protectivearts

UCHI KOMI

Uchi komi is an exercise whereby a clear opportunity to attack is presented to allow for repetitive and correct training to recognize an opening and to strike. In Aikiken, the basic uchi komi exercise opens with both uchidachi and shidachi in seigan no kamai. Uchidachi then lowers to gendan to invite shomen and when shidachiContinue reading “UCHI KOMI”

(RE)FRAMING AIKIDO

Imitation may be the highest form of flattery but it is also a great way to learn. The monkey-see, monkey-do teaching combined with an interpretive gloss is how most of us are taught. Add physical manipulation and now you have a training method. In the Western tradition, the burden is on the teacher, even when done Socratically,Continue reading “(RE)FRAMING AIKIDO”

LINEAGE AND LEGACY

Knowing the heritage and the history of your art is important. We are not so far removed from the origins of the art. O’Sensei (Morihei Ueshiba) had a direct influence on several of the shihans still teaching today, and his son (the second Doshu) was still teaching when I trained in Japan. All of us have a directContinue reading “LINEAGE AND LEGACY”