CHANGES

2018 rapidly comes to a close. Looking back, this has been a transformative year.  Thanks to new leadership and new ideas, Portland Aikikai found a new home, became a non-profit organization, and elected a board of directors. These are all positive changes: growth. Growth is a powerful metaphor. We grow from children to adults. Expanding skills andContinue reading “CHANGES”

KIHON – IKKYO AND NIKKYO

It has taken the entire year for me to actually start a more systematic presentation of the kihon waza, which was my goal in January. And so it goes. Ikkyo through yonkyo – the first through fourth techniques. Gyakuhanmi katatedori sets up the encounter. We focus on nage and the count. The geometry of the footwork needsContinue reading “KIHON – IKKYO AND NIKKYO”

CIRCULAR DISSOLVES

Circular dissolves.  Master Keating explains the concept. What we explore here is a counter-clockwise dissolve but the concepts are applicable to clockwise dissolves. For the last several classes we have been exploring circular dissolves though the simplified cross-hand encounter – aihanmi katate dori (R/R, L/L grasps). Setting the encounter: Nage presents hand thumb up –Continue reading “CIRCULAR DISSOLVES”