Aikido Bukou Forums / General / General Discussion

Sosa Video

jgapen — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:32:04 GMT

International Aikido Association Headquarters Dojo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPKekLeAPJE

New MCFM Dojo

Onikoroshi — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:38:00 GMT

Well it looks like we are about 1.5 weeks out from being in the new space. (I can't wait till its done!!)

Make sure to make a trip over to check it out after Memorial Day.

Spring Seminar

abzmt — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:01:24 GMT

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for a GREAT seminar! We covered alot of stuff that I am sure will have my brain confused for quite a while. Congratulations to Hanson sensei on his Nidan. Faith sure is lucky to be marrying such a stud.

I had the opportunity to be uke for Bonifay sensei for a few techniques. As I was going up for one of these I heard Ellefson Sensei say "enjoy". It didn't dawn on me at the time what he meant but last night while working on a six pack (of beer not my abs) I realized what he was saying. I can't put it into words but those of you that had the opportunity know what I mean. It makes you want to be better. Thats the aikidoka I want to be, and I'm not just talking technique. I may not get all the way there, but with your help, I may get halfway. Thanks again everyone I had a blast!

Tip on washing your Gi

Tristan — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:36:35 GMT

A common problem with the heavyweight gi we use in aikido is that it is all cotton and tends to shrink a ridiculous amount in the dryer. On my first gi, I think it shrunk about a full size every time I put it in the dryer (even on just a warm setting). So, I thought I'd post this to help folks before they learn the hard way.

Air drying left it with the feel of a slightly worn cardboard box: very uncomfortable!

The best way I have found to dry a gi with minimal shrinkage is to let it air dry, then once it is dry throw it in the dryer on air (no heat) for about 10 minutes to soften it up. This keeps the fabric soft without having the gi end up the size of one of Gabe's t-shirts.

Now I'm on gi #3, #4, and #5, I can attest that this works nicely. Oh yeah - I've also found that rotating through more than one gi is particularly helpful. It can take a day or more to air dry, so having one to use in the meantime is handy. It saves you from having to carefully time when the washings.

You shouldn't be skipping class because your gi isn't wearable!

Okumura Seminar Review

Tristan — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:29:22 GMT

I really like aikido seminars, and this one was no different. Okumura Shihan is a charming man and an enlightening teacher. He has a smooth and powerful style, which I found to be a bit surprising considering his aikikai background.

The day started on Saturday with a little more than an hour devoted to aiki-taiso, a number of which I had never experienced before. He led us through shiho and happo tenkan undo and sayu undo. Very interesting!

Probably the most remarkable warmup of the morning was done from the knees (although standing on your knees, not sitting back), where uke attacks shomenuchi and nage executes ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo and yonkyo - all in order. It was a great exercise in switching from one lock to the next smoothly. Doing so from your knees showed you very clearly when you overextended.

We went on to study a number of sayunage techniques from shomenuchi. He also showed an intruiging version of ryote tori tenshinage. There was also a great pin he showed us from reverse kotegaeshi.

I found myself hoping Sunday morning's classes would be a little easier, as my knees were very sore from the previous day. No such luck. Instead, he got into some pretty juicy stuff, including a great shomenuchi ikkyo to sankyo transition, including a fantastic rollover.

We worked on transitions from ikkyo to both sankyo and nikkyo, as well as changes you can use for much taller ukes.

We also tried an interesting variant of kokyudosa, where you started back to back with your partner. One would say 'go' and you would turn around and try to apply your center to his. It added a whole new level of difficulty.

Lastly, Okumura Shihan went over futari waza, which I enjoyed a lot.

The last bit of Saturday's classes were followed by three belt tests: sankyu, shodan and nidan. They differed from our belt tests by a bit, but I'll save my comments on those for conversation.

Interestingly, I found that the only belt colors present (other than me) were black and white. Ikkyu would wear white belts, and some wore hakama and others did not. Upon asking, I discovered that the gentleman wearing hakama who was ikkyu level was an assistant instructor. It seemed then that hakama were reserved for those who instruct there.

Okumura Shihan is a wonderful teacher, and filled with positive energy. His hands are remarkably fast and strong, and move very decisively. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity of exposure to his teaching. Now that I have seen a handful of senior instructors, I am consistently impressed at their attitudes. Many martial arts are filled with old, venerable and kinda crabby or arrogant people at the top. Aikido distinguishes itself by differing in almost every way from this, and I'm very glad for it.

New Folks

abzmt — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 08:05:35 GMT

I just want to welcome all the new folks that have joined our little family recently. Its great to see so many new faces. Welcome and enjoy your training. Just remember to avoid that Adam guy and make sure to say Hi to Janice she's the best and oh so funny. But watch out or she'll blast you with a shihonage. Lighting quick she is!!

Good action movie

dangerwit — Tue, 23 May 2006 22:36:07 GMT

I've just watched about 35 minutes of Ong-Bak: Thai Warrior and the fighting is pretty amazing, at least as good as a Jackie C flick, I'd say much better and definitely satisfying.

The story is typical, but not terrible. It centers around a villager trained in muay thai who is sent to retrieve the head of a statue, "Ong-Bak". It's subtitled, but again -- the fight and chase scenes are nothing short of absolutely amazing.

The main actor, Tony Jaa, presents a very raw style, faster and more acrobatic than Jet or Jackie, and stronger than most. Prolific use of elbows, knees, and moves you've just never seen before on the screen. Freakin' fun.

Go rent it or grab it on a movie channel.

*Phil

Unusual defense for Kyushojutsu

Tristan — Fri, 12 May 2006 07:11:52 GMT

You guys gotta see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-x4iJM2aU4&search=dillman

Seminar Pictures?

Carl — Mon, 01 May 2006 11:03:52 GMT

I'm very excited to see them posted when you get a chance, Phil Sensei!

The Seminar

dangerwit — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 19:43:28 GMT

Well, the semianr for April 06 is over. I've seen a lot of interesting movements, heard some amazing ideas, and fallen asleep on my living room floor twice without really knowing when. What did you guys get out of it specifically? What was that one or two thing(s) you especially enjoyed?

*Phil

New student in Enso: Casey

dangerwit — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 17:54:48 GMT

Please make our newest member, Casey, feel right at home. He started with the group on Friday, and you will be seeing more of him in the coming weeks. Thanks!

*Phil

Congratulations!

kdsefton — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 08:34:18 GMT

Congratulations to both Faith and Chris on their tests! Also Congratualtions to Cory and Faith. Thanks for letting us all be a part of your special event!

random babbeling

abzmt — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 05:59:45 GMT

{warning semi mushy crap alert} ok I may be an idiot but wasn't last night's (Thursday Mar 9) class super great? Phil Sensei had really interesting exercises, ie weight underside, great techniques were taught, and made some new friends. The only way that it could of been better, personally, is if Jessica Alba would have been waiting for me in my drive way with a beer. I guess what I'm saying is thanks to everyone for what we have and a special Thanks to Phil for making it happen. {end mushy crap alert} Tristan and Kevin are testing tonight Good Luck Gentlemen! Just to let you know that if I am uke I will give it my all so be ready to take a punch (just kidding or am I?) See ya tonight!

Adam

Real World Aikido

Tristan — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 07:18:30 GMT

Ok, so maybe sword disarm practice is something that could be useful:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/03/08/4_charged_with_robbing_store_with_sword/

Website links

dangerwit — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 05:48:52 GMT

I've been hearing a report of not being able to get to the Enso site from the Bukou website. Does anyone else have trouble getting to Enso from the "Enso Dojo" link on the bukou main page, or via "Classes->Aikido->Burnsville, MN"? Could someone give it a try and report in on this thread?

If you have trouble, let me know the browser you use.

Thanks!

Happy New Year!

dangerwit — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 02:11:36 GMT

WOW! The difference a year can make! We saw a lot happening in 2005 with our two groups, had some great seminars, and even managed 2 dojo changes without giving any senseis ulcers.

We added quite a few new people to our groups, and I'm betting we're going even more in 2006. We're very grateful for all of our new folks who joined, and don't ever doubt that when we smack you around (you know who you are).

From my standpoint, you will see a more intense focus on dojo etiquette and behavior -- as we welcome new people in, this becomes extremely important. On the Enso website, I stress treating people like adults, and I believe that is working well in most cases. Please take a moment to refocus and remember why you are in the dojo: to train in aikido. I owe it to you folks to embody this, you each owe it to your classmates and instructors, and most of all, you owe it to yourself. I will be reinforcing this with a new policy I will introduce to the senior folks privately.

We did some great PR stuff down here, had some good parties, and 2006 won't be any different. You all work hard at your training, no question, and I expect that will continue in the new year.

Take care! See you on the mats.

*Phil

Knee Pads?

Carl — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 22:04:50 GMT

Tonight, I wore kneepads to class for the first time and I was actually able to shikko.

I have found that my knees are more sensitive than most people especially when it comes to any sort of impact whatsoever.

In all honesty, I'd rather not wear them, but I'd also like to be able to still practice aikido when I'm 60.

... Or, its just that my ukemi is really just THAT bad.

Clip: Off topic

dangerwit — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 20:49:51 GMT

...and this is PRECISELY why Family Guy will be one of the best cartoons for my generation. Ever.

http://www.gamesrev.net/fgpeanut.wmv

*Phil

Forums issue

dangerwit — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 23:19:53 GMT

There was a problem logging into the forums today and last night. If you use cookies (you select "Remember Me" at the login screen), you didn't see this problem.

I upgraded some of our website's components, but neglected to re-install the custom authentication piece I wrote a while back. This didn't affect anything at the MCFM site. Sorry for any inconvenience folks.

*Phil

would there be aikido if...

abzmt — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 06:25:03 GMT

Last night I was thinking about Aikido and O'Sensei and was wondering that if O'Sensei had not been born into a privileged family would there be aikido? Think about it. If he was born into a poor family, he wouldn't of had the opportunities to travel, study and develop this art. Do you think aikido just wouldn't of been developed or is it something that would of come about in a different way?

Just thinking,

Adam

Reporting in from Tokyo

Tristan — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 12:39:09 GMT

Konnichi wa, everyone!

My jet lag has me up in the middle of the night here, so I thought I'd drop a note and ~~gloat~~ say hi. The trip was ridiculously long but I'm here and Tokyo is pretty amazing, at least what I could see of it in the dark and through droopy eyelids. I did get to see Siberian mountain ranges during the flight.

We've got Mt. Fuji (a full climb), bamboo forests, the Imperial Gardens, kabuki theatre, and of course two aikido dojos to visit for training on the schedule. I should barely be alive by the time I get to the airport for the return trip. As for my body over the next week, I think the term 'drive it like you stole it' will definitely apply.

Donations to charity

dangerwit — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 22:00:40 GMT

Many of you have donated for the dog walk, and I'm impressed with your graciousness. For those who have sponsored money or time, please talk a bit here about why you did.

*Phil

Can ya, can ya?

dangerwit — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 00:28:18 GMT

So can y'all post now? Sound off like you got a pair.

Oh, and edit your profile when you can, under "Control Panel". Add whatever you like to your personal info.

Update on things

dangerwit — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 08:55:48 GMT

My activity on the sites will be limited in the coming weeks, and I'm putting on hold some of my to-dos for our internet site in general, as I am moving out of NWA into a new position in another company. Of course, classes won't suffer, and, as a bonus, it sounds like no more pager/after-hours support for me.

I think our online community is growing well, and you can expect to see more and more of our group (Enso and MCFM) coming online. If there are any issues, send me a Private Message ("PM") here, or drop me an email.

Thanks,
*Phil