CREATING TEACHERS – CHRIS MULLIGAN

Mulligan sensei when we last communicated, you mentioned: I just had a discussion with Malory Graham sensei (of Seattle Aikikai) and we were discussing some of the reasons that Aikido membership in the States is declining.  She believes, and I agree, that it is mainly bad teaching.  To be a good teacher, you first have to haveContinue reading “CREATING TEACHERS – CHRIS MULLIGAN”

AT CLOSE RANGE: Shomen and Yokomen

First warm up with a new pattern – shomen practice with a step-cut, slide-cut, step-cut to get out of fixed patterns; disrupt habits and the facile assumptions.  Then yokomen with the same step-cut, slide-cut, step-cut.  The tempo is quick beat cut, cut – you are advancing through space – your first cut misses and yourContinue reading “AT CLOSE RANGE: Shomen and Yokomen”

ROKU NO TACHI (6th Kumitachi)

Monday was a digression from continuing to explore irmi-nage / no ura concept I had been flirting with. Because I was not feeling well and didn’t want to sweat over everyone, I moved back to kimusubi/ the 6th kumitachi.  I tried to show both roles independent of each other – as simple kata, then to pairContinue reading “ROKU NO TACHI (6th Kumitachi)”