Journey to Yudansha

Refresher course on Ryokata dori Osae Waza. Omote: (Assume left forward stance) First, tenshin with right arm extended for atemi. Optional: Right (atemi) arm drop and cut parallel on Uke's right arm Right arm fold back and catch Uke's right fist, left arm assist to push Uke's right elbow up to twist the right arm to locking position Ura: (Assume left forward stance) First, extend left arm for atemi

Revisited the basics Aikido consists of these types of attack generally: Katatedori Katadori Shomenuchi Yokomenuchi Tsuki Ryotedori Morotedori Ryokatadori Katamen uchi Ushiro Ryotedori Ushiro Ryokatadori And key defense techniques: Osae Waza (pinning or control techniques)  - Ikkyo  - Nikkyo  - Sankyo  - Yonkyo  - Gokyo Nage Waza (throw techniques)  - Irimi Nage  - Shiho Nage  - Kote Gaeshi Kokyu Nage (breath power throw) Kaiten Nage Koshi Nage Tenchi Nage Juji Garami Trained on some tricky techniques like: Shomen uchi Kaiten Nage Shomen uchi Shiho Nage Tsuki Ikkyo Tsuki Kaiten Nage Ryotedori Koshinage Morote dori Ikkyo Ushiro Ryote dori Koshi Nage

Looked into 2 aspects of training, tandoku dosa (solo exercises) and sotai dosa (paired exercises). For the record, Tandoku dosa involves the following: 1. Kamae (stance) 2. Mae (hanmi omote, ura) 3. Movement (front, back) 4. Kiri tsuke 5. Kiri sage 6. Nidan giri 7. Zengo giri 8. 28 direction cut Sotai dosa involves: 1. Ichi noken 2. Ni noken 3. San noken 4. Yon noken 5. Go noken When holding bokken in mae position, ensure fist is above the belt, kissaki pointing at (imaginary) opponent's throat. Left hand firm (but not overly tight) grip while right hand has a more relaxed grip.

Practiced Suwariwaza version of Shomen Uchi locks Ikkyo, Nikkyo, and Sankyo. Slight variation from previously where we deflect the Uke's arm to our side, we train by deflecting and projecting Uke's arm away while extending our arm fully. Key tips to locks control is pressing on Uke's thumb base, especially for Nikkyo and Sankyo (even for Yonkyo).

In today's class Sensei focused on Ikkyo, Nikkyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo locks with Shomen Uchi attack. (Assuming attacking with left hand, Nage and Uke in gyaku hanmi stance) When Uke attacks with the left Shomen, Nage blocks with a left Shomen and the collision force will push both person's arm upwards. Nage should then move right leg forward, body slightly off-center, while right leg is toe to toe with Uke's left leg (Hito ime?). Nage use the free (right) hand to control and twist Uke's elbow while the left hand cuts down, Nage's position slightly pulled back. This will put Nage into the controlling position, ready to complete the lock for Ikkyo. Variation for Nikkyo: While left hand cuts down, do the wrist rotation to secure Uke's left hand in a Nikkyo lock position Variation for Sankyo: While left hand cuts down, grab Uke's fingers and twist the palm to face to self. Right hand's thumb on Uke's inner elbow to assist pushing elbow upwards so Uke...

I'm an Aikidoka currently practicing the art of Aikido in Malaysia. I will be going for my Shodan exam this year, and therefore I came up with the idea of maintaining a blog to keep track of some notes or advice given by my Sensei in class. I first got to know about Aikido through a diving friend in 2008 when I expressed interest to pick up a "soft" martial art like Taichi. Thus he brought me to experience a class in KL. I became very much interested in the art, and the rest is history. When I first started, I pretty much took Aikido as a hobby and chance for me to do some much needed exercise for maintaining my health and weight. So at first I was quite reluctant to take exams to advance in the ranks. And to be frank, I have never imagined that one day I would reach the Yudansha levels. But my Sensei advised me to proceed with the exam so I can gauge my own progress in the art. So here I am, at first Kyu after 9 years, going for the Shodan exam. Wish me luck!