RETURN TO THE MAT – MARCH 2021

March 1, 2021, the first Monday class after almost a full year off the Aikido mat. Restrictions are still in place – masked, no-contact training – which makes for a challenging teaching and learning environment. Aikido is an energetic art: we need to touch each other to understand how to ‘blend’ with the intentional forceContinue reading “RETURN TO THE MAT – MARCH 2021”

IKKYO’S BUNKAI

This article is a revisit and amplification of an earlier post: Ikkyo is Makiotoshi. Makiotoshi is a capture followed with an oblique downward return along the line of attack to uke’s centerline. Essentially, the mechanics of the movement is a two-handed intercept while closing the gap to capture the attack, then the use of superiorContinue reading “IKKYO’S BUNKAI”

DRAWPOINT

In a self defense scenario, reaction time is one of the most important types of speed to cultivate. In traditional Japanese arts, iaijutsu is an example of a quick draw response system, now become an ossified art.[1] The Drawpoint method of deploying a knife is a modern cognate alive with potential. Drawpoint is Comtech’s refinementContinue reading “DRAWPOINT”