Volume 6 Number 2,
Second Quarter 2000
Teaching Committee Seminar Atlanta, GA
Aikido in the Home
Teaching Committee Seminar Atlanta, GA
by Gwen BoydNeither rain nor sleet nor dark hotel rooms could keep aikidoka away from this year’s teaching committee seminar in Atlanta, GA, January 21 – 23. The seminar featured the wonderful instruction of Bill Bunn and Ginny Whitelaw Senseis and although plagued by difficult weather and sporadic electricity, it offered a great way to start the new year. The new dual instruction format worked well for students and teachers alike.
Both instructors stressed the importance of tai sabaki and built a great repertoire of techniques from the initial tai sabaki demonstrated. Each sensei shared analogies that brought new understanding to a particular technique. The light bulbs went on (metaphorically) around the mat when Bunn Sensei explained that you must hold your hand as if it were holding a cup when you cut uke around on kaitenage. Similar enlightenment occurred when Whitelaw Sensei described the kotegaeshi throw as the movement of one large windshield wiper. (For those of you unfamiliar with this movement, be sure to ask Buddy Hege Sensei to show you the windshield wiper on his new car. It works the same way and was a helpful reinforcement on the drive home.) Bunn Sensei also shared his methodology for organizing the many possible Aikido techniques and urged us all to find a way to do the same, very good advice. Using something everyone could relate to, Whitelaw Sensei brought clarity to the complex timing in Aikido techniques by describing it as a symphonic pause, that moment in time between the end of a musical piece and the applause of the audience when everything is still.
Unfortunately, the ice storm left many local practitioners stranded on Sunday. Although we missed our Atlanta area partners, the smaller group allowed for special treats – randori and long distance throws! Whitelaw Sensei covered the maneuvers that work well when one is trying to “seize chaos”. Bunn Sensei made good use of the extra mat space and helped us with the larger kokyunage throws from mune tsuki.
In addition to the excellent Aikido, each sensei created an open and inviting environment in which to learn. The ice outside could not penetrate the warm encouragement offered by each instructor. Nor could the darkness dim the light shed on many a technique and movement. “The pebble is next to the cricket.”
Aikido in the Home
by Laura DivineyEvery practitioner of our noble art should commit completely to training. This means bringing Aikido home. Work on these techniques between classes to increase your skill and advance more quickly.
Koho Tento Undo with Appliances – The Rowboat Exercise is most often done with oven or dishwasher doors. Because the front leg must stay bent forward with weight over the ball of the foot, it’s a good idea to duct-tape potholders over the shins.
Mune Tsuki with Barbecue Grill Fork – Removing hot dogs from the hibachi takes on a special excitement when punches turn to stabs. Remember not to let your fist turn upwards even as the weenies go flying in the grass.
Fur flies with Udefuri Undo — Turning with arms outstretched in normal, small and long turns can be done at home with small pets tucked in the gi coat (Yorkies, Scotties, and little kittens work best). The antics of these tiny friends while trapped inside twirling clothing will provide that extra measure of concentration needed to fine-tune technique.
Dinner Party Say Undo – Give your guests a fresh, new experience by serving the cornbread with this technique. Remember to stretch from the shoulder and turn up your hand as you step out of the kitchen on the count of four. Advanced students can move up to hot soups and staining sauces.
Changing the channels with Shiko Walking – Give your knees a real workout by walking on them without a mat. First place the remote control on the floor in front of the TV. Walk to it with shiko (remember to keep those heels together!) and press your patella on the button you want. This one requires finesse rather than strength, as most knees are thicker than most fingers. (It’s a good idea to keep extra remotes to replace malfunctioning ones flung at the wall in frustration.)
Bedroom Forward and Backward Fall with a Slap and Yoko Falls — These can be practiced first thing in the morning while still in bed. If you are on the left side of the bed, fold your left arm across your stomach and push off with your right arm. As you go spinning off the edge of the mattress, make sure you avoid the bedside table, although furniture atemi can help you make new friends at the Emergency Room.
Shomenuchi Ibuprofen – Advanced Aikidoka use live swords whenever childproof caps on the Advil bottle get in the way of their Samurai candy.
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