by Robert Wolfe
Amdur
Seminar Fast Approaching
Members of Itten Dojo
planning to participate in the aikido seminar with dojo technical advisor Ellis
Amdur, should submit registration forms and fees as soon as possible. While the
Friday evening (Nov 7) and Sunday morning (Nov 9) sessions are limited to the
instructor cadre, all members of the aikidokai are encouraged to participate on
Saturday (Nov 8). Plans for Saturday include a morning session from 9:30 am to
12:00 noon, an afternoon session from 1:30 to 4:00 pm, and a group dinner at
Appalachian Brewery in Camp Hill at 6:30 pm.
Kai's
First Match
Amdur Sensei’s youngest son, Kai, recently fought his first bout as a professional boxer, in Japan. Video of Kai scoring a TKO about 48 seconds into the first round is up on YouTube, at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZIQynTriUM
Sweet!
Getting
Started in Aikido
We’ve been blessed with
a number of new enrollments in the aikidokai, so I thought this might be an
appropriate time to review some recommendations for beginning training:
1. For the first three
weeks or so, new students should focus just on getting used to training, not
worrying too much about trying to remember details of techniques. Relax and have
fun — as it becomes evident you’re acclimating, instructors will start to
point out what you need to remember.
2. Especially during the
conditioning exercises, focus on form rather than the number of repetitions you
perform. It’s much more important to learn proper form so that optimal
conditioning can be achieved over time, without injury, than it is to try to
keep up with other individuals who’ve been doing the exercises for far longer.
You can watch one rep, then do one, alternating that way through the set, or
watch one and do two. If you have to stop, try to rest in an active position.
For instance, if you can’t do another pushup, “rest” in the arms-extended
position, rather than flopping prone on the mat. Use the conditioning exercises
to learn to use only what you need to use to accomplish the prescribed movement
— relax everything else, and don’t grimace or grunt (and for Pete's sake
don't whine) during exertion.
3. Once familiar with the
basic structure of training and dojo protocols, new students should get as much
help as possible with the Taikyoku kuzushi, the fundamental movement
“themes” that are the foundation of everything we do. Expertise in the
Taikyoku kuzushi is absolutely critical to getting anywhere with our style of
aikido, and the sooner you make practice of the Taikyoku kuzushi a regular part
of your at-home training regimen, the further ahead you’ll be.
4. The same advice applies
to ukemi, the receiving skills necessary to safe training (and eventually to
counter-fighting). The introduction to ukemi you received prior to your first
class is only the bare minimum level of instruction, and you’ll want to get a
lot of help in polishing this critical skill set. (Remember, too, that copies of
Amdur Sensei's excellent DVD on ukemi are available on the dojo “Bookstore
Shelf.”)
5. After getting some
experience with the Taikyoku kuzushi and ukemi, begin to memorize the Honden
waza, the core techniques of our style, and run through those you know — with
a partner — prior to every class.
6. Keep a loose-leaf
notebook with your dojo gear, so that you can record terminology (including
proper spelling), patterns or names of techniques, or other information to
enhance your training. Ask questions.
Time
Change for Toho-Iaido Practices
Effective November 3rd,
Monday evening toho-iaido practices will run from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. The Monday
evening open mat period prior to class will still start at 6:00 pm, but will be
shortened to a half-hour.
Inclement
Weather Policy
Much to the despair of Al
Gore, indications are this winter might be colder and include more snow than in
recent years. We’re generally loathe to cancel practice, and will do so only
if it’s absolutely stupid to go out. If it’s only kind of stupid, I’ll
probably still be there. If in doubt as to whether the dojo is open, either call
or check the home page of the dojo website. Last year, the three aikido students
who still showed up one nasty evening were able to brag for weeks thereafter
about having done sword techniques, barefoot, in the snow…