JODAN TSUKI (Highline Thrust)

With a nod back to the thrusting triangle, it is important to remember that tsuki – the thrust – can be delivered on any line. The doce pares count is a mnemonic for you to learn that every line (slash) can be a point (thrust).  We continue to play the highline. Why? Because it is arguably theContinue reading “JODAN TSUKI (Highline Thrust)”

KATA DORI Sankyo and Kokyu Nage

The prior classes were all explorations of the lines of entry – the kihon (flanking), ushiro (absorbing), and irimi (closing) entries. Mastering the entries and the timing differences are critical to being able to execute techniques. First master the maai (distance) and time (kimusubi). Then we added atemi – as a facilitating device. Proper atemi of course could beContinue reading “KATA DORI Sankyo and Kokyu Nage”

NECESSARY VIOLENCE

In Aikido we use weapons as a basis of understanding or a metaphor for action – “shomen is like an overhead strike” – and yet we often change the way we execute any given technique when a weapon is actually involved.  Aikido does at least make the pretext of keeping the principles the same – meaningContinue reading “NECESSARY VIOLENCE”