Friday, May 16, 2014
May 15, 2014
Stuff going down peripherally, so didn't train, but watched class carefully. Came away with some observations.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Monday, May 12
Got used as uke today much more than usual in Jonathan's two classes. Didn't mess up, didn't break anything. It was pretty great, resilient, flexible, and wasn't winded. Feeling really good tonight except for my toe, which was stood upon in class by Sensei. ;)
Didn't post on Saturday, but attended two classes.
Hours won't be up to 300 for 1st kyu testing, but am still trying to schedule practice time with Matt and Wini and some yudansha as available to practice, because I can help them out as uke and get a head start on my own testing. I wish I was testing this time, but alas.
Didn't post on Saturday, but attended two classes.
Hours won't be up to 300 for 1st kyu testing, but am still trying to schedule practice time with Matt and Wini and some yudansha as available to practice, because I can help them out as uke and get a head start on my own testing. I wish I was testing this time, but alas.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Wednesday and Thursday May 7-8
One class Weds. due to the fact that my toe was not getting any love. It's not as swollen anymore (couldn't put my boot on). Saturday should be okay. Thursday Tableau Company All-Hands Meeting all day, so missed classes, for which I am most bummed. See you Saturday for both.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Beyond Ritual, by John Messores (July 11, 2009)
Originally published in Aikido Today Magazine, #81 Vol 16 Number 3, May / June 2002.
Where do you think you will be if you are attacked? In a well-lit space, barefoot, with mats, wearing loose fitting clothes, completely warmed up, stretched out, alert, well-rested, facing your attacker with ample time to size up the situation? Do you think a real attacker will step back and indicate with which hand he will begin his attack? Why are the martial aspects of our training necessary? Because they give an edge, a spark, a push to our training. Even if your Aikido is a metaphor in the study of conflict resolution, it’s necessary to push to the next level by more intense training.
That doesn’t mean rougher. If you are stuck trying to be stronger, faster, and harder than everyone else, the higher aspects of Aikido training will never have a chance to grow.
How do you know when you are training with enough intensity? Hard training is done with focus, without preparation, and by training outside the “comfort zone.” Intense training should feel just a little frightening to both Uke and Nage. Aikidoka should explore beyond their limits, and remember that every action for Uke and Nage come from battle techniques intended to kill or disable an opponent. One of my Japanese seniors, Shigeru Suzuki Sensei, once told me that without hard training my Aikido would never “higher up.”
Where do you think you will be if you are attacked? In a well-lit space, barefoot, with mats, wearing loose fitting clothes, completely warmed up, stretched out, alert, well-rested, facing your attacker with ample time to size up the situation? Do you think a real attacker will step back and indicate with which hand he will begin his attack? Why are the martial aspects of our training necessary? Because they give an edge, a spark, a push to our training. Even if your Aikido is a metaphor in the study of conflict resolution, it’s necessary to push to the next level by more intense training.
That doesn’t mean rougher. If you are stuck trying to be stronger, faster, and harder than everyone else, the higher aspects of Aikido training will never have a chance to grow.
How do you know when you are training with enough intensity? Hard training is done with focus, without preparation, and by training outside the “comfort zone.” Intense training should feel just a little frightening to both Uke and Nage. Aikidoka should explore beyond their limits, and remember that every action for Uke and Nage come from battle techniques intended to kill or disable an opponent. One of my Japanese seniors, Shigeru Suzuki Sensei, once told me that without hard training my Aikido would never “higher up.”
Being Uke: 2004 editorial by Guy Hagen
Ukemi – training as Uke, being the attacker, taking the falls — is probably the most important part of your Aikido experience. 99% of your interaction with your Sensei will be as an Uke. More importantly, Uke and Nage are two sides of the same coin. The way you train as Uke will shape the way you perform technique as Nage, and in the end how good of a martial artist you will become.
Unfortunately, students — and I mean our students too — fall into limiting, destructive patterns as Uke.
The best way to avoid these patterns is flexibility in our training styles. There is a saying in Tai Chi Chu’an: “train low center, train high center; train strong, train weak; train fast, train slow.” The message is that we must learn to “switch on” different ways of moving that best fit the situation and increase our understanding of the art.
Based on the different styles and Dojos that I’ve trained in and my own training and teaching, I’ve categorized a few important “ways of being Uke.” none of them is really better or “higher level” than the others, and I strongly urge every student to try each style with determination and sincerity. In my own training, I would often try to “be” each of these Ukes to the best of my ability for a couple weeks or a month at a time.
Unfortunately, students — and I mean our students too — fall into limiting, destructive patterns as Uke.
The best way to avoid these patterns is flexibility in our training styles. There is a saying in Tai Chi Chu’an: “train low center, train high center; train strong, train weak; train fast, train slow.” The message is that we must learn to “switch on” different ways of moving that best fit the situation and increase our understanding of the art.
Based on the different styles and Dojos that I’ve trained in and my own training and teaching, I’ve categorized a few important “ways of being Uke.” none of them is really better or “higher level” than the others, and I strongly urge every student to try each style with determination and sincerity. In my own training, I would often try to “be” each of these Ukes to the best of my ability for a couple weeks or a month at a time.
- Passive (Empty) Uke: This Uke is essentially just “there” for their partner. No real resistance, no aggression, and they just let themselves be thrown. When working with new students that have enough difficulty getting their own hands and feet straightened out, it’s often best to “be” this type of Uke.
However, this doesn’t mean you get to sleep through the technique. Now is the chance for Uke to practice perfect posture and alignment, and deep, centered breathing without distraction. Don’t let your attention wander – you can still get hurt. I had my knee almost destroyed (literally) in Judo when I got confident and sloppy being a “passive uke” for a beginner student.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Becoming an Uchi Deshi
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=1
Becoming an Uchideshi, or How to Train Seriously in Japan
By Patrick Augé
During the last few years, several of my students have been preparing themselves to experience uchideshi life in Japan, I have also received requests from Aiki News readers who, having read my interview in Aiki News #91, wanted to know more about how to go about becoming an uchideshi. Although, under the guidance of my teachers, I had prepared myself quite seriously for the life that was awaiting me in Japan, I realized that I was able to accept the many unexpected situations I regularly encountered because of my clear goals and my formal education.
The failures of many ill-prepared young people have also convinced me of the necessity of gathering my thoughts in writing. All opinions and advice given here are the result of my on-going experiences and observations. They do not constitute final answers and should be considered as guidelines that can lead the aspiring uchideshi to find their own ways according to their own circumstances. However, due to the conservative nature of the Japanese budo world, much of this advice will apply to anyone. In fact, with the exception of situations arising from actually living with one’s teacher, the uchideshi experience is not so different from that faced by anyone entering into a serious relationship with a Japanese teacher in Japan. I think, however, that the uchideshi experience takes a student one step farther, since the student lives with the teacher. It’s a twenty-four-hour-a-day matter.
Becoming an Uchideshi, or How to Train Seriously in Japan
By Patrick Augé
During the last few years, several of my students have been preparing themselves to experience uchideshi life in Japan, I have also received requests from Aiki News readers who, having read my interview in Aiki News #91, wanted to know more about how to go about becoming an uchideshi. Although, under the guidance of my teachers, I had prepared myself quite seriously for the life that was awaiting me in Japan, I realized that I was able to accept the many unexpected situations I regularly encountered because of my clear goals and my formal education.
The failures of many ill-prepared young people have also convinced me of the necessity of gathering my thoughts in writing. All opinions and advice given here are the result of my on-going experiences and observations. They do not constitute final answers and should be considered as guidelines that can lead the aspiring uchideshi to find their own ways according to their own circumstances. However, due to the conservative nature of the Japanese budo world, much of this advice will apply to anyone. In fact, with the exception of situations arising from actually living with one’s teacher, the uchideshi experience is not so different from that faced by anyone entering into a serious relationship with a Japanese teacher in Japan. I think, however, that the uchideshi experience takes a student one step farther, since the student lives with the teacher. It’s a twenty-four-hour-a-day matter.
Yamada Sensei interview
From Aikido Sangenkai
Q: Who was the Sempai that taught you the most?
A: That would be Kisshomaru Doshu. For that reason my Aikido is extremely basic. Into that I put the best parts of the various Sempai and included them as I could best understand them. However, at that time there was no feeling that one was being taught, you had to steal it.
Q: Steal it?
A: That’s right. While you were being thrown and acting as their partner one would gradually steal their skills and make them your own. You would try the things that you were developing in the student classes. Their age was about the same as ours and they were physically powerful, so it was a good practical exam. (laughing)
...
Q: So, the locks were applied strongly?
A: Nowadays the mainstream is to throw people showily, but at that time it was mostly locking and throwing or pinning techniques – holding them down and pinning them firmly. There wasn’t anybody gently teaching you shikko (膝行) exercises back then. At that time ukemi wasn’t taught, so you would suddenly find yourself thrown onto the wooden floor and somehow you would figure out yourself how to take ukemi roundly.
Q: Who was the Sempai that taught you the most?
A: That would be Kisshomaru Doshu. For that reason my Aikido is extremely basic. Into that I put the best parts of the various Sempai and included them as I could best understand them. However, at that time there was no feeling that one was being taught, you had to steal it.
Q: Steal it?
A: That’s right. While you were being thrown and acting as their partner one would gradually steal their skills and make them your own. You would try the things that you were developing in the student classes. Their age was about the same as ours and they were physically powerful, so it was a good practical exam. (laughing)
...
Q: So, the locks were applied strongly?
A: Nowadays the mainstream is to throw people showily, but at that time it was mostly locking and throwing or pinning techniques – holding them down and pinning them firmly. There wasn’t anybody gently teaching you shikko (膝行) exercises back then. At that time ukemi wasn’t taught, so you would suddenly find yourself thrown onto the wooden floor and somehow you would figure out yourself how to take ukemi roundly.
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