There are different flavors of aikido, usually representative of O-Sensei’s teaching at the time the branch fiirst sprouted from the tree. The early forms, such as Yoshinkai and Shodokan, and some of the later forms like Ki Aikido, have their own separate organizations. Yet even the main branch, the Aikikai Foundation (Aikido World Headquarters), has… Continue reading
robots
The newest kid on the block, and the avatar of every previous age (roughly sixty and counting), is Robot. He’s currently spraying perfume on his tonsils and chirping “me-me-me!” But soon, my fiends, very soon, you will become uncomfortably acquainted with his cornered sidekick broom. Join the adventure!
chivalry
Sean’s become more and more interested in fencing ever since he took a few classes with Piedmont Park and Rec last summer. He’s now an enthusiastic student of Maestro Harold Hayes at the Pacific Fencing Club in Alameda. I enjoy going after work to admire Maestro Hayes’ teaching style, imagining how it might translate to… Continue reading
inspiration
Michael Flynn Shihan, our original dojo-cho, flew in from Scotland for a great weekend seminar at Alamada Aikikai. More than most, he is able to demonstrate amazingly crisp and powerfull techniques while also maintaining that temper of compassion that makes aikido unique. Here are some pictures.
reality check
There’s an old throw in aikido, which in daito-ryu-aikijutsu was called gyaku-hijinage, and in modern aikido is known variously as udekimenage, jujinage, or simply a kokyunage variation (what isn’t?), which is often used during randori in response to yokomen or tsuki strikes. Nage moves in close to the side and slightly behind, a cross-hand grab… Continue reading
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