KIHON – Hanmi Handachi Shiho Nage and Uchi Kaiten Nage

Kihon waza are the developmental base forms and they show the correct way to train in order to allow for proper developmental growth in the art. Normative words demand definition: what is a “correct” way to train and what is “proper” development? I recall hearing a shihan once quip, “Aikido works. Yours doesn’t.” A pithy summationContinue reading “KIHON – Hanmi Handachi Shiho Nage and Uchi Kaiten Nage”

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 – SOLVING FOR THE INFINITE

There was a time when students paid their teachers for each technique. At first glance that may seem expensive – especially if you believe the hyperbole that Aikido’s techniques are infinite – but that would be to confuse naming conventions for patterns of movement. Ikkyo. The first technique. The first teachings form the pedagogical foundation but to drawContinue reading “IKKYO – SOLVING FOR THE INFINITE”