A little KNEE time, part 2

In Thursday's class I was able to work again with our same member who is coming back to training after time off due to knee problems.

This class was focused on tsuki and gyaku hanmi katatetori. We didn't need to do much to modify these techniques, and so we took time to explored alternate means of getting up from a throw to ease the impact to sensitive knees.

• Gyaku hanmi katatetori shihonage omote
• as nage, no modifications needed
• as uke
• communicated that nage should keep a comfortable pace, especially when cutting down
• we looked at alternate methods of rising after the throw, including inch worm from plank and pyramid (straight legs spread wide and rising up via arms)
• Gyaku hanmi katatetori shihonage ura - from static, then from motion
• same as above
• Tsuki blending practice via tenkan
• no need to modify this blending exercise, except to keep a safe, comfortable pace, especially due to the pivoting footwork
• Tsuki shihonage ura
• as nage, no modifications needed
• as uke, we skipped the throw at the end of the technique to reduce fatigue on the knees, which were starting to get a little noisy at this point in the class
• Tsuki udekiminage
• as nage, no modifications needed
• as uke, we skipped the forward roll at the end of the technique

We finished class with tsuki kotegaeshi in groups of 3, and my partner worked on the side with sensei, so no comments on how that went at this time.

The topic of rising after a throw or even from being in seiza is a probably the next thing to focus on. Maybe we could try some of the tips on the kick up, offered by the GingerNinja

Tsuki Ikkyo

Like Amanda, I also searched for tsuki ikkyo videos, and had a hard time finding videos that I really liked.  I liked the Tissier one she posted, but came up with this one as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQm2SrJ38XE (just the first person, not once they switch roles).  They still seem to have some of the issue that I saw with most of the videos I encountered, that nage seems to be doing the technique primarily with their arms, rather than using the hips and focusing on maintaining good positioning.  This especially seems to be the case when the technique is being performed quickly or in sudden, jerky movements.  This video seems to be at a steadier pace, with uke providing constant force feedback instead of losing the connection and only moving when nage forces them into an uncomfortable position.  I'd appreciate it if more people posted videos showing the technique done as slowly and deliberately as possible, with constant connection between uke and nage.

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum, Class 8

Class start
  stretches, ukemi practice, striking practice

Instruction
  tsuki blending practice, nage does ushiro blend and traps uke's hand
  ikkyo omote from tsuki, via ushiro blend
  ikkyo ura from tsuki, via ushiro blend
  irimi nage openning from tsuki, via ushiro blend
  irimi nage (full technique now) from tsuki, via ushiro blend
    pause to break down uke's footwork to 3 steps only, followed by a backfall
    back to regular flow of the technique without the ukemi footwork breakdown
  3-person tanto take-away from kotegaeshi
    one uke behind, tanto to nage's back
    one uke in front, tsuki with tanto
  5-person blending practice, similar to a randori, with tenkan from tsuki
  4-person randori with sensei as nage
  Partner stretches

Closing
  circle time for questions and comments
  wet washed the mat

Tsuki ikkyo

I'm trying to find my favorite version of tsuki ikkyo, but it's pretty hard to find any versions online. I like Tissier Sensei's a lot -- he's very precise, and his timing is very good. I suspect that timing is ~99% of this technique. O-Sensei talked about leading the opponent in from the very inception of the attack, and I was looking for someone showing that.

I looked and looked, in summer camp and full class videos, for people doing this technique, and I found that there's actually not a lot of tsuki techniques being recorded. I'm not sure if that's because of the timing requirements, or if it's some other reason, or if I'm just missing something.

Seattle Aikikai Beginners Series class 7

Warmup
Back fall practice
Partner back fall practice
Munetski kotegaishi with tanto
Ushiro tsuki kotegaishi with tanto
Ushiro awareness practice
Bear hug grab from behind

We all need a little KNEE time

On Saturday I had the chance to work with one of our members who is resuming practice after time off due to knee problems.

I have a lot of joint concerns myself, so we worked together on adaptations of the techniques demonstrated that were less painful on damaged knees.

Here's what we came up with (this was a weapons take-away class):

• Gokyo tanto take away from tsuki
• as nage, you can pin from standing instead of going down to the ground.
• as uke, we chose to have nage to do the standing version of rokkyo instead of uke being taken to the ground via gokyo. 
• side benefit: nage gets to practice rokkyo :)

• Kokyuho tanto take away (with choke) from tsuki
• as nage, we chose to LIGHTLY compress the choke while instructing uke to drop the tanto rather than going down to the inside knee. Nage then threw uke into a backfall. 
• as uke, no modification was needed. 

• Kokyuho tanto take way (with arm bar) from tsuki
• as nage, no modification needed.
• as uke, you can skip taking a backfall after dropping the tanto, if needed. 

We improvised most of these as we went, but I'm sure there are lots of tried and true options for modifications that keep the martial effectiveness of these techniques while adapting to knee injuries. 

Comments, if you have them!

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum, Class 6

Warmup
Back falls
Footwork
Connection practice (Katatetori partner practice)
Katatetori sumiotoshi
Katatetodi jodan tenkan practice

How to watch a demonstration of a technique:
1. Watch attack (what kind of attack is it?)
2. Watch feet (are they ai or gyaku?)
3. Watch hands (Same or opposite hands?)
4. Watch movement (entering, or around the outside?)

Tsuki kotegaishi
Tantodori - Tsuki and nage draws back
Tantodori - Tsuki tenkan
Tantodoru: Tsuki kotegaishi

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum, Class 5

Starting class

  Warm ups and stretching, falls
  Footwork

Instruction
  Gyaku hanmi katatetori practice - jodan entry
  Gyaku hanmi katatetori kokyunage (jodan entry) - backfall for uke
  Tsuki blend review

  Tsuki kotegaeshi with tanto

  Gyaku hanmi katatetori kokyunage (chudan blend via kaiten) - forward roll for uke
  Overview of rolling, following

Ending class
  Bow out
  Circle to allow for questions and announcements

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum, Class 4

Stretching
Back fall practice
Tsuki striking practice
Tsuki udekiminage
Tsuki sumi otoshi

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum, Class 3

Starting class
  Warm ups and stretching, with emphasis on our core's relationship to rising from a backfall
  Footwork - kaiten, tenkan, irimi tenkan

Instruction
  overview of uke and nage's roles in a grab vs a strike
  Gyaku hanmi katatetori practice - just offering and grabbing, getting off the line
  Gyaku hanmi katatetori into shikaku angle causing a backfall for uke
  Gyaku hanmi katatetori sumiotoshi
  Ryotetori tenchinage
  Back stretch

Ending class
  Bow out
  Circle to allow for questions and announcements
  Quick demo of the techniques from class to help with vocabulary
  Wet wash the mat

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum, class 2

Introduction
Warm-ups and stretching
Back roll progression and practice, to back roll slapping the mat
Footwork practice
Munetski striking practice
Partner tsuki striking practice
Tai no henko partner practice
Introduction to kotegaishi
Kotegaishe progression to back fall
Tenkan, kaiten, irimi tenkan solo practice
Tenkan, kaiten, irimi tenkan randori practice
Back stretch
Off the mat after class:
Etiquette introduction
Bowing practice

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum

Seattle Aikikai Beginner Series Curriculum

Class 1:	Goals: ·      Introduce students to concepts of aikido ·      Have students have an easy fun first class ·      Teach students basic back falls ·      Teach students to get off the line and to find “shi ka ku” (dead spot) ·      Create scaffolding experiences for success
Activity:	Description:
Students arrive at dojo	Have them fill out registration form, get gi and pay for class. Have deshi show them the dressing rooms, belt tying and go over basic bowing to get on and off the mat. ·      Explain Etiquette and Bowing as a way of paying attention and expressing gratitude.
Bow in/Welcome	Start class with verbal welcome acknowledging beginners before warm-ups. Key themes: ·      We all started aikido as beginners ·      The culture of aikido is about helping beginners/no competition ·      Body literacy. You are learning a new language. Be easy on yourself and just follow along. No one expects you to be fluent in French your first class
Warm-up	Make sure beginners are in front so they can see Give verbal description of correct form and purpose of stretches & breathing (avoid difficult warm-ups/don’t stay sitting in seiza too long) Go over wrist exercises with a senior student/deshi next to each beginner
Ukemi	Basic back roll with slap ·      Tuck chin so head doesn’t hit mat ·      Roll up one side of the spine and back the other ·      Use entire forearm (not wrist) to slap mat
Footwork	Explain basic hamni and foot position for a stable posture. Have students walk forwards and backwards leading with the ball of foot to glide across mat ·      Kaiten (pivot) ·      Tenkan (pivot and step) Have students walk around mat and randomly call out footwork for them to demonstrate
Technique	Learning tsuki (how to punch) ·      Walking across the mat w/partner ·      Getting off the line of tsuki (tenkan) ·      Getting off the line of tsuki randori (3 ukes) ·      Kokyunage, taking uke’s balance into back fall Demo actual Tsuki Randori w/ techniques (Pat)
Closing Circle	Congratulate beginners on first class Reiterate names of things we covered in class Go around circle and say names
Tour of Dojo/Intro Talk	Walk around dojo and explain things Weapons (relationship to aikido) Shomen (calligraphy, picture,  rotating flower arrangement) History & purpose of aikido ·      Developed by O’Sensei in the 1940’s ·      “The Way of Harmony” ·      Spiritual foundation in resolving conflict Rank Board (progression from Kyu to Dan) ·      Non-competitive. A path to work on one’s self Han (zen group/practice) Cleaning Supplies ·      Why we clean the dojo after every class ·      Paying attention First Aid ·      When and how to get off the mat/safety Kitchen/ water cups (make cup for each beginner)
Reading homework	Beginner Guidelines

The Way of the Warrior: The Samurai Way

'The Way of the Warrior' was a documentary shot by the BBC which aired in the 80s. The last part of the series was called: 'The Samurai Way'. It was never to be released on DVD and has become rare collectors footage for martial artists all over the world.

Kitsap Aikido's 20th Anniversary seminar with Ray Farinato Shihan

On October 11th, Kitsap Aikido will have its 20th Anniversary seminar with Ray Farinato Shihan. We are coordinating a dojo roadtrip to attend this event out on the peninsula. Please talk to Pat Roux if you are interested in joining. It's a great chance to add a dose of that seminar feeling into your practice!

Sign up here! Also talk to Pat about logistics.

"I am never happier than when I'm practicing on our own mat, and I owe much of that to what I've learned traveling to seminars over the years. Training with dozens of new people, feeling the squish of different tatami, and trying new twists on familiar techniques are all part of the beauty that is an Aikido seminar. The best part is to come home and practice again, feeling the breadth of that seminar within you." — Pat Roux, Soto Deshi

Iriminage!

Just standing

1. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
2. Just stand still.
3. Answer the question: Is your foot a triangle or a square?

Plus, fog is just cooler than rain

A perfect quote for our practice from "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind"

After you have been practicing for a while, you will realize that it is not possible to make rapid, extraordinary progress. Even though you try very hard, the progress you make is always little by little. It is not like going out in a shower in which you know when you get wet. In a fog, you do not know you are getting wet, but as you keep walking you get wet little by little. If your mind has ideas of progress, you may say, "Oh, this pace is terrible!" But actually it is not. When you get wet in a fog, it is very difficult to dry yourself. So there is no need to worry about progress. It is like studying a foreign language; you cannot do it all of a sudden, but by repeating it over and over you will master it. This is the Soto way of practice. We can say either we make progress little by little, or that we do not even expect to make progress. Just to be sincere and make our full effort in each moment is enough. 

--Shunryu Suzuki