Keiko Diary
Our topics today:
- KOKYU-HO
- USHIRO-UKEMI: backwards roll (a) changing sides on the back and (b) rolling over the shoulder; from SUWARI-WAZA and TACHI-WAZA
- MUSUBI exercise: guiding the partner through shoulder contact
- USHIRO-UKEMI exercises with partner:
- Pushing both shoulders
- Pushing with a contact to the throat: leaving the comfort zone
- Pushing one shoulder: side to roll over is now determined
- Guiding the partner while he is gripping one's index finger (position GYAKU-HANMI)
- Application in the technique (GYAKU-HANMI) KATATE-DORI TENCHI-NAGE:
- OMOTE direct entry
- URA turning entry (with TENKAN movement, see video in glossary)
- SHIATSU practice with partner
Today we focused on sword practice (AIKIKEN):
- TAI-SABAKI, alone and as partner exercise
- AIKIKEN
- Significance of weapons practice for Aikido: improves posture, movements, distance, timing, awareness and presence
- Holding and using the BOKKEN, always considering it as a sharp weapon
- TAI-SABAKI with the BOKKEN
- SHOMEN-UCHI
- Partner exercise SHOMEN-UCHI KIRI-KAESHI (see video on AIKIKEN glossary page at 12:35 min)
- Application of sword forms in Aikido: SHOMEN-UCHI SHIHO-NAGE in OMOTE and URA (7 sword cuts)
The topics of today's keiko with Klaus and Jakob:
- Focus topic MAE-UKEMI (1): SUWARI-WAZA
- "Systema roll" with arm stretched to the outside
- Rolling with putting down the back of the shoulder first
- Focus topic MAE-UKEMI (2): TACHI-WAZA
- Rolling with putting down the back of the shoulder first (controlled, short distance)
- Rolling with arms in wheel position, on the outside edge of the arm (fast, longer distance)
- Rolling by taking away the supporting front foot
- SHOMEN-UCHI: execution of attack and passing exercises
- SHOMEN-UCHI IKKYO OMOTE: practise of Z movement
- KOKYU-NAGE from SHOMEN-UCHI IKKYO OMOTE (in groups)
Jakob emphasised details of the contact ("plucking an apple") and of leading the partner into the roll ("putting down the apple").
Topics of today's keiko with Frederic:
- UKEMI, especially USHIRO-UKEMI
- AI-HANMI KATATE-DORI SHIHO-NAGE in OMOTE and URA
- AI-HANMI KATATE-DORI UDEKIME-NAGE in OMOTE and URA
In both techniques, the focus was on finding the right distance (MA-AI) and on shifting UKE's weight to the front foot.
Today's focus was on UKEMI:
- MAE-UKEMI from a kneeling position, over a partner lying outstretched on the floor, over a partner on all fours.
- Exercise for breakfall from IRIMI-NAGE. Rolling over the knee of TORI: turn hip and upper body towards TORI, keep your inner hand at TORI's back, stretch the outside hand in search for the ground, extend your legs, keeping them close to TORI's back.
- Exercise for breakfall from KOTEGAESHI: falling over a tight grip of the partner's wrist; rolling over TORI's knee with your hand gripped.
- Technique (GYAKU-HANMI) KATATE-DORI KOTEGAESHI, alternative forms with gliding step and TENKAN (exam form, in the video on the glossary page from 1:47 min)
Follow the link UKEMI for more information and sample videos. Especially the video from Maung Maung Thant will show familiar exercises.
Keiko Heatmap
Look at our Keiko Heatmap to see how often we have practised the techniques of our curriculum.