LEVELS OF TRAINING

Traditional pedagogical transmission reinforces hierarchical structure: Shoden (初傳, beginning teachings) Chuden (中傳, intermediate) Okuden (奥傳, hidden or inner teachings) … and then there is Kuden – the secrets taught “mouth to ear.” This is a good way to ensure structured progression (kyu -> dan) and maintain social gradients (kohai -> sempai).  Mass production and replicableContinue reading “LEVELS OF TRAINING”

IKKYO IS MAKIOTOSHI

This morning we started with bokken. Standard shomen cut suburi to free the shoulders, then slide-cut to incorporate footwork (ashi-sabaki). From solo suburi to shomen uchi as a paired exercise. Shidachi gives gedan no kamai to invite uchidachi to strike.[1] Uchidachi strikes at the available opening: shomen. Shidachi receives with a cross block with a slight forward advanceContinue reading “IKKYO IS MAKIOTOSHI”

FLOW SEQUENCE

Update: create flow with neurostimulation – Radiolab 9-Volt Nirvana Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow is a good short-hand for what we should experience in moments of optimal performance. Moving-zen where the self dissolves. Aikido as an art aspires to the demonstration of effortless power – a visual presentation of flow. Resist teaching to the goal rather thanContinue reading “FLOW SEQUENCE”