Aikido is largely about moving everything that is not pinned down. We are almost always free to move our wrist and fingers because if someone is attacking they are not likely trying to hold hands with you. Cognard Sensei demonstrates the power in our smallest parts. Continue reading Andre Cognard Shihan with a flick of the wrist
Category Archives: Aikido Technique
How can Sarete practice can improve aikido practice?
It still sounds like Aikido…
Steven Seagal explains the philosopy of Aikido but his Aikido has a very different feeling. Talking the talk, maybe not walking the walk? Continue reading It still sounds like Aikido…
Endo Sensei teaches how to act like an aikidoist.
Continuing from last week’s post this is a great video of Endo Sensei leading a seminar demonstrating how breathing, looking, and moving is the foundation for “being” an aikidoist. I will also mention that last time Endo Sensei was in the states I had the opportunity to get harshly criticized for being one of “those people” who don’t attack like an aikidoist. There are plusses and minuses to that as well. Continue reading Endo Sensei teaches how to act like an aikidoist.
Moving into the Void
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0un7jEulTSI]
Art, music, conversation, and certainly aikido is energized by altering the balance of polar opposites to create a point of connection and balance. O’sensei said, “If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.” Continue reading Moving into the Void
Birth and Aikido; What is Ki no Nagare
Nagare waza is a term that is used to say this technique is done in motion but the meaning of the character refers to the “ki” of birth. Continue reading Birth and Aikido; What is Ki no Nagare
The shape of Aikido….Gordon Sakamoto Sensei
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGSLZCrQFI]
Sakamoto Sensei said at a recent seminar that aikido techniques are produced by keeping an non-oppositional shape in response to whatever attack is coming your way. Continue reading The shape of Aikido….Gordon Sakamoto Sensei
Hey, we forgot Uke…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9uhkLC23h8]
You may of seen this video before but I have just started realizing why it caught my eye 6 months ago. This is one of the few lessons Saito Sensei or any other instructor focuses on “What if uke freaks out?” Sure, we look at what to do if a uke resists or counters but what about the uke that is just caught off guard and reacts erratically? In this instance the aikido should be all about uke because once they get it back together they are still coming for you. Continue reading Hey, we forgot Uke…
You are stronger than you “look”
Appearance has been the driving force of how we interpret what it means to “be strong”… but the things we do to look and feel strong do little to improve our stability or capacity to withstand force. Continue reading You are stronger than you “look”
Riai… How Aikido Moves from Death to Resolution.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lqUVoLorWk]
Saito sensei breaks down O’sensei’s movements into a concrete starting point to understand the abstract and generative potential of aikido. The step-by-step approach also illuminates how a martial art can be peaceful and be an effective response to violence. Aikido’s roots are in the samurai and it is important to look at how something so lethal became the “Art of Peace;” riai is the place to start… Continue reading Riai… How Aikido Moves from Death to Resolution.
Dropping your opposition
How you use your body can facilitate or inhibit your goals. Blending in aikido or in personal interaction starts at the connection. If you look down and have a fist or a claw, you are holding onto opposition which certainly doesn’t support positive interaction or resolution. The following three elements are central to every aikido technique and are also movements that can profoundly change day to day experience. Continue reading Dropping your opposition