Sensei asked me to take over this class so I came fully prepared, but at the last minute a sandan turned up so I asked her to teach instead. It would have been a bit odd the other way around! During my class preparations I noticed that one of the attacks which I didn't feel to confident about was yokomen and, lo and behold, this was the technique she chose to work with during the entire class!
Notes:
- try to keep correct ma'ai, not to lose uke
- don't forget to go into elbow uke to take center, if atemi alone not sufficient
- difference between ura/omote: go in deeper
- try to end up @ exactly 45 degrees for omote
- Tissier variation for ikkyo: all feet on one line, simply slide out back foot
- when progressing from static (stopping) to dynamic (cutting) visualizing circles helps |
Ouch. My muscles aren't too happy about last night's class - that was HARD work. First hour we worked with 'resisting' uke, trying to move him anyhows without starting to use force. Techniques were shiho nage, irimi nage, kote gaeshi, kokyu ho. For me to be able to move a big guy resisting me it meant having to go low, way lower than is comfortable. Hence the complaining muscles. But it does work - whenever I remember to drop FIRST and then move. Moving straight into resistance is useless, no chance.
Second hour we worked with assorted punches, trying to stay straight and not dodge incoming attack. We did both straight punches and hooks. Punches: stop at shoulder, thus creating a 'pause' during which you can proceed to technique (e.g. shiho nage, kote gaeshi). Don't look at hands, feel. We also worked on gently diverting the punches, caressing rather than hitting. Hooks: first blocking in elbow, then using uke's elbow as reference point for technique (e.g. ikkyo or irimi nage). Theoretically, third stage should have been using own elbow as focus but I didn't quite get there.
Things to work on:
- do NOT forget about 'elbow point' (which happens when I rush through technique)
- stop refusing to take ukemi; if afraid to breakfall just go backwards
- use extension when blocking blows
- work lower than comfort zone |
Small class with heavy work. Attack always same, gyaku hanmi dynamic (going into elbow to take over uke's centre). Main focus was on keeping constant pressure, very difficult. Kept disconnecting, esp. when taking over with hands etc. (e.g. in ikkyo). Tendency to start using muscles and try to hard. Getting frustrated. We worked on ikkyo, kote gaeshi and irimi nage in this way. At the end of class did tachi waza kokyu nage using same approach. That worked a lot better, was able to connect. But then there's not a lot of moving about in that...
Sensei also talked about difference between what he called ken-jutsu and tai-jutsu. Because of different ma'ai they need different approach; first one looking with eyes, second one with belly; feeling, because no space to look. We tried to practice switching between the two with uke approaching from a greater distance, but incredibly difficult.
Training partner reminded me that I shouldn't keep attacking mindlessly, but take time after each attack to reconnect and start from the right place rather than turning into an aikirobot. Sensei reminded me that when taking ukemi from kote gaeshi I should NOT look where I'm going, but simply stay in the hand and feel, and ukemi will be a breeze.
More stuff to work on:
- don't go up again, esp. in irimi nage, stay low.
- constant pressure does NOT mean pushing hard
- STAY STRAIGHT even when going down |
A summary of things I need to work on in general:
- stand low, straight head/upper body, maintain same height (no bobbing up and down)
- feel partner through hands (starting with little finger) & centre
- focus on tai sabaki/hips
- strong, dedicated grip (thumb/little finger)/attack, not initiated with eyes but with hips
- move, move, move!!!
- if something doesn't work, SLOW DOWN
- no staring, no getting involved in partner, simply work on axes
- less is more; no trying to push/pull my way through technique
- use 'pumping' function of legs
- don't let yourself be pushed back; don't walk into attack either
- reduce all attacks to ai/gyaku hanmi form
- no dreaming, be present and aware
- finish techniques properly |
Our most advanced class (apart from yudansha training which of course I can't attend) is the Monday evening one. Two hours, lots of intimidating many-dans, mainly big bulky men. Very intensive training, lots of stress, 'aggressive' attacks like tsuki, shomen uchi, etc. Heavy work and extremely frustrating because of the high level. Most of the things I can't even begin to get right, most of the people I can't even get close to moving. This class so freaks me out that I usually very cowardly try to avoid it or, if I go, stay only for the first hour. Pretty nuts, because all the experience on the mat means I can learn loads even if it looks like I'm only getting everything wrong, so last night I decided to go and stay it out. And I did it! I even trained with the tallest, most intimidating sandan...(and got to demonstate how I couldn't move him in front of class).
Hard to give a summary of this class because the stuff we worked on was so advanced that I didn't get half of it. Main thing I need to remember is that I had a great time because I managed to stay sort of calm throughout, simply tried to do my thing and not get frustrated it didn't work. Of course ikkyo direct (kind of 'through'uke) didn't work when I tried it on the sandan. But sensei helped out and showed how I could at least adjust technique so it could work on my level. Still get very nervous and jumpy when people try to hit my head, basically want to duck and run, but was helped greatly by many yudansha who simply decided to take it slow and thus gave me a chance to try and figure out the technique and not get stuck in fear. We did techniques from jodan tsuki (kaiten nage, irimi nage, ikkyo), shomen uchi (again ikkyo, irimi nage), gyaku hanmi (ikkyo and irimi nage...moving uke straightaway) and lots of kokyu nages. In both ikkyo and irimi nage worked on going directly 'into' the right spot (elbow/shoulder). Focus was on working slowly and engaging hips/belly rather than rushing things. Great class, I didn't die, in fact, had a lot of fun. Will be there again next week for sure. |
| » Sumo/geisha class |
|---|
Great mixed class (mainly beginners) tonight. Started with tenkan-initiated techniques such as ikkyo, irimi nage and (uchi) kaiten nage. Then soto kaiten nage - must go lower, touch the ground, very tempting to get sloppy in this one. Had a lot of trouble with one beginner who kept bobbing up and down, very hard to keep him steady, tried to go slower & be more precise in my technique which helped. Then we did nikkyo - with slap and punch, the 'ladder' way, where the other hand moves in naturally as you turn your body. Got hit on the jaw instead and wasn't too pleased. Yonkyo next, I got to be demo uke for this one of course :-). I can never do yonkyo properly, even if I get the movement right I never manage to touch the right nerve, but tonight I FINALLY HURT SOMEONE!!! And it was a pretty big guy. Yeah! Am getting the hang of the hand switching and the hand basically 'falling' into uke's lower arm, as if it were a sword. Nice.
After all that pain it was time for some fun. We did kokyu nage's as a sumo wrestler (hitting the belly, later also lifting one leg and stomping about), dropping hand straight to the floor, moving as a geisha (very light and gracefully) and as if praying and bowing. Dessert was kokyu ho, again, both heavy and light. I got to experience sensei's weight there as he simply moved over me as a bulldozer. Wow. Very fun class indeed, and managed to stay pretty calm throughout, trying to work on posture etc.
Main corrections: stand lower, keep head straight and don't slouch, don't get involved in partner
Jan. 25th, 2005 @ 10:10 pm
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| » Emptiness and blending before X-mas |
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When a couple of other (semi-)adults and I showed up for the kid's class (with only 1 kid) yesterday sensei had a surprise: a beautiful X-mas tree suspended from the roof right in the middle of the dojo. Awesome!
Got to work with the little one a lot (about one 3rd of my height) and sensei showed me how I did not need to go down on my knees for shiho nage (move from shoulder to shoulder). Also pointed out that I shouldn't be too careful, rather just get physical and be very clear about movement, don't try to explain anything, just make him go through the right movements by guiding him along. He explained later that if you don't do that all he'll do is copy your own awkward, fuzzy behaviour and in a year or so that will be what's set in his system.
After a while sensei turned on the music used in yoga classes and we did funky things like some sort fireman's hold (arm in between legs & then lift so person is over your shoulder) which was fun.
Then worked on ikkyo from tsuki on flat open hand, taking the power and going with it. Was blocking at first but later on managed to go with it, which felt good.
Afterwards I finally managed to pluck up enough courage after two months of hesitation to ask sensei if I could come to The Hague with him, where he teaches an evening class once a week. He said yes, so that was my first X-mas present this year. :-) Class started with sword, which I never train, so felt bad for my partner but she was nice enough and tried to explain the basics. After that great class, very concentrated and energetic, good group of people to work with, very focused. Main theme was blending, mainly with shomen uchi. First I was again getting stressed out, blocking or hurrying, but once I managed to slow down and move in the right direction it became obvious how much time you actually have. Nice that. Also noticed how soft you can work when you're 'in there'. At te end of the class got called up to take ukemi and of course he tried to take the mickey, but in a nice friendly sort of way. Left with a very content and warm feeling, and went on to cafe to get even warmer with a couple of beers.
Last class before X-mas this morning. Nice set of people, and we got to work on more 'inner' principles. Working with what he calls 'letting a silence fall', creating a sort of emptiness inside the technique and then proceed from there. Several ways of doing this: light slap, grabbing & having emptiness inside hand, or simply not being there when fist arrives. Worked on this with sankyu, ikkyo, kote gaeshi, irimi nage. Very concentrated work, and so strange as uke, you feel so stupid when your attack is totally, well, obliterated like that. Obliterated by emptiness, that's the only way I can describe it. Very special, if I can learn to do that one day...
Now it's a break until next Monday when Winter School starts. Good for my body which feels pretty worn out after the intense schedule of the past two weeks (and all that beer didn't help either). Looking back, I am actually quite content. I managed to learn from my exam experience and my attitude on the mat has improved a great deal, as has my focus. I know what I need to do and I'm doing it - what more can I ask for?
Dec. 23rd, 2004 @ 05:15 pm
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| » Nikyu |
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Disastrous 2nd kyu exam last Friday. Learnt a lot there. Self-respect, making choices and standing by them. Spent half an hour crying in the changing room. Managed to get myself together and back on the mat for a good class afterwards.
Here's a summary of classes since.
Saturday:
Soto kaiten: big, broad movement; don't forget other arm.
Ukemi when doing qyaku hanmi with irimi tenkan: stay with arm, don't 'forget' about it.
Attack straight, hips straight, don't turn your body away. Stay with it, don't dream.
Sunday:
Had run-in with shodan who tried to force me to breakfall. I explained that this was only making my fear, stiffness etc. worse and asked him not to do it again. He said ok, then after a couple of turns he tried again, I fell pretty badly and I just exploded, said 'I just asked you NOT to do that' and stormed off the mat. He apologized afterwards, said it was disrespectful and stupid and that he'll never do it again. No problem. Felt really good getting angry and getting everything out of my system and even resolved with him in this way.
Sensei focused on using strength from hind leg and not moving back foot when finishing throw, e.g. in irimi nage, shiho nage, kote gaeshi, etc. Very hard to keep foot still and not shuffle!
Monday:
Focus on tai sabaki: moving feet together then apart again to create sort of pump function. Applied this to loads of different techniques: ikkyo, irimi nage, etc. etc.
Tuesday am:
Ukemi for sankyo: stay with centre, move with big steps rather than small ones. Tori: don't look down, esp during 2nd part of technique.
Tuesday evening:
Sensei very angry with me for not remembering Monday's lesson. Big speech on what senior's attitude should be. Again working on Monday's tai sabaki. During kokyu ho (tachi waza): focus on emptying hand before moving (try to disconnect hand to test whether correct). I tried to keep proper attitude (not talking, working with concentration) all throughout class and was pretty content at end of class. Still way too timid during nikyo and too involved with partners. Later on got shown by sensei what other ways (more advanced ways) of doing nikyo are and what these can do to a partner (e.g. cutting straight through you, directly to floor, etc.). Very good, I am happy that he is getting more physical again (very much prefer physical lessons to verbal ones - no time for mind to get in the way).
At the end, speech about how special aikido is, that it's not just something you do. Really touched me, I love aikido, it's given me so much and during the past couple of months I was forgetting that love and enjoyment and turning it into some kind of chore. Tonight I was able to start putting my heart back into it, which was great.
Dec. 21st, 2004 @ 09:54 pm
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| » Teacher training |
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I've been helping out with a couple of classes these past two weeks. First time teaching on the mat, was very reluctant at first but turns out that I love it. Especially last night's class, where 12 adult beginners managed to remind me of all the mistakes I make in my own training. I actually got so much out of it that was more as if they were being my teacher instead...Getting frustrated with your partner and beginning to pull and drag, not staying upright, being too way too high, uncentered, etc. - they do it all and so do I. That, and having the exquisite pleasure of helping someone with a technique and seeing something click...awesome.
Today I got to help out with the little ones (6-10) which was a lot harder. I find it difficult to judge how much they can handle (I think I'm way too careful with them, especially when I see how my sensei handles them) and how much 'instruction' they can digest with their relatively short attention span. There are real mini-wars going on there - some of them seem a lot meaner than the average adult. And some of them are perfect little angels (yes, really). Doing shiho nage with them was fun esp - had to get way way way down towards the mat, very trying for those leg muscles.
I still think my sensei is pretty nuts to put me in front of a class, but now I do hope I will get more opportunities to teach as time and my aikido level progress...
Dec. 1st, 2004 @ 10:39 pm
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| » Some of this week's classes |
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Focus on tai sabaki last Tuesday - esp. being more exact and working with axes. Hard - my feet obviously do not want to go where they should go!
This morning two handed attack with the thumbs-up thumbs-down tenkan opening after which various techniques; ikkyo, sankyo, shiho nage, irimi nage. Got confused and unfocused, got better when sensei started to get annoyed with me somehow. Sankyo still difficult. I somehow seem to be convinced that I can't do it so I don't even try it! Am also afraid to cut straight down and hurt people...
Sep. 16th, 2004 @ 05:07 pm
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| » Sankyu |
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Just catching up on backlog - something which should not go unrecorded is that I passed my sankyu exam on the 24th of May, and that sensei told me I can now wear a hakama (which apparently isn't a foregone conclusion after sankyu). Again, surprise grading, just after sensei thrashed me around the dojo in the one of the strongest kaiten nages I have ever encountered. Was very nervous, but went ok even though it can't have been much fun for the sandan who got to be my uke. He took his revenge two days ago (in a nice way!) during the Ikeda stage by giving me, let's say, something to chew on during irimi nage. He put so much power into me I turned purple and spent at least 15 mins recovering!
Wearing a hakama means I lose all ability to pretend that I am a total beginner. Can't hide behind that anymore. Also, I get to attend the advanced classes from now on which, even though it is intimidating, very fast-paced and exhausting, also is a lot of fun (more rolling, finally!!!). On the other hand, it makes me feel like I should know what I'm doing which is not the kind of pressure someone like me needs. But I get good support in my 'hara' section now in return from the hakama, so that does compensate a bit ;-).
First advanced class I attended sensei took me in front of the class, told everyone I was wearing a hakama for the first time and they clapped their hands and were really nice. I guess it means a lot in my dojo, it is kind of a rite of passage, since so many people have been coming up to me to congratulate me on my hakama! Very nice...Now let's hope I'll learn to wear it properly and that my feet won't get stuck in it as often as yesterday.
Jun. 6th, 2004 @ 07:54 pm
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| » Ikeda Seminar |
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Hiroshi Ikeda graced our dojo with a visit this weekend, which was awesome. Some notes from his classes:
- turn cannonball into baseball
- work with spirals
- 'swing' with your hips (as e.g. in golf); power is in hips not arms
- adapt technique to (size of) partner, attack, etc.
- do not 'offer' your hand to partner in e.g. ai hanmi - decide yourself when he is going to get it
- never let partner grab hand too low, stay in power centre
- be like water
Didn't train during 4th class because my body too sore from earlier classes. There was one yudansha who decided that even though sensei said 'do technique soft' decided to do it the hard way. As a result not only are my lower arms covered in bruises but also do my shoulder and elbow joints hurt like hell. That's someone whom I'll definitely avoid on the mat from now on - jeez! What was he trying to prove?
Apart from that had a great time, classes being taught by own sensei were great too and I'm slowly beginning to get used to the hakama. A nice teacher from Eindhoven even showed me how to tie a better knot in front so that the ends don't go flying into my face when I do ushiro ukemi. My ability to enjoy a seminar is still limited by my fears (training with people I don't know, nervous about getting things right, etc.), but hopefully this will get better eventually too and I'll be able to relax and enjoy more. Ikeda surely was a shining example when it came to being relaxed!
Jun. 6th, 2004 @ 07:38 pm
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| » post-concussion joy |
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No time to journal for ages but having a concussion was in a way quite useful in my training, maybe more about that later. Last Thursday I declared myself completely cured, rolled again etc. and felt fine, woo hoo!.
Just wanted to note down some stuff re today's class since sensei said he's going to work on this stuff for the coming month and isn't going to keep reminding us.
We worked on moving the hips (MOVING THE HIPS!!!) and 'keeping up the pressure' as uke. The techniques we used to practice this were yokomen/gyaku hanmi ikkyo, shiho nage and irimi nage, with tori basically cutting uke's line and thus forcing him to move and making room for the technique.
General remarks: keep extension and focus at all times. Don't shuffle about first, trying to find your centre or whatever. Whether uke or tori, BE THERE at the first instant. Whoom. No room for insecurity/shyness/hesitation/whatever. As uke: don't try to throw hand between you and opponent even though cut is coming - this will open you to attack from leg. Keep hand low but alert and extended. Keep focus on opponent, don't waver, don't dream.
As tori: go IN with the hip, rather than back. Even though it seems counterintuitive, you have to go in and cut and then uke will have to move. If you go back, you just drag, useless.
Take your time, don't rush through technique, waste of time. Do it right.
Ikkyo: as uke: keep up pressure ALL THE WAY THROUGH, thus allowing your hips to be moved almost automatically
Shiho nage: don't stop, don't lose focus halfway through
Irimi nage: again, go IN - almost a pivot on front foot, this brings you into the right position to bring uke down and control him
W.r.t. the yokomen attack (and receiving it): keep extension at all times. I get too slack towards the 'finish' of my strike which causes great pain (a lot more to me than the person I'm attacking) and I'm destroying my lower arm this way. Work from little finger. Again, keep focus.
All in all, great class. And also some good news: there will be a class on Ascension Day, YES!
May. 18th, 2004 @ 03:42 pm
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| » Pretty intense class |
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What should have been a beginner’s class had an awful lot of advanced students….lowest grades on the mat were a couple of yonkyus (including me). Great, it meant I really had to work hard, both physically and mentally! Same class last week was big disappointment with me being the most advanced student there, lots of total newbies and hardly any real ‘work’…so nice to be surprised like this when I wasn’t expecting much.
I told sensei I’m having trouble with my knees a couple of days ago and now he keeps checking my tai sabaki and posture, which really helps. I also started to do leg strengthening exercises, am surprised I need those despite all the classes I attend, but I really do. My legs are too ‘lazy’ in class; I have to make them work harder. He also told me to get up ‘properly’ after rolling, using legs only, to keep working them. And, of course, stay as low as possible. Also have to watch direction of toes, sometimes my feet are turned out the wrong way, which puts extra pressure on the knees.
Ok, so much for the knee talk, what did we actually work on:
- moving independently from uke (e.g. in shiho nage, irimi nage)
- moving into the spot where you are controlling uke and thus have as much time as you need to do the technique
Senior pointed out to me that when doing tenkan I should look at opposite wall, rather than nage, which really helps positioning (and stops me staring at incoming fist). Sensei pointed out that as uke I should at least be as low as tori, preferably LOWER. In irimi nage, stay low, take big steps, no geisha walk!
Stuff I need to work on:
- not stopping half way through the technique (whether it’s because I’m so surprised that it actually works, or am afraid to hurt someone, or whatever)
- be more ruthless in executing the technique
- stop staring at uke
- tai sabaki need to be wider, more accurate and quicker
- kaiten nage: uke attacks nage (quoting sensei: ‘Try to grab his balls! That’s the fun part!’) and therefore gets thrown
At the end of the class I kind of got into the swing of things and had a great time doing kokyu’s – really managed to get timing right and move ‘with’ partner, which meant I hardly had to touch him. Cool!!! Am still unhappy about my ‘level’ as uke, my rolling is cool (was especially soft when demonstrating kaiten nage, nice) even though I still have the tendency to ‘stop’, but that seems to be improving. But my moving about, e.g. in irimi nage or with nikkyo, is still pretty pathetic. Too high, too slow…not responsive enough, not trying to regain centre. As usual, lots of stuff to work on.
Apr. 27th, 2004 @ 11:04 am
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| » (almost) solo class - Tues 20 |
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Just sensei and me at first, then mukyu turned up. Phew! I tend to get very very nervous when working with sensei on my own. Get all these performance issues, coupled with a lot of frustration and anger. Anyway, with another person there is was a great class. He's a big, strong, compact guy. Very difficult to move. Legs, legs, legs. Had pain in arms/shoulders again, it's abated slightly but still quite bad. Sensei says my anger has now moved up to my shoulders (is on the way to my head apparently!) but then proceeded to loosen them with some very intense shiatsu. I then focused on trying to work completely relaxed shoulders, forget about arms/hands, just legs. Difficult.
Got a bit paranoid about the fact that he's not correcting me as much as usual. He noticed my worry and said it's because I'm improving. Duh. Guess so, even though I have no idea in what way. Mukyu was very nice, asked me whether I had done judo before, said my rolling was [quote] so beautiful and professional looking [unquote].Double duh! Guess it's all a matter of perspective...
I told sensei that part of me still is very angry with him but that there's also a part which thinks he’s great. And that he shouldn’t take it too personally (after which he remarked that this was impossible since he was the only other person in the room...
Techniques: we did ikkyo omote/ura, nikkyo (drop drop drop into centre!), irimi nage, gyaku hanmi ikkyo with atemi (where I started to go too fast, running away again), have to move more especially in ura, shiho nage (omote: FORGET ABOUT HANDS), kokyu nage.
Apr. 21st, 2004 @ 07:13 pm
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| » Zucco Seminar |
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Extremely long 'warm up', more than an hour, working on basics like breathing, posture, etc. I especially liked the way he teaches the 'rowing' exercise, working with partner, getting really hot and energized simply through breathing. Difficult to look partner into the eyes but, as he pointed out, a good check to see whether you are taking yourself/aikido seriously. That was his main point really, you have to BELIEVE in what you're doing, like a child.
We then practiced tai sabaki, same thing, don't just 'step', use the two contact points on tatami (your feet are like 'suckers') and work with breathing, then move freely with your spine as a very straight axis.
Same came back during techniques: we did mainly yokomen, first practiced the attack which, he emphasized, was mainly a legs/hips movement and arm is only minor part of the attack, first get footwork right. Practised yokomen as 'defense' against tsuki. Then yokomen irimi nage, kote gaeshi (first ai hanmi, then yokomen) and finishing off with yokomen shiho nage. Not a very 'strenuous' seminar physically, and way too short (even at almost 2.5 hours) but there's more to come today and the rest of the week...
Apr. 14th, 2004 @ 09:02 am
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| » Lunchtime class |
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Decided to try running away from work to catch a lunchtime class. Succeeded, only to find a bunch of people waiting outside the dojo - no key, no teacher. Turns out sensei is in Paris, assistant teacher has no key. Much unhappiness was felt by all, until a bright aikidobabe (yes, that would be me) suggested we phone the yogateacher whose name was printed on the door and lo and behold, she came and opened the dojo for us and there was at least 45 minutes of training left for me to enjoy!
I love working with this teacher, he's rough and funny and he shows you where all your openings are (ribs, head, etc.). And he always does really interesting (albeit rather complicated) techniques. So we did a variation on kaiten nage (starting with tenkan), ikkyo-becomes shiho nage-oh no not really - becomes irimi nage, a sankyo nage (where tori kneels down to throw uke over his shoulder), yokomen irimi nage. FUN!
And the best thing was that I just felt so INCREDIBLY HAPPY to be back in the dojo again! I could have kissed the tatami, really...Why on earth do I love this aikido stuff so much?
Apr. 13th, 2004 @ 03:56 pm
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| » More backlog |
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Wish I could post more regularly, but here is an attempt at reconstruction...
April 1st 10 am
Pretty exhausting class. Hard work, kept trying to force my way through techniques, but the good thing 'bout working with advanced people is that you just cannot get away with it. Still felt pretty good about self and aikido!
April 1st 6 pm
Still in the 'happy, floating' aikido mood. Am enjoying class, not getting frustrated, even though I still make many mistakes - it's not a problem, I'm learning and I'm loving the process.
April 1st 8.15 pm - old dojo II
Third class in one day...there was exam training in one of my old dojo's, and I didn't feel tired enough yet so I decided to go along. Bad thinking...maybe my body wasn't tired, but my brain certainly was. Am beginning to feel that maybe I don't fit into another 'system' any more, or maybe it was just tiredness, but everything people did HURT so much, I had to constantly ask them to not be so harsh on my joints/wrists/etc. which I have never ever had to do in my current dojo. Will just stick to my two classes a day I think from now on.
April 2nd 6 pm
Skipped morning class - body too exhausted from yesterday's aikimarathon. But halfway through the day started getting keener and keener on class...Evening lesson great again, a lot of fun, and sensei asked me to come to a seminar with him the day after - cool!
April 3rd seminar with AFN in Utrecht
Turns out I'm going to this seminar as a sort of beginner's demo uke - so my sensei can show typical beginner's mistakes etc. Sigh. There goes my pride. ;-) To demonstrate how to do it right he brought two sandans!!! Oh well, am still happy to be invited, a whole day of aikido and a chance to learn something new... :-)
1st class - Piet Lagerwaard
This sensei focused on lightness in hands, not wrestling, feeling where uke's weak point is...'flotsam/buoyancy feeling'. The people in this dojo are all very nice, albeit a bit 'soft', but maybe that is just their style...
2nd class - John Goverts
Bokken class...didn't really get this, it's SO different from what I know from jodo. It all seems rather silly, especially the way it's executed. Did get some good corrections from teacher on my technique though: really lift bokken over head and then cut down, not next to ears.
3rd class - Wilko Vriesman
Wilko sensei focused on what he always calls the 'pump', the 'whoosh – wish' thing. Building up, then letting go (e.g. when punching, but also when executing techniques).
When punching: first HIP, then fist
Couple of upset and angry ladies in the changing rooms after his class - I guess he is a bit unorthodox, but this was pretty amazing...
April 4th 6pm
I always love the Sunday night classes, the people who attend are so great to work with!!!
Focus of class: keep feeling in hands, try to get into flow, when/if you get stuck go back to feeling hands.
Nikkyo: EXHALE!!!
Jo: loose, light grip; alternate light/heavy/light action
Shomen uchi: go all the way (don't stop at head); we practised this by hitting a sort of V-shaped block uke made above his forehead
April 5th 7.30 am
Great turnout for e.m. class: 6 people, 2 hakamas!
We worked on 'spring'-feeling, let yourself be 'pushed in' a bit, then go straight back in same line
Attack with hip/body, make uke go through the whole dojo
Be light!!
Ikkyo: at first very light, then grip and straight down
When rolling: always PROTECT YOURSELF so when the hand comes your way MOVE
Don't try to go THROUGH partner
Be light and elusive in your hand as tori (like sensei - there is no way you can get hold of him if he doesn't want you to; it's like a slippery snake!)
April 5th 6 pm
Aiki-happy feeling gone. Total crisis. Still chickened out of breakfall (he calls me yellow but keeps trying to get me to do it, thank god). So frustrating, wanted to break down and cry again. Tried to do backwards roll out of kotegaeshi but of course he wouldn't have it. He was SO STRICT it was incredible, total hell, was just about ready to kill him.
W.r.t. techniques: we did everything from yokomen uchi attack: shiho nage, irimi nage, kokyu nage, kote gaeshi, ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo...
April 5th 8 pm - old dojo
Why do I even bother going to these classes? I fall back into old mistakes, bad posture, etc. and I am constantly worried about injuring myself, everything hurts, so many beginners who really try to break your arm, too many people on the mat, and only irritation from sensei. Nice to see my old dojomates again, but this was definitely my last visit. Will just have to find other ways to see them...am not even sure I want to go to the seminar next week with Zucco sensei.
April 7th - 5pm
Yay! Two other grownups for the kids/adults mixed class...usually it's only me which means I feel like I hardly train at all. Much better this way!
April 8th - 10 am
Katadori shomen uchi techniques THE WHOLE CLASS. Yikes. Very difficult. Didn't get too frustrated though - these just ARE difficult techniques and I don't expect to be able to get the right the first time I try. We did ikkyo, nikyo, kote gaeshi, shiho nage, sankyo. It's funny - you have to do tenkan in exactly the other direction than the one you think. But once you get that, it's ok. Sensei was trying to get us to move, even under 'difficult circumstances', and not get obsessed with hands etc. He also commented that at around san/yonkyu these are in the syllabus so you should be able to do them. Cheers.
Important technical thing: when attacking, don't just grab shoulder but try to pull towards you so you can apply an even better blow to the head of tori.
April 8th - 6 pm
Beginner's class so no more katadori men uchi! Lots of punching work, still find it very hard to get out of the way, I just stand and stare at the fist. Not good.
April 9th - 7.30 am
Four people turned up for morning class but no sensei. I phoned him and woke him up, he got there pretty quick (considering) but not such an inspiring lesson. I was feeling very 'bad': lazy, sloppy aikido. I know I was being lousy but I just couldn't even make an effort to change it. It's so weird when I get that way and just can't snap out of it! I love aikido, and it hurts to be so sloppy. Don't get it, but hopefully it will pass. Or maybe I just need to get my butt kicked.
Apr. 12th, 2004 @ 06:33 pm
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| » Shiho nage breakfall (9 April) |
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Long lecture from sensei last Friday re talking on the mat. He doesn't like it when we 'bond' with people or simply chat, even outside the mat, let alone ON the tatami. Moving away from feeling, back into thinking/dreaming/fear, whatever. I can see what he's getting at, but it's hard. I love talking to people!!! And he himself talks SO MUCH!!! It just got worse and worse...it started with a simple 'shut up and train' speech, but then it got more 'general'. Basically, he said, you either decide to move away from 'thinking' aikido, and you can advance, or you stay there and you never get out of beginner's class. Ok. Jeez. Point taken. Even though I fear I may very well one of those who...oh well, never mind. Let's at least try first before I start with all the doom scenarios.
We did lots of throwing afterward though which was good, and a couple of us got to train with the advanced class for 30 mins which was nice too. Still, I got angrier and angrier with him, he was very strict with me and it got worse when he started blaming me whenever my training partner was talking. It's funny how I can really hate him on the mat but still love him afterward, and be grateful for the lesson.
technical notes:
Nikyo: keep hands low (not higher than hips)
Preparing for shiho nage breakfall...
- move with tori (don't wait for pain!!!)
- don't lose connection
- when tori is about to throw you: push away from shoulder
- keep looking at tori
Preparing for 'normal' breakfall...
- don't stop the movement
- keep feeling
- don't look at the hand, feel
- don't THINK
This way it's incredibly easy, I managed to do it once and was so astonished at how simple it was I couldn't repeat it unfortunately. Have to really learn to suspend my disbelief on the mat!
Oh, and I have just had three days with no training and my body HURTS. It's stiff and I feel cranky. Can't wait to get back onto the mat!
Apr. 12th, 2004 @ 06:18 pm
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| » To work on |
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Just thought it might be handy to break down what I need to work on for some basic techniques...here goes.
Irimi nage
tori:
- extension in both hands
- hand on head against shoulder (yes, also with taller people)
- stay still, be the centre of the circle while uke moves around you
- throw with hip, not arm
- feet/hips move first, then arm
- don't lose uke
- don't hang, stand on your own two feet, don't let uke drag you away from your centre
- when stepping in at the end don't be a wimp, don't try to be nice
- from katate dori/ryote dori: leave hand right where it is and move around it, don't try to pull or push
- re the irimi: step into uke's 'dead point' where you take over his centre and ideally can make him fall with just one finger
uke:
- big steps
- hips, not head first
- keep attacking
- when being thrown don't throw back your head, keep chin low and throat 'closed'
- if at all possible, forward roll/breakfall, don't do back roll unless absolutely necessary
- when being directed towards ground before throw: work on landing on knee/elbow and then getting up again to continue technique
Shiho nage:
tori:
- little finger leads the way
- stay at same level, don't go up and down
- extend! and keep extension when arms go up, stretch uke's arms out so he can't get away
- keep upper body straight
- end throw with hand next to foot
- move fluidly, don't stop at various 'points' in technique
uke:
- draw in back leg/pull in front leg (depending on form)
- head sticks to arm
- practice falling without tucking leg in underneath (like back stretch)
Mar. 31st, 2004 @ 06:54 pm
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