha Ri provides the paradigm to follow that path.
Thursday 3 April 2014
Enjoying Being a Beginner
This week, my wife and I took part in the general class, rather than being given more personal individual instruction as beginners. The class was taught by Payet Sensei, Head Instructor of our dojo in Kyoto and very distinguished Yoshinkan Aikido Shihan. Payet Sensei gave me a lot of constructive criticism and correction over the course of the evening, which I was thankful for and felt truly honoured to be studying under him. As a westerner living in Japan and learning Aikido, Payet Sensei and his assistant instructors are an inspiration to me.
I think most people engaged in learning and studying desire one day to become an expert. At least I do. I know that I don`t want to be a neophyte forever. I have dreams and ambitions in Yoshinkan Aikido, even if they are only pipe dreams. I desire not just to earn my black belt, but to perfect to the best of my ability this wonderful and challenging art. But the path from novice to true proficient and master takes many years of hard work, dedication and rigorous, purposeful training; I am under no illusion. Within Yoshinkan Aikido the emphasis until Nidan (2nd degree black belt) is that of control and connection with your uke, not speed. Yoshinkan means "cultivation of the spirit", so it should come as no surprise that it takes training in the basics and fundamentals very seriously before moving onto more advanced waza.
I have to temper my ambitions and humble myself before every class. I am not the sensei, nor will I be for the foreseeable future. Instead I have to learn to enjoy being a beginner and that is something I am taking genuine pleasure in right now - to be able to attend classes every week and discover a new technique, to be shown something I have not seen before or have had no prior opportunity to practice; to begin to get a feel for how each technique works: it`s mechanics, it`s effectiveness and it`s intention. This is genuinely a wonderful time of excitment and awe for me. That is why I want to savour the experience of being a beginner, to be humble and not make too many demands on myself but just to continue training and continue enjoying the experience of learning new things.
I think most people engaged in learning and studying desire one day to become an expert. At least I do. I know that I don`t want to be a neophyte forever. I have dreams and ambitions in Yoshinkan Aikido, even if they are only pipe dreams. I desire not just to earn my black belt, but to perfect to the best of my ability this wonderful and challenging art. But the path from novice to true proficient and master takes many years of hard work, dedication and rigorous, purposeful training; I am under no illusion. Within Yoshinkan Aikido the emphasis until Nidan (2nd degree black belt) is that of control and connection with your uke, not speed. Yoshinkan means "cultivation of the spirit", so it should come as no surprise that it takes training in the basics and fundamentals very seriously before moving onto more advanced waza.
I have to temper my ambitions and humble myself before every class. I am not the sensei, nor will I be for the foreseeable future. Instead I have to learn to enjoy being a beginner and that is something I am taking genuine pleasure in right now - to be able to attend classes every week and discover a new technique, to be shown something I have not seen before or have had no prior opportunity to practice; to begin to get a feel for how each technique works: it`s mechanics, it`s effectiveness and it`s intention. This is genuinely a wonderful time of excitment and awe for me. That is why I want to savour the experience of being a beginner, to be humble and not make too many demands on myself but just to continue training and continue enjoying the experience of learning new things.
Tuesday 25 March 2014
My First Yoshinkan Aikido Grading
Yesterday I took part in my first Yoshinkan Aikido grading. It wasn`t a flawless grading by any means, but a successful one. The grading actually took place midway through the second class of the evening, giving me time to train and practice in the first class. By the time my sensei was ready to start the grading I was tired and sore, having grazed my knee during the previous class` training. However, as the moment arrived the adrenaline and nerves kicked in and I began performing the techniques as my sensei called them out. As this was my first grading I had to start from the very beginning including the two kamae stances (right and left) as well as kneeling from standing position and knee walking. This was uncomfortable and sore on already bruised and grazed knees!
After demonstrating I could perform the basic movements to a satisfactory degree, we began the Kihon Dosa, the fundamental movements that are foundational to the waza in Yoshinkan Aikido. There are six Kihon Dosa movements in all, three sets of paired movements that are designed to build good posture and hip strength. The power of Yoshinkan Aikido techniques lies in the hips and tanden and so developing a strong centre of gravity is essential. I was fairly happy with my demonstration although perfecting the Kihon Dosa will take many more months and even years.
After the Kihon Dosa came the first four waza in the Yoshinkan Aikido syllabus; Katate Mochi Shihonage 1 & 2 and Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1&2. For these waza I needed a partner and my wife very kindly acted as my uke. While I was very appreciative of her willingness to uke for me, being so much smaller than me makes performing the waza even more difficult. So in one way my waza had to be even better as I had to get my hips lower in order to execute the waza effectively. Here is where I made my mistake; instead of performing Katate Mochi Shihonage 1, I performed Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1 instead. I think it was a combination of tiredness and nerves, especially with my wife as uke, as I knew the order of the grading having practised it thoroughly in the class before.
Realizing my mistake and clarifying with my sensei his instruction I promptly demonstrated Katate Mochi Shihonage 1, followed by Katate Mochi Shihonage 2 and then both Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1&2. Afterwards my sensei, with a grin on his face, told me that I`d passed and that I had done well. He jokingly stated it wasn`t the worst mistake he`d seen in a grading before and at least I had performed a correct technique. I was happy and relieved to have passed my first grading in Yoshinkan Aikido.
Even though this was only my first grading and in many ways was a very low key affair being but the first rung on the ladder, I was happy to be allowed to grade after only a couple of months of training. Grading is important to my martial arts` journey. In traditional budos such as Aiki-Jujutsu and Aikido where there is no competition, grading serves as a place to put your waza to the test and see if you have truly understood the concepts and acquired the skill level necessary to begin making the waza effective; something which is important to the application of such techniques in a real self-defence situation.
Another reason why grading is important to my martial arts` journey is because it gives me a sense of ownership over the waza. You can learn a technique in class, but if you have not tested yourself using it then there is less feeling of accomplishment. Once you have passed the grading there is a real sense of accomplishment and skill acquisition that gives you ownership over the technique. You know, at least to a certain degree that you can remember and perform that technique. This builds confidence for learning the next set of waza and for future gradings.
The path of the martial artist is a lifetime of learning. Now that I have passed my first grading more will be expected of me and the standards will start to get higher. This kind of pressure, I believe, is good and healthy. The goal is simple. To strive to perfect each and every technique. This is also why gradings are important because they instill a sense of purpose into each and every training session. While that motivation should always come from within, nevertheless it is good to be given an indication of your ability and reach certain milestones in your journey.
I want to say a big thank you to my wife for being my uke and to my two sensei`s who have worked with me since we started. Their style of didactic teaching has really helped me mentally and physically to learn the techniques. I have been blessed in my years learning budo to have had such high ranking, qualified instructors who have taught me the techniques and opened this world up for me, who have been close to the source of many of these techniques and schools of budo. I have been greatly impressed by the quality of instruction and teaching I have received at my new dojo.
So to the next class, for this journey is one class at a time.
After demonstrating I could perform the basic movements to a satisfactory degree, we began the Kihon Dosa, the fundamental movements that are foundational to the waza in Yoshinkan Aikido. There are six Kihon Dosa movements in all, three sets of paired movements that are designed to build good posture and hip strength. The power of Yoshinkan Aikido techniques lies in the hips and tanden and so developing a strong centre of gravity is essential. I was fairly happy with my demonstration although perfecting the Kihon Dosa will take many more months and even years.
After the Kihon Dosa came the first four waza in the Yoshinkan Aikido syllabus; Katate Mochi Shihonage 1 & 2 and Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1&2. For these waza I needed a partner and my wife very kindly acted as my uke. While I was very appreciative of her willingness to uke for me, being so much smaller than me makes performing the waza even more difficult. So in one way my waza had to be even better as I had to get my hips lower in order to execute the waza effectively. Here is where I made my mistake; instead of performing Katate Mochi Shihonage 1, I performed Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1 instead. I think it was a combination of tiredness and nerves, especially with my wife as uke, as I knew the order of the grading having practised it thoroughly in the class before.
Realizing my mistake and clarifying with my sensei his instruction I promptly demonstrated Katate Mochi Shihonage 1, followed by Katate Mochi Shihonage 2 and then both Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1&2. Afterwards my sensei, with a grin on his face, told me that I`d passed and that I had done well. He jokingly stated it wasn`t the worst mistake he`d seen in a grading before and at least I had performed a correct technique. I was happy and relieved to have passed my first grading in Yoshinkan Aikido.
Even though this was only my first grading and in many ways was a very low key affair being but the first rung on the ladder, I was happy to be allowed to grade after only a couple of months of training. Grading is important to my martial arts` journey. In traditional budos such as Aiki-Jujutsu and Aikido where there is no competition, grading serves as a place to put your waza to the test and see if you have truly understood the concepts and acquired the skill level necessary to begin making the waza effective; something which is important to the application of such techniques in a real self-defence situation.
Another reason why grading is important to my martial arts` journey is because it gives me a sense of ownership over the waza. You can learn a technique in class, but if you have not tested yourself using it then there is less feeling of accomplishment. Once you have passed the grading there is a real sense of accomplishment and skill acquisition that gives you ownership over the technique. You know, at least to a certain degree that you can remember and perform that technique. This builds confidence for learning the next set of waza and for future gradings.
The path of the martial artist is a lifetime of learning. Now that I have passed my first grading more will be expected of me and the standards will start to get higher. This kind of pressure, I believe, is good and healthy. The goal is simple. To strive to perfect each and every technique. This is also why gradings are important because they instill a sense of purpose into each and every training session. While that motivation should always come from within, nevertheless it is good to be given an indication of your ability and reach certain milestones in your journey.
I want to say a big thank you to my wife for being my uke and to my two sensei`s who have worked with me since we started. Their style of didactic teaching has really helped me mentally and physically to learn the techniques. I have been blessed in my years learning budo to have had such high ranking, qualified instructors who have taught me the techniques and opened this world up for me, who have been close to the source of many of these techniques and schools of budo. I have been greatly impressed by the quality of instruction and teaching I have received at my new dojo.
So to the next class, for this journey is one class at a time.
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Perseverance
Even though I`ve been doing Yoshinkan Aikido less than two months, it has already tested my physical as well as psychological endurance. The Kihon Dosa requires much perseverance as the movements feel so unnatural at first. My sensei told me the other night as I was training that because I am tall (5`11 but taller than some of the other students in the class) that it is harder for me to get my hips lower, which is necessary for correct kamae. Jokingly he told me to go as low as I could (while maintaining correct posture) and when I can go no lower... to go lower! The Kihon Dosa is quite painful on my lower back as I try to align my shoulders and hips and place my bodyweight forward. Thus I am in quite a bit of discomfort as I train.
The other aspect of perseverance, which I am also now discovering is to do with bad habits. While practising Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1, I must block a strike with my forearm. However, the angle of my arm was too horizontal and therefore too weak to protect myself from a real strike. It is only a small thing, but so essential to correct and get right for effective self-defence. I am learning that Yoshinkan Aikido takes self-protection very seriously. The Kihon Dosa as well as the waza are designed to protect and to cultivate strong posture. As these slowly become ingrained into my muscle memory I will find myself naturally being far more able to defend myself without using brute strength, relying on bodyweight and good kamae to displace my attackers strength and assault.
Naturally all things are difficult when you first begin. Nevertheless Yoshinkan Aikido is proving a challenge I have not faced before in the use of my body. Due to the seemingly unnatural movement and training of the body through the Kihon Dosa and the emphasis on blending with your attackers force following the path of least resistance, Yoshinkan Aikido is not a martial art that gives you practical self-defence application quickly. This could frustrate many a student who seeks a much more direct approach to self-defence through the martial arts. However, I am even more determined now due to my exposure to Yoshinkan Aikido to persevere and master this beautiful and highly sophisticated martial art.
I believe perseverance will bear much fruit later down the path of my training and that Yoshinkan Aikido is a truly worthwhile pursuit and endeavour. The road will be difficult and will require much greater resolve than I am needing to employ now, but, "nothing worth doing is ever easy!"
The other aspect of perseverance, which I am also now discovering is to do with bad habits. While practising Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae 1, I must block a strike with my forearm. However, the angle of my arm was too horizontal and therefore too weak to protect myself from a real strike. It is only a small thing, but so essential to correct and get right for effective self-defence. I am learning that Yoshinkan Aikido takes self-protection very seriously. The Kihon Dosa as well as the waza are designed to protect and to cultivate strong posture. As these slowly become ingrained into my muscle memory I will find myself naturally being far more able to defend myself without using brute strength, relying on bodyweight and good kamae to displace my attackers strength and assault.
Naturally all things are difficult when you first begin. Nevertheless Yoshinkan Aikido is proving a challenge I have not faced before in the use of my body. Due to the seemingly unnatural movement and training of the body through the Kihon Dosa and the emphasis on blending with your attackers force following the path of least resistance, Yoshinkan Aikido is not a martial art that gives you practical self-defence application quickly. This could frustrate many a student who seeks a much more direct approach to self-defence through the martial arts. However, I am even more determined now due to my exposure to Yoshinkan Aikido to persevere and master this beautiful and highly sophisticated martial art.
I believe perseverance will bear much fruit later down the path of my training and that Yoshinkan Aikido is a truly worthwhile pursuit and endeavour. The road will be difficult and will require much greater resolve than I am needing to employ now, but, "nothing worth doing is ever easy!"
Tuesday 18 February 2014
Understanding My Own Body
It has only been three weeks since starting Yoshinkan Aikido and already I am beginning to understand that I am so ignorant about my own body. The Kihon Dosa, the basic set of stances and movements, are designed to improve posture and develop proper body weight distribution. Strength is not the aim of Aikido but rather the correct distribution of body weight applied through maintaining a strong centre line through the alignment of hips and shoulders. It is this alignment of hips and shoulders and centring of the body that is so difficult as a novice. The angle of the feet, the width of the stance and the distribution of body weight in a forward direction through the centre line are all crucial. These movements are painful for the person, like myself, not accustomed to them. Yet they will bear fruit further into my training and indeed Kamae and the Kihon Dosa are the basis of all Yoshinkan Waza. I am happy to practise and drill these basic movements as I know and can already see in my sensei that they will produce a strong core and foundation for my Aikido journey. A journey of self development and discovery.
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