259:Shochugeiko-Day9 : Thursday 7:00 : August 31, 2006

Basic:
Shumatsu Dosa-1 & 2

Technique:
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Hijiate Kokyunage-1
Katate Mochi Hijiate Kokyunage-2
Suwariwaza Yokomen Uchi Hijiate Kokyunage-2
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Hijiate Kokyunage-1
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Hijiate Kokyunage-2

Note:
Class of 3.

258:Thursday 5:45 : August 31, 2006

Basic:

Technique:
Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1 & 2
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-1 & 2
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Kotegaeshi-1 & 2
Suwariwaza Yokomen Uchi Shomen Iriminage-1 & 2
Ushiro Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-1 & 2
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-1 & 2

Shomen Tsuki Kotegaeshi-1 & 2

Note:

Class of 2.

257:Shochugeiko-Day8 : Wednesday 7:00 : August 30, 2006

Basic:

Hiriki no Yosei - 1 & 2 with partner

Technique:

Suwariwaza Katate Mochi Hijishime-1
Shomen Uchi Hijishime-1
Shomen Uchi Hijishime-2

Note:
Class of 4.

256:Wednesday 5:45 : August 30, 2006

Basic:
Hiriki no Yosei-1 & 2

Technique:
Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae-2

Note:
Class of 3. Series continues...Katate Mochi Ikkajo-2.

I was glad we came up with the way to do it without obsessively pushing "thumb".

255:Shochugeiko-Day7 : Tuesday 7:00 : August 29, 2006

Basic:

Hiriki no Yosei-1

Technique:

Shomen Uchi Shomen Iriminage-1
Shomen Uchi Shomen Iriminage-2
Katate Mochi Shomen Irimiange-1
Katate Mochi Shomen Iriminage-2
Ryote Mochi Shomen Iriminage-1
Ryote Mochi Shomen Irimiange-2

Shomen Uchi Shomen Iriminage (Jiyuwaza Style)

Note:
Class of 5. Everytime, I hit somewhere I'm not supposed to take Sensei's Uke for ANY KIND of Iriminage, today was not an exception. I hit my elbows once, and twisted my ankle for another.

My back breakfalls are so bad. I dont know how I do it wrong but my body doesnt learn how to fall as I sit down. I dont like it doing wrongly cuz it hurts pretty bad. I dont do so great forward rolls nor flips either (then I still often damage my ankle...) yet I can see what to work on better than backwards.

Knee flexibility?? or Back?? or could be all...anyway... might want to try making some effort on back breakfalls rather than just my regular effortless ones. : )

254:Tuesday 5:45 : August 29, 2006

Basic:
Shumatsu Dosa

Technique:

Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1

Note:
Class of 3. Stuck with one technique, Katate Mochi Ikkajo-1.

It seems like the circle to make is nothing other than we do in Kihon Dosas. ( I knew that, but to remind me...) I have been trying hard to keep my hips straight and squar as much as possible in any positions I'd be, makes my movements smaller than they should be...

Working with bigger guys requires certain force just to get or keep the shape (of shoulders or elbows...) I'm supposed to get. I believe, at the end, its possible to do it without force but it takes a long time, so I have to keep trying the way I do for now.

253:Shochugeiko-Day6 : Monday 7:00 : August 28, 2006

Sokumen Iriminage

Basic:
Tai no Henko-1 & 2

Technique:

Suwariwaza Katate Mochi Sokumen Irimiange-1
Katate Mochi Sokumen Iriminage-1
Kata Mochi Sokumen Irimiange-2

Katate Mochi Sokumen Iriminage (Jiyuwaza Style)

Note:
Class of 4. The second week started!!

Sokumen Iriminage, the first we learn but not the easiest.

I'm starting to see the image how hips and legs (with knees) are moved together and relax upper body...of course, seeing knowing trying and being able to do are all different. ; )

252:Saturday 6:15 : August 26,2006

Basic:

Kamae
Rolls...

Technique:

Dai ni Kihon

Note:
Class of 2. Free mat class, went through Dai ni Kihon as many as possible.

I'm not doing very well with Ikkajo-2, Nikajo-2 movements. I may be staying more in the center when I make the last shift, instead of staying forward.

Pivot on Hanmi Handachi-2 needs to be worked on a lot.
Some people do a great pivot makes it look like disappearing from Uke's sight.
My knees are not low enough to do good pivots, guess need to work on more for that too.

251: Saturday 11:30 : August 26, 2006

Kokusai Class

Basic:

Kamae
Seiza ho
Hiriki no Yosei-1
Suriashi

Technique:
Kata Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1
Kata Mochi Ikkajo with one arm

Note:

Class of 15 or more. Great practice to work on Kamae. Sensei said, " if you feel like your hips are squared, they are not." its good to know. : )

The first half of the class was a lot harder than it looked. I could not keep my legs in the position until the next count was called towards the end with Hiriki no Yosei-1. I havent been able to pass that limit yet when I'm in pain...

So much to work on to get the better Kamae...so much to remember, so much to do. What shows from these works is very little.

250:Shochugeiko-Day5: Friday 7:00 : August 25, 2006

Basic:

Tai no Henko-1 with partner
Tai no Henko-2 with partner

Technique:

Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Yonkajo Osae-1
Shomen Uchi Yonkajo Osae-1
Yokomen Uchi Yonkajo Osae-2
Ryote Mochi Yonkajo Osae-1

Note:
Class of 3.

Whats the image to do Yonkajo? Sensei asked. His way is to turn the elbow around and move it forward. He PROBABLY told us before but I did not remember and that was a good approach.

Also, I'm working on keeping the distance, (its not good to get too close.)

249:Shochugeiko-Day4: Thursday 7:00 : August 24, 2006

Basic:

Back Breakfalls (50)
Forward Rolls
Back Rolling Breakfalls

Hiriki no Yosei-2

Technique:

Shomen Uchi Sankajo Osae-1
Shomen Uchi Sankajo Osae-2
Ushirowaza Ryo Kata Mochi Sankajo Osae-1
Ushirowaza Ryo Hiji Mochi Sankajo Osae-2
Yokomen Uchi Sankajo Nage (Throw forward)
Yokomen Uchi Sankajo Nage (Throw backward)

Note:
Class of 4.

it was ... HOT !!!

I simply thought, people can lose its mind when it gets too hot!
I did not have any energy to even look at the mirror to see how my hair or dogi was messed up during the class. I had to try not to lose my energy to do Aikido, that was all I could care.

However, it was a great class. : )

This Shochugeiko has been very quiet, so keep working on the same partner most of the time, that makes me see that person's improvement very clearly. Its hard to see my own improvements in days but easy to the others.

So, its been quiet but very enjoyable Shochugeiko so far.

248:Thursday 5:45 : August 24, 2006

I worked on some basic stuff by myself, I need to get a lot of my movements back!!

247:Shochugeiko-Day3: Wednesday 7:00 : August 23, 2006

Basic:

Tai no Henko-2

Technique:

Suwariwaza Kata Mochi Nikajo Osae-1
Suwariwaza Hiji Mochi Nikajo Osae-2
Mune Mochi Nikajo Osae-1

Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-1
with HAJIME for several mins
(did not know exact time, did not see the clock)

Ryote Mochi Nikajo Osae-1
Katate Aya Mochi Nikajo Osae-1

Note:
Class of 4.

Another Hard Ass Class...however, the weather was not so bad ; )

Sensei was also doing Hajime, yet we were at the different pace..still he never gave us a second of rest during that several minutes, meaning he kept calling "Hajime" right on time for most of the time. We might have done it once without hearing the call, other than that there was no chance for us to even question when to do, the call kept coming all the times.

246:Wednesday 5:45 : August 23, 2006

Basic:

Hiriki no Yosei-1
Hiriki no Yosei-2

Technique:
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-1
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-2
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-1
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-2

Sankajo Practice

Note:

Class of 2. Lots of Suwari this week : )

I thought I was able to move quite smoothly and precisely with Nikajo and Sankajo.
It was a very smooth and fun class, did not feel "Oh Shxx"...thats rare : ), although it was the second day in a row to work on Shomen Uchi Nikajo, so I guess it proved Training does it all : )

245:Shochugeiko-Day2: Tuesday 7:00 : August 22, 2006

Basic:
Hiriki no Yosei-1 & 2 with partner

Technique:

Kata Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1
Suwariwaza Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae-2
Katate Mochi Ikkajo Nage

Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae-1
and
HAJIME for 4 mins (did not see this coming...)

Note:
Class of 6, HAJIME was hard, very hard. I felt my body falling a part, not having kamae even for a second. We were told to go faster and faster, but my mind was keep questioning..."HOW?" (There could be ways to get faster but not being able to see, is one of the points of doing HAJIME, I guess)



I was so beat...and was still sweating on the train to work.

244:Tuesday 5:45 : August 22, 2006

Basic:

Tai no Henko-1
Tai no Henko-2

Technique:

Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-1&2
Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-1&2

Nikajo Practice


Note:
Class of 3, Stumpy's back on the mat, YEY!

My Nikajo sucks! I try not to worry about it too much, but it doesnt help me getting better at it...Who knows? I may become an expert in ... 20 years! Just keep trying.

I'm more thinking about my 2 movements. There must be something wrong with it. Guess I need to work on Hiriki no Yosei-2 a lot more. If I can feel the crisp turning around with my Hiriki no Yosei-2 during the techniques, something might change.

Less with the arms, more with the hips. : )

243:Shochugeiko-Day1: Monday 7:00 : August 21, 2006

Shochugeiko Started!

Basic:
Kihon Dosa (10 times each?)
Tai no Henko-1 & 2
Hiriki no Yosei-1 & 2

Technique:
Katate Mochi Shiohnage-1
Katate Mochi Shihonage-2
Ryote Mochi Shihonage-1
Ryote Mochi Shihonage-2
Hanmi Handachi Katate Mochi Shihonage-1
Hanmi Handachi Katate Mochi Shihonage-2
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-1
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-2
Shomen Uchi Shiohonage

Note:
Class of 4. Series of Shihonage for Shochugeiko Day1.

2 pairs on the mat, changed up partners and went on and on and on.
Sensei ( or his arm) sweats a lot, yet he keeps moving as if he doesnt know "to be tired".

My biggest focus was not to smash my head on the mat...When I can be in control of my falls, I dont but when I can't be...I do, BANG BANG BANG! It sure hurts badly...
Yet, I think I did better than last week. Still, I was too slow or too fast to fall...

Shihonage can be done with a fluidity (only if you are good!), yet you can practice by stopping every movement. I tried to stay in kamae as much as possible. For me, its better to let my body learn where to be rather than try not to forget what to do...that way it just takes more training, but it works for me : )

242:Saturday 6:15 : August 19, 2006

Basic:

Back Breakfalls (10)
Kihon Dosa

Technique:
Dai Ichi Kihon

Note:
Class of 2, free mat class.

Went through Dai Ichi Kihon...legs did not move I expected, then finally realized that I lost all of my leg movements or even ab muscles by "so" protecting one knee for 2 months!! I've never seriously injured, meaning I did not know how to recover my body not just heal the injury.

Banging my head on the mat so many times with sensei's shihonage was not the only thing I could not do. Well, now I know what to work on...thats better.

Hungry learns more than pain from injury ; )

241: Saturday 11:30 : August 19, 2006

Kokusai Class: Jiyuwaza

Basic:
Hiriki no Yosei-1 & 2

Flip Practice with mats

Technique:

IN: Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Nage
OUT:Shomen Uchi Sankajo Nage
IN: Shomen Uchi Shihonage
OUT:Shomen Uchi Kokyunage (Sumi Otoshi)
IN: Shomen Uchi Hijiate Kokyunage
OUT:Shomen Uchi Kotegaeshi

Note:
Class of 20ish. Jiyuwaza after 2 months was tough in many ways...

Its not like I could not get what I was supposed to do in these Jiyuwaza (except for Kotegaeshi, I'm really bad at it) Its mainly because my body did not remember how to "flip". Still. I was OK for flipping up but to land...so I did not miss going up in the air but did not have a clue how to land when I got up in the air, then I kept splatting my body onto the mat which was very hard to come up back on my feet and also embarrassing...

As a result, I ended up having nasty scratches right beside my elbows for hitting the mat.

I think I lost all my natural flipping movement (I still did not have the way 2 months ago, I even lost what I had then), and not having a way to come up only encouraged me to run out even faster... it was very very hard to go through all patterns as it got added each time until it went up to all 6.

Even though, going back to Kokusai class after 2 months was very fun. We had to go through all 6 patterns in front of everybody at the end. I somehow managed it without making any major mistakes (except for Kotegaeshi) : )

240:Friday 7:00 : August 18, 2006

Basic:
Suriashi
180 Pivot and Shift

Technique:
Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae-1
Ikkajo with one hand (inside hand, outside hand)

Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae-2

Note:
Class of 2.

Back to the training week.

getting up 4:30 for 3 days in a row did not seem too tough to do comparing getting up 3:30 for 3 days in a row as I usually do...since there was no 545 class this week, yet it was tougher than expected. Still, its an achivement for me, small but great to have.

Also, 2 whole classes to train only with sensei. I tried to watch as close as possible for what / how he does, but it seems he's keeping his back straight and little trick here and there...
his hip and back are always together. It doesnt look much but its very hard to do.

239:Thursday 7:00 : August 17, 2006

Basic:

Kihon Dosa (all in right and left)

Technique:
Suwariwasa Katate Mochi Nikajo Osae-1
Katate Mochi Nikajo Osae-1
Suwariwaza Katate Mochi Nikajo Osae-2
Katate Mochi Nikajo Osae-2

Nikajo Practice

Note:
Class of 7, 3 black belts and another Aikido in Sauna...HOT!

Something I noticed yesterday and today...I am not quick enough to do anything.
I am just waiting for it, that makes my movement too late or too soon.

Finally started sitting in seiza after nearly 2 months, my body also needs some catching up : )

238:Wednesday 7:00 : August 16, 2006

Basic:

Kihon Dosa (all for right and left)

Technique:

Hanmi Handachi Shihonage-1
Hanmi Handachi Shihonage-2
Ryote Mochi Shihonage-1
Ryote Mochi Shihonage-2
Hanmi Handachi Ryote Mochi Shihonage
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-1
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-2
Shomen Uchi Shihonage

Note:
Class of 2...one is with broken arm, so it was really only me with sensei for being able to do the techniques...I went speechless towards the end...
Sweat came out from everywhere since it was hot and humid, and the mat was very heavy cuz they did some kind of cleaning which we dont think really effective, and so was I as a result of no training for a week. I kept banging my head onto the mat with sensei's shihonage...

Not really I could do other than staying alive..."back in action ha ha ha" was what sensei said...indeed...

Bon Vacation : お盆休み

Dojo is closed for a week : Aug 9 - 15.

Its one of the weeks in the year when Tokyo gets quiet...
People somehow disappear from the street, train...

However, its HOT,
seriously HOT in Tokyo.

Hope everyone is having a nice off week from Aikido,
see you on 16th!

237: Tuesday 7:00 : August 8, 2006

Basic:

Hiriki no Yosei-1 with partner
Hiriki no Yosei-2 with partner

Technique:
Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-1
Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-2

Katate Mochi Sankajo Nage

Class of 4. Ryote Mochi Sankajo, I suffered as I did the first time. Well, I remember it took so long for me to see what to do with Tenchi Nage, there must be similality with this one, which I dont see it yet...just takes time...

I think...everyone's Aikido is different, of course techniques are called the same, principals are the same, yet its done by people whose with different in body size, shape...etc..
Sometimes its hard since teachers teach their ways and we, the beginners, get confused since it sounds different. This seems like happening everywhere in the world.

Again, I think...the way not to get confused is to find my way. Yeah, right. It takes training, lots of it : )

236: Tuesday 5:45 : August 8, 2006

Basic:

Hiriki no Yosei-1 with partner
Hiriki no Yosei-2 with partner

Technique:
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-2
Kata Mochi Ikkajo Osae-2
Shomen Uchi Hijiate Kokyunage-1

Katate Mochi Jyumonji nage
Kata Mochi Kokyunage
Ryote Mochi Kokyunage
Katate Mochi Kokyunage (neck)

Note:
Class of 3.

Stumpy's Ryote Mochi Kokyunage gave me a big bruise on my leg...he has a reputation being mean...!

235:Saturday 6:15 : August 5, 2006

Basic:

Back Breakfalls (10)
Kihon Dosa Renzoku

Technique:
Katate Mochi Yonkajo Osae-1

Kata Mochi Yonkajo Osae-1
Kata Mochi Yonkajo Osae-2

Kata Mochi Kokyunage (non basic)
Kata Mochi Shihonage (non basic)

Note:
Class of 2. 2 weeks in a row, Sugar and me with sensei. Its a great fun yet its seriously challenging and soooooooooo exhausting!
It takes me a few minutes to go through one technique with each one of big guys and I get almost out of breath...

Yonkajo, Sankajo, Nikajo, Ikkajo...all the aim is the same, get shoulder control by holding different parts of Uke. I think Yonkajo has the least touch, thats why its very hard unless you get the right angle for every move. I may be wrong but thats how I think.

To apply Yonkajo on Stumpy is the hardest...I can see that its even challenging for Chris, and its so clear that he enjoys the challenge. I could say its fun afterwards but not when I'm stuck in the movements...wonder how it would be when he gets 60 years old, I wish I'd be able to say like..."yeah, "HE" is heavy but its easy." ; )

234:Thursday 7:00 : August 3, 2006

Basic:

Shumatsu Dosa-1 & 2

Techinique:

Katate Aya Mochi Nikajo Osae-2

Kata Mochi Shiohonage (non basic)

Note:
Class of 3.

233:Thursday 5:45 : August 3, 2006

Basic:
Shumatsu Dosa with partner

Technique:
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-1

Kata Mochi Shihonage (non basic)

Note:

Class of 3.

232:Wednesday 7:00 : August 2, 2006

Basic:

Kihon Dosa

Technique:

Katate Mochi Shihonage-1
Shomen Uchi Shomen Iriminage-2
Ryote Mochi Tenchinage-1
Yokomen Uchi Sankajo Osae-2

Note:
Class of 3.

231:Wednesday 5:45 : August 2, 2006

Basic:

Hiriki no Yosei-1 with partner
Hiriki no Yosei-2 with partner

Technique:
Yokomen Uchi Shomen Iriminage-2
Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-1
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-1

Note:
Class of 2.

230:Tuesday 7:00 : August 1, 2006

Basic:

Back Breakfalls (10)
Jumpy Back Breakfalls (10)

Forward Rolling Breakfalls
Back Rollking Breakfalls

Kihon Dosa (right and left)

Tai no Henko-1 & 2
Hiriki no Yosei-1 & 2

Technique:

Shomen Uchi Hijishime-1
Shomen Uchi Hijishime-2

Shomen Uchi Hijiate Kokyunage-1 (non basic)
Shomen Uchi Hijiate Kokyunage-1 (basic)


Note:

Class of 5, all HIJI techniques.

I have to admit that I dislike Hijishime less since I started noticing the similarity with Ikkajo.
Still, its not easy to keep hips straight and stay in the balance.

Working on Rolls/Flips. I think, its a great way to use the hand to keep the distance from the mat before hitting it. Then, you can make a nice long line to land. I think.

229:Tuesday 5:45 : August 1, 2006

Basic:

Tai no Henko-1 with partner
Tai no Henko-2 with partner

Technique:

Katate Mochi Sokumen Iriminage-1
Shomen Uchi Sokumen Iriminage-2
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sokumen Iriminage-1

Note:
Class of 4 with Stumpy! : )

I guess we are starting over again from Sokumen Irimianage, or its randomly chosen by chance.
It really doesnt need power if you can get the angle and timing right.

It was fine Sokumen Class, still I need to work on my breakfalling.