Nadeu Shihan Seminar @ Aikido of San Diego

Thoughts on Nadeau Shihan's seminarJuly 15-17, 2011

-photo courtesy of Megan and Jay Palm-

For those who do not know Nadeau Sensei, he is a great aikidoka with a one-of-a-kind personality. He is serious about keeping the teachings and philosophies of Osensei alive.


(left: 'aikido' written in Japanese, right: Osensei)


"Do the aikido that is not seen with the human eye"(written for Nadeau

California Aikido Adventure

California, here I come!
I was lucky enough to travel to California to visit friends and do some aikido training. I was excited to visit Chushinkan Dojo and meet Nakayama Sensei, someone whom I had met a few times already and admired his aikido and enthusiasm for life. I have to admit that it was a bit of heaven on earth. Daily training, usually more than once a day, as well as gym workouts. Then

Western Region Aikido Camp: Fun & Finale!

(7 of 7)

FUN with AIKIDO





Parting is such sweet hoopla!






happiness is taking away someone's bokken



rolling in peace and happiness




brightly focused merriment




Many Thanks:

To MacBeth sensei for hosting the Western Region Camp at his dojo, Aikido of North County in Vista, California. To Christine Dyer sensei graciously made transportation and hotel arrangements for the both of

Western Region Aikido Camp: Dyer Sensei

(6 of 7)
Christine Dyer sensei


It's always a good time when someone gets thrown!


~
For one of Dyer sensei's sessions, she taught:
Jyujinage



(the technique is named due to the "+" sign
the uke's arms make right before being thrown)



Sokumen Iriminage



I'll end with some great ultimate and penultimate finishing poses!




Ka-BOOM!




Dyer sensei began her studies under Nakayama sensei

Western Region Aikido Camp: MacBeth Sensei

(5 of 7)
Ken MacBeth sensei



sometimes it's just too much fun!


~
For one of MacBeth sensei's sessions, he taught bokken dori.(techniques involving a wooden sword)
~kokyunage bokken dori



tsuki sokumen iriminage bokken dori(tsuki = the attacker thrusts his/her bokken at your abdomen)





He also gave us very detailed instruction on bokken takeaways.



This particular aikido camp was

Western Region Aikido Camp: Katz Sensei

(4 of 7)
Martin Katz sensei


"Is that what I did? That's not what I did... Do what I showed you!"

Katz sensei either had a mischievous grin, a huge smile, or a seriously strict look on his face. Rarely will you see anything in between - he is truly present every moment of his life!


~

Katz sensei is always very creative with his warm-ups.
This particular exercise promotes zanshin
(

Western Region Aikido Camp: Nakayama Sensei

(3 of 7)
James Nakayama sensei


"Let me tell you the secrets of aikido..."

~
For one of Nakayama sensei's sessions, he taught ushirotekubitori kokyunage.
~
First: ushirotori undo



Next: direct application




Next: You do it...



My Notes: When you step forward make sure your hips are still facing forward,something that helps is to point your toes outward when stepping forward.
Don't let

Western Region Aikido Camp: Toyoda Sensei

(2 of 7)
Stephen Toyoda sensei



Let the games begin...


~

For one of Toyoda sensei's sessions, he taught kaitenage
and some oyo and henka waza variations.

~


one of the OYO wazas
(uke goes around the nage, and then thrown)




(notice how the nage ends up in seiza!)



one of the HENKA wazasIt begins as a traditional kaitenage, and then...




let your uke keep turning until he is facing

Western Region Aikido Camp: Intro & Exams

(1 of 7)

Can we? Maybe? Should we? Perhaps? Maybe just one? Oh, let's just do it! Is it possible? Wait... What? You're kidding me! Seriously? Ok! Let's go! ...by a stroke of last-minute good fortune, Amjith and I made it to the Oct 2010 Western Region Aikido Camp in Vista, California (affiliated with the Aikido Association of America).



Kirsten Simms and Jeremy Neff


A camp differs from a

Aikido Thoughts: What does your kiai say about you?

Kototama: spirit sounds
Kototama (also kotodama) is a system of cosmology and mysticism. It has to do with describing the universe through the vibrations of sound; there are mystical powers in words and names. Remember your childhood stories, where if a person successfully guesses or use someone's true/real name, they have some kind of power over that person? Think of the fairy tale

Aikido Thoughts: Stages of aikido

I just started reading Aikido: The Peaceful Martial Art, by Stefan Stenudd. This one idea in particular was very eye-opening and refreshing. If you are a martial artist, what do you think? What stage are you in? Does this apply to you?Learning aikido can be compared to elements found in nature.STONE “immovable, tense, with sharp edges”*At this point, we are not familiar with using different

Nakayama Sensei's seminar at Jyushinkan Dojo

Image courtesy of Iryna Cherniavska

James Nakayama Sensei was invited to Jyushinkan Dojo (the aikido dojo in Logan, Utah) to teach a seminar from August 13 to Aug. 15, 2010.

Thoughts on the seminarThis seminar was very different than any other seminar I have attended in the past. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it was my first seminar after attending kenshusei. Perhaps it

Kenshusei: July 25 - 31

WEEK 4 (part 4 of 4)
The last week. I have to admit I was becoming mentally and physically exhausted. Usually, in class, we watch as a technique is demonstrated for us a few times, and then we practice it on our own. If you're not paying attention to the technique being demonstrated, when it becomes your turn to perform the technique, you are lost and feel really stupid... "What are we doing

Kenshusei: July 18 - 24

WEEK 3 (part 3 of 4)This week was an enjoyable week, getting to know my fellow kenshusei members better, and also having a good time hanging out with the Chicago aikidokas! I think Amjith leaving somewhat forced me to reach out and connect further with the other people around me.
Many aikidokas (people who train in the art of aikido) had been waiting for this day - Sun. July 18th - Test Day!

Kenshusei: July 11 - 17

WEEK 2 (part 2 of 4)By now, we knew everyone living at the dojo fairly well. We were more confident about what to expect this week, in terms of aikido training. It was still exciting to learn so much and to train with so many different people! Much of this week was spent learning 4th kyu techniques (what Amjith and I need to know for our next belt test). David, a fellow kenshusei member, had

Kenshusei: July 1 - 10

About Kenshusei: Amjith and I decided somewhat spontaneously that we wanted to go to a month-long "boot camp" where we would practice aikido about 40 hours a week for the entire month of July! I was so excited - life can't be bad when you're spending your days being thrown and throwing people around! This took place in Chicago at Tenshinkan Dojo, the headquarters of the Aikido Association of