KIRI KAESHI

Uchi komi is an exercise from the low guard to the midline (ge-dan to chu-dan) and finding shidachi’s blade on the center-line. In FMA terms, it is a vertical play on the 11/12 line. Kiri kaeshi is a horizontal play on the 3/4 line delivered from 5 – seigan-no-kamai position. I am blending ‘languages’ to illustrateContinue reading “KIRI KAESHI”

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”