Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sometimes you just lose it

I had a curious occurence in class yesterday. My partner and I began the class, reviewing O waza ju pon and we did fairly well. Then, towards the end of class we began going over specific techniques to work on refining them. I said "hmm, I didn't do #2 that remarkably, let's try that again."

So, I began trying to do it..and fail utterly. I had done it before, albeit not that effectively, but now couldn't even establish a good offbalance with it. I tried numerous times and just couldn't figure out what I was doing differently. I switched to #3 and had the same problem. After quite some time I did manage to reinstill the effectiveness of the third technique..but the second was still lacking.

By the end of the class, I still hadn't quite figured it out. I had somehow simply "lost it." I'm hoping to "find it" again by the monday - as that is when our belt test is scheduled. I've never quite had this issue before where I just suddenly started doing something so incorrectly. I suppose it could also have been Uke's fault, since we were both tired by that time; but I tend to blame myself and examine my own performance before turning an eye to my Uke. I suppose it could also have been because we were tired. We'll just have to see.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Eye Contact

So, last night I was working on some of my aikido techniques with my wife (who can taken a little aikido, but it has been a while for her). I get her to attack me and I step into my technique...and it doesn't work. I try again..and a third time. Finally I realize, 1. i'm not affecting an off-balance. This is simple because she isn't really being a terribly honest attacker, isn't commiting much into it and thus there is nothing to build an off-balance on. 2. I realize i'm in the wrong position for several of the attacks. This is because she's not maintaining eye contact.

Now.. obviously when you'r fighting someone you want to maintain eye contact. This is obvious!...isn't it? For any martial artist it is..but most of the people who might attack you aren't trained fighters. Now yes, I imagine that a large portion of them will still want to maintain eye contact with you - but that doesn't mean that all of them will have that sense of mind. They may allow their gaze to wander.

Now it is also true that with several of the techniques, even being in the incorrect placement, I could still effect an offbalance; it just wouldn't be as comfortable for the uke. However, I do have to wonder how many of our techniques might be rendered less (or completely) ineffective just by something as simple as the attacker not maintaining eye contact/not trying to be turned to look to us.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Aikido Blogging

Wow..when I first started blogging and first hit on the idea to search blogger for aikido blogs, I never realized how many I would find. Nor did I realize what a valuable resource such things could actually be. Not only are blogs are useful resource for Sensei's and Dojos to get their ideas out to other people, but they are extremely useful for any aikidoka seeking greater understanding of this wonderful art.

Where else can you find so many different viewpoints on so many different aspects of the art? It is true that you have no control over the information that you receive, but that is almost the best part of it. If it were constrained to the thoughts that occupied your mind at any given time, then the variety of ideas and information would be limited to your own particular "box". However, since the information comes from dozens of different minds - all thinking differently, you'r able to find information and perspectives on aspects of Aikido that you may not have been thinking about.

It's certainly not a "fast-track" to understanding by any means; but rather - I can see them being a valuable tool for forming a wider scope of understanding.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Fwam!

Fwam! ..That's the sound I made last night, hitting the mat after a particularly well executed Ude Guruma from my partner. So far, for my partner and I, as we train towards our shodan tests there has been a scale of our proficiency with the O Waza. Initially, our techniques were absolutely horrid - our timing and placement throwing the entire technique into a state of utter failure.

Then, we moved on to an element of technical proficiency. Wherein we would achieve roughly the correct placement and timing, enabling us to achieve a fall - albeit out techniques (at least the first four) would usually end up in a backfall as opposed to the desired break fall.

And from there, we went on to tweaking our placement and timing enough to achieve rolling breakfalls. However, I have to say that last night was the first time that one of us had actually managed to fully throw the other into a genuine break fall. There was no assistance by me; I prepared mentally for my usual rolling breakfall and was surprised to find myself flipped through the air. Caught completely by surprise, I then laid there for a minute whilst I waited for my side to stop hurting quite so badly. Naturally, knowing how to take a fall, I was fine - but the surprise of the whole thing required a moment.

So..what's the point? Well, for one, we're getting better. Which is good considering our belt test is in about two weeks. Two, .. I'm sure I made a very satisfying thump when I hit the mat. :-p

Monday, November 16, 2009

BudoVideos/Kaizen athletic

I recently ordered a new gi from BudoVideos. Their Aikido Gi by Kaizen Athletic. Now admittedly, it isn't the most expensive gi that I could have ordered - but pricewise it was about twice as expensive as the one that i've been wearing for the past several years. Out of the box, the jacket is of decent quality - albeit a bit large. I shrank it down to a decent size and i'm happy with it.

The pants, however, are a different matter. I've found several places where the sewing is weak and the threads are already coming out. It looks much like a six year old child did the sewing. (As in, I can do better sewing work than that, and i'm not a professional by any means.) I'm very dissapointed with this gi, but I can't afford to send it back or get another one at the moment. (I already sent one back to another company before this.) Since i've already shrunk it, i'm going to fix the sewing myself. (i'm atleast good enough with a needle to do that.) But I shouldn't have to.

In summary: while this product isn't made by Budo video, they sell it - and as such I would recommend that anyone look elsewhere for a gi. You can find the same products elsewhere, but hopefully someone else will at least check the quality of what they sell you before they put it in their stock.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

A little more spirit please

There's a little bit missing - a little bit of spirit. My interests in Aikido have always also coincided with an interest in the more spiritual and philosophical aspects of the art. I haven't found a great deal of emphasis on it, but I suppose i'm fortunate that it is something that I can pursue through independent study; at least to a certain extent.

The body is the tool, but without the correct understanding of the spirit - the tool is but a simple tool, crude and ineffective without proper direction.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Welcome!

Welcome one and all to the rantings of my blank slate, my empty cup. This forum will hold all my newbie thoughts pertaining to Aikido, Japan, Japanese, and Budo. Mostly Aikido and my studies in Japanese. There are many learned and experienced views on all of these things, hanging about in the internet. But here you won't find any of that!

You'll find my speculations, thoughts, dreams, and hypotheses as I endeavor to fill my teabowl. So come, read, and comment!