Have you ever suspected there is more to sankyo than twisting a wrist? Is there a principle here which may be applied elsewhere? Find out tonight, Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at the Melwood Art Center Aikido Dojo at 7:00 PM.
There are many reasons to practice Aikido and as one progresses it does one well to be aware of why one practices. Some begin with no more reason than to escape boredom and being desirous of a new adventure. Some want to escape fear by obtaining the knowledge of arcane combat methods. There are many others.
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Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland:
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
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This aimless journey is perfectly acceptable! Especially if one is amused or even (it can happen) learns along the way.
Some get lost on the way. Getting lost on a journey is actually not a bad thing. It exposes one to new opportunities if one is open to them. Fear of the unknown can be a problem however. When people are afraid of the unknown they make up answers to ensure their comfort. Sometimes false gods and religions are the result.
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In Aikido we learn things. We learn techniques of movement in the beginning. As we continue to practice we become (tautology warning) more practiced in the performance of those techniques. From this continued practice and improvement we may learn principles.
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Among those are laws of physics such as gravity, momentum, conservation of energy, angular acceleration. We may also learn about the mind to fight and how to overcome it. We may learn musubi, kokyuho and zanshin. We may learn Takemusu Aiki.
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One enters an Aiki Dojo as an initiate on probation. As one learns and progresses in achieving an understanding of the kihon waza, the basic techniques which are the tools with which one learns Aiki principles one is awarded the mudansha rankings of rokkyu through ikkyu, the white belt ranks, and when the beginning movements can all be demonstrated one is awarded the first black belt rank which signifies one has been accepted as a student.
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Now the real training begins. No longer must one learn more simple natural movements which we call techniques. One must now learn about themselves and the world in which they live. One must begin to understand in greater depth the principles of Aiki movement and how they apply to the real world outside the dojo. One must begin to explore the power not just of the movements but of the concepts of non resistance, of harmony with one’s environment. One must learn how to wield the sword constructively as well as destructively.
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As one makes progress along this road one is awarded Dan rankings, the black belt rankings. These rankings are symbols of one’s understanding. For those who misunderstand or who have given up their quest the symbol becomes the goal. The symbol is a faint shadow of the actual accomplishment of course and becomes like Yogi Bera’s missed hit:
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“I never blame myself when I’m not hitting. I just blame the bat, and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn’t my fault that I’m not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?” Yogi Bera
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If you find yourself at this stage in your training talk to Sensei. I can help. That’s why I’m here. We do not seek the black belt or even the Dan Certificate. We seek that which it represents. If you get that promotion without the understanding it represents it means the instructor who gave it has given up on the student and no longer cares. Blaming the bat for missed hits does not win the game.
Requirements for Yudansha Examination
Aikido has a basic structure, kihon waza, which allows you to study the fundamental principles of the art.
During the examination you are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the art through this very exacting structure of kihon waza, clearly and precisely, not your personal ideas or your personal expression. Yudansha examination is not performance art.
The following points are critical:
• The execution of formal kihon waza, an understanding of its proper application and of the fundamental principles it demonstrates – most importantly kokyu; musubi; irimi tenkan
• Hanmi at all times; before, during, at the conclusion of and following the technique
• Control of your own center; control of your partner’s center; control of the technique
• Application of power appropriate to the attack
• The proper pinning technique to demonstrate the conflict is finished
• Timing
• Zanshin
• Attitude
• Martial Awareness
The requirements above are an absolute minimum for the student who trains 4 to 5 days a week and makes the effort to train directly under Saotome Sensei and Ikeda Sensei at camps and seminars. Promotion is not just a right after a certain amount of time. It is a privilege and must be earned.
A fine Summer evening with good friends, good food and live music at the art center. The dojo had its first Fat Friday open house .
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Notice how Nage here on the left has accepted Uke’s attack and balanced it with his movement. Nage is projecting energy forward while maintaining good posture . He is not resisting Uke’s attack but while allowing the attack he is stealing Uke’s power, dispersing his energy and breaking Uke’s balance. Not a spectacular high flying throw (yet) but this moment captures the essence of Aiki movement. These are advanced Sandan practitioners but one need not be at their level to understand this is what we are training for. At this point in the movement Nage and Uke are functioning as one machine with Nage directing the work. Nage can apply almost any technique from here. Study this one!
Mark Mueller as Nage and Mike Crady as Uke were photographed during a regular practice at Aikido Louisville Aikikai in the Mellwood Arts Center. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments from the above link.
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Our new dojo is ready for keiko. ”What’s that mean?”
Keiko is a process of finding one’s connection to the rest of the world. We use combat techniques to study that connection. Call it extreme meditation. Please bring an open mind and a bokken. Please also leave your shoes and ego at the door. See you at 7:00 pm (if not before)!
Aikido Louisville Aikikai is moving to the Mellwood Arts Center. Instead of going on a long weekends well deserved vacation a number of dojo members volunteered to dismantle the Brownsboro Rd. dojo and begin constructing the new digs on Mellwood Ave. Classes resume Tuesday, June 1st in the new space!
Thanks to everyone who pitched in and got this done. The slideshow below contains a few snapshots from the day’s endeavors:
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Kevin Choate Sensei will be in Louisville this weekend at:
Aikido of Louisville
10119 Production Court
Jeffersontown KY 40299
502 243-9401
Get out and train!
Sensei insists what he does is not magic and if he can do it so can we. I believe him. Really, I do. Soon. Meanwhile here are a few random portraits during keiko. I was too busy training to shoot much but thought you might like to see a few images from DC.
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