Aikido and Connecting !

Below is a link to a 2 minute video from one of my favorite teachers, though he does not teach the techniques of Aikido! 
This brief white-board talk is about "CONNECTING" with other people, an important principle of Aikido and a useful strategy for relating to others.

http://www.posdev.net/pdn/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=People-with-significant-personal-impact-on-others..html&Itemid=81

Aikido has a geometry of its own. The power in the movement of  Aikido comes from circular motion around a stable, energized center. Aikido is represented by the shapes of the triangle, circle and square.  Some suggest that O'Sensei extracted these from Shinto cosmology and the theory of interconnectedness of matter and being.

One core shape of Aikido, the Circle, is present and apparent throughout the universe. Contemporary thinking is that this is the fundamental shape in sub-atomic particles.  Ki is thought to flow into the body in a great spiral and radiates out similarly.  Still, it must be remembered that Aikido is also based on the linear strikes of Japanese swordsmanship.

The Triangle can be said to represent the triangular posture predominant in Aikido, triangulation of arms to centre/hips, and triangular offline avoidance.  The Square is about relationship to ukes ('attackers'); this can represent solidity of stance, or the principles of “being down-heavy."

The triangle also can be seenin  the ideal stance or hanmi for stability -the feet in a close triangle.  The close stance allows for speed and stability, and translates into "half-body." At a practical level the back foot is canted slightly to relieve any strain on the medial meniscus.

  The alignment of the hips and the circular arcs of movement allow for the generation of significant power, like the winding and uncoiling of a spring.

Not all of Aikido may be explained by leverage or bio-mechanics.  Over time, Ki energy combined with breath (kokyu) available to the aikidoka so that little tor no muscular resistance is needed to blend with the attack and execute a technique or throw.

Aikido Keiko !!

Progress comes to those who train and train; 

reliance on secret techniques will get you nowhere.

      Morihei Ueshiba

Budo is ultimately about getting up one more time than you fall down. Barry Sensei

 

Saito Shihan Demonstrates ushiro attacks

It is so amazing the details that Saito Shihan has worked out to teach Aikido.

Here is a short clip of uke ushiro attacks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyNsMXwqNzc&NR=1

Fundraising for Japan

Hi all,  our dojo is developing a fundraising project for raising $$ for Japan.  Please send me any ideas you may have.  So far, Cheeko-san has suggested a public boken ring, with sponsors for every 100 strikes.

Also, see below from Takemusu Aikido Association President, Bill Witt:

Hello Everyone,

Here is a picture of the damage to the Ibaraki Shibu Dojo (Iwama Dojo).

As I mentioned before, Doshu will be traveling out to Iwama next week to assess the damage and decide what to do next.

I will let you all know more, if I get later news.

Regards,

Bill

Hans Goto Sensei in Sarasota Feb 11-12, 2012

Goto Sensei has agreed to do a seminar in Sarasota on Feb 11-12, including a tradition of buki-waza on the beach at Siesta Key.

Hans Goto has almost 40 years experience in the martial arts. His main focus has been Aikido, with extended residential training in Iwama, Japan at the Aikido Shrine under Morihiro Saito Shihan. Goto Sensei is the first non-Japanese citizen to undergo this intensive traditional style training. Besides holding a 7th degree Black Belt in Aikido, he has also trained in Judo, T'ai Qi Quan, and Wushu. Goto Sensei is Head Instructor and founder of Bay Marin Aikido and on the Board and Executive Committee of Takemusu Aikido Association.

Training with Hito Hiro Sensei

Jan, Eric, Frank, and I were really privileged to have great training with HitoHiro Sensei this weekend.
Exceptional experiences and I will do my best to relay some of the core elements we learned.

One thing for sure, and I think Jan, Eric, and Frank will attest to this: 
Doing basic forms, in tai jitsu, aiki-ken, and aiki-jo are essential to developing solid Aikido skills.

Aiki-Extensions....Taking Aikido off the Mat

We have become members of  http://www.aiki-extensions.org/

This is an organization I encourage all to check to check out.

"Aiki Extensions is an organization dedicated to disseminating and applying Aiki principles and methods outside the traditional martial arts training situation. AE members have applied Aiki principles in such areas as business, bodywork, psychotherapy, teaching, mediation, and sports. They have found that Aiki principles enhance their professional effectiveness and personal well being."