Yoshinkan Aikido

A training journal of my experiences at the Brisbane Dojo of Yoshinkan Aikido

April 25, 2003

tyrone.id.au
Training has recommenced this week after Easter holidays.

We have done a kokyu breath throw which is very difficult to perform. It is important to shift the balance of uke before performing the throw and this is achieved purely through technique, not muscle power. I have noticed that if your elbows or hips are not positioned correctly it is impossible to perform the technique correctly. I think it will be many years before I perfect this technique. Sensei seems to move so effortlessly yet his uke hits the mats with such force.

Last night we worked on nikajo again. What a devastating technique!!!! It is amazing how once the wrist and elbow are locked it is impossible to resist against this lock. The pain is intense and you must go down. I enjoy performing this lock and I have taken to it quite quickly.

Shinsa training starts on Saturday. My first grading will be in a week's time. OSU.

April 21, 2003

I have decided to return to Aikido training!!!
It was exciting to walk into the Yoshinkan dojo, immediately I could smell the sweat and feel the body heat of people training hard.
Upon my first visit I observed an advanced class preparing for a grading and this was enough to convince myself to return to training.

It has been two weeks into training and I am finding classes to be fast paced and challenging. Techniques covered have been shiho-nage, kote-gaeshi, nikajo osae and sankajo osae.
The ukemi is different to what I have done before and I am having to rediscover my co-ordination in order to practice it properly. But it is coming together, slowly.

Kihon dosa is great!!!! I enjoy the discipline of maintaining balance and posture and I can feel the power that kihon dosa develops.
At the moment the dojo is closed for the Easter holidays, so I have decided to start a journal of my training. Something that I can look back on in the future to see if I really do understand as much as what I think I do and to observe how my training will develop.
If you are interested, the dojo is located at Brisbane, Australia.

I can't wait to get back to the dojo. Yoshinkan aikido is addictive. OSU.