(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”

CHUDAN TSUKI

Tsuki (‘thrust’) in Aikido should replicate a knife thrust. We have focused on the high-line (jodan) first because it was a pedagogical thread from kata-dori, but also because a thrust to the face elicits a strong ‘flinch’ response. It is harder to maintain ‘zanshin‘ when pressed with a high-line attack. This morning we moved downContinue reading “CHUDAN TSUKI”

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)”