Center for Aikido Study - Joshinkan Dojo

IWAMA TAKEMUSU AIKIDO - MORIHIRO SAITO - SHIHONAGE Previously unreleased footage.This video was filmed in Porto Reca...

When practicing Kokyudosa, remember that, like standing technique, the energy comes from below. Visually, we observe the arms taking action, energy may be seen as coming from the shoulders, going forward through uke. We may imitate this for a time, bracing to move from the upper body.

As we become familiar, more relaxed, and breathe as we move, we can notice an allowing sensation coming from below, a down to up. The ‘kokyuing’ action, as expressed through the ‘sword hand’ or ‘tegatana ’, can be seen to demonstrate this upward movement.

Integrate the arms and body so they move as one unit. The energy in the arms drop, weight placed on the underside, connecting to the center while the center itself has its own ‘dropped’ sensation.
The lowered center rises, as our dropped elbows extend through the expressing kokyuing hand. We raise uke’s elbows and center, fully disrupting his structure.
Use the breath to assist, an inhale then an exhale, an in and then an out.
The conscious student can further refine using this breath, creating a yin/yang sensation.

Keep practicing.

G.Breeland, 6th dan

A super fun first day of our anniversary seminar with a couple special guests! Still time to join us for Sunday's class from 10-1!

It’s this coming weekend!

Come out to help us celebrate FORTY years of Triangle Aikido and THIRTY years of Seibukan Aikido! It's going to be a great weekend!

Come out to help us celebrate FORTY years of Triangle Aikido and THIRTY years of Seibukan Aikido! It's going to be a great weekend!

Note that practicing 'kata' or 'form' in the dojo is not the same as practicing 'applied' technique.
Practicing involves learning in context.

The dojo provides a controlled environment.
Kata helps us gain an understanding, it is more than just copying.
It helps us control the reflexive and the reactive.
There is an established choreography.
There is cooperation and collaboration.

Before 'improvising' we practice the 'scales', the 'physical theory' of our discipline.
We learn concepts and principles, the cognitive representations that restrict our movements, thereby changing our intentional action.
Study to become fluent in foundational elements before tackling more advanced concepts.

Our nervous system is conditioned to react not respond, so the counterintuitive body management involved in aikido requires repeated experiential practice.
We practice kata, repetition after repetition, to slowly retrain the nervous system.
Remember that simply 'knowing' is not enough, wisdom is only
acquired through experience.

Begin with kata, the form.
Progress into adding resistance appropriate for nage's
level.
Eventually, advanced students can agree to 'pressure train' into
applied technique (which may not look like kata at all).
That is the general progression.

Kata offers a toolbox to resource movement.
We break up parts, observing detail in every part of the form.
Learning is layered, so beware not to dismiss basics too quickly.

Master foundational knowledge to represent embodied traditional technique before 'releasing the form' into what is considered 'applied'.

G. Breeland 6th dan

Daniel wanted to celebrate his 41st birthday with a breakfall for each year (this was his idea). Happy birthday and congratulations, you survived both. 😬