ushiro-tenkan – Protective Arts

WEAPON RETENTION

The banner image is a sobering reminder that retaining control of your weapon is imperative in close quarter combat. Primary weapons are always carried at the waist, thus the focus on chudan level. The ritual endures longer than the reason for it – try to deduce the martial logic behind the ritualistic rote repetition inContinue reading “WEAPON RETENTION”

CIRCULAR DISSOLVES

Circular dissolves. Master Keating explains the concept. What we explore here is a counter-clockwise dissolve but the concepts are applicable to clockwise dissolves. For the last several classes we have been exploring circular dissolves though the simplified cross-hand encounter – aihanmi katate dori (R/R, L/L grasps). Setting the encounter: Nage presents hand thumb up –Continue reading “CIRCULAR DISSOLVES”

USHIRO TENKAN

Gyaku hanmi katate dori ashi sabaki. I use the static encounter as a starting point because it safely teaches powerful concepts. Aikido’s focus on connection is important to feel as a bodily (somatic) connection with your partner. From the moment uke grasps nage’s hand, nage must sink (break plane, dropping the center) in order to capture theContinue reading “USHIRO TENKAN”