Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 01:59:59 -0500
From: Susan Mellott
Hey all!
We just got back from the this and we had a wonderful time and
really enjoyed meeting and training with everyone. Here is an
"off-the-cuff" overview (from an ASU perspective).
Programme
Session 1
Yoshinkan, warm-up and basics
Scott led us thru the Yoshinkan warm-ups and basic solo
movements. We got to count out loud (Scott: "ichi, ni!" Us:
"San, Shi!" etc.) which completely completely confused Sean who
kept counting with Scott, realizing his mistake, stopping when we
were supposed to be counting, etc. *I*, on the other hand, got
the counting down pat. (while flubbing up the actual movements,
but hey, you can't have everything) :^)
The warm-ups were very interesting and unfortunately we didn't
get them video-taped. Some of the movements were new to us and I
would have liked to see them again. One thing that was different
for us was the back rolls (back breakfalls). We (ASU) tuck one
leg, roll back, switch legs and get up with that foot in front
(slightly crossed). Scott had us roll straight back with both
legs up and then come back to standing position with both feet
square in front. It's harder than it sounds!
The basic solo techniques were done very precisely and had very
specific movements, feet positions and hand placement. Coming
from a more "free form" style, this was an interesting challenge
for us and we really enjoying working on the precision of each
movement. Scott also explained and demonstrated the reasons for
each movement and hand position. Some of it was similar to
things we do, such as tenkan, but much more precise.
The "Osu!" was a surprise at first as we normally say "Hai", but
we got in the swing of things. It was interesting to see the
different ways of bowing in and the different phrases that are
used. I don't know what all was being said (it was in Japanese
and unfamiliar to me) but it sounded good! :^)
Session 2
Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, bokken take-aways
This was Sean and my session so I'll let other people comment on
their impressions. (be kind... :^) I took the first 1/2 hr and
Sean did the second. I did a couple of bokken take-aways from a
shomen strike and Sean did some take-aways from a tsuki. We
thought we'd get the ball (uke) rolling... :^)
We kept yelling "Hai!" when we wanted to move to the next
technique (which is how we end a technique) and everyone just
looked at us and kept training. So we had to keep getting
prompted on the word to use to stop the technique.
Unfortunately, I still don't remember what it was. I had other
things on my mind at the time though so that just wasn't
sticking. :^) We both tried to remember on the drive home, but
just couldn't. So Scott, what *was* it we were saying?
Session 3
Jiyushinkai, Releases Kata
Paul taught this. As I understand it (things were still in sort of a
haze from teaching the prior session), they are called release
techniques because they are based on using the uke's attack (wrist
grab) to redirect uke (ie. the push of the attack towards your center
is turned into an overbalancing/unbalancing by leading them slightly
in the direction they are attacking and then redirecting them to where
you want them to go. (disclaimer: Paul should really explain this,
this is only my hazy recollection).
He started with a cross-hand attack and then added another. Then
he added 2 more similar attacks from a same-side hand attack. We
built on them and practiced the first, then the first and second,
then all four at once which was quite a challenge to remember.
It was done from a normal walking position (more parallel stance
and then just stepping forward with one foot, but not into hanmi)
which took a little getting used to (as we almost always are in
hanmi). It was very clear that you were leading uke into
stepping with the foot you wanted them to step with and that you
had control of where they were going and what they were doing (at
least when he did it :^) We also practiced them at the end with
just using the palm or a finger to direct uke.
I believe he called either uke or nage (in our terminology)
"tori" which I've heard before, but I don't remember now which
one it was. Just a another little "differences" fact.
Session 4
Kokoro Ryu, koshinages and jo-tai-ken kata
Chuck taught this session. He started out with a "simple" throw
(a koshinage!) from a two-handed shoulder grab. It had a very
effective "elbow in your throat" part as you were loading uke.
Then we moved on to the infamous Chuck throw that I don't know
the name of, but it was the one we did at the last get-together
when Cady was there. Yow! It definitely rattles your bones!
Especially when Chuck does it. He threw me once and even though
I knew what was coming (or maybe *because* I knew what was
coming!) it was quite a landing.
I know we discussed this throw on the list before. I think I may
have been confused before (did I say the attack was a tsuki?),
but the attack was a two-hand grab. Then you duck under one arm
with a step on the outside foot, wrap the inside arm around the
back of uke's waist, reach the free hand down and lock the knee,
turn with the hips and throw them up and over. Believe me, it is
a devastating throw. Sean was training with a madman :^) (who
had trained with Chuck before) and they were going great guns.
Sean was praying for Chuck to move on to the jo kata which
thankfully, he did next. :^)
We went thru 2 jo kata. They were solo techniques, but they had
an unseen (when done solo) partner with a bokken doing the other
half of the technique. Chuck showed us the technique solo and
with a partner. We practiced mainly solo, but Sean and I paired
up for the second kata to try it with both sides. It was very
interesting and I hope we can remember it until Monday so we can
show it to the rest of our dojo.
Apre-shugyo
We all went to La Chica's (or something like that) for food and
drinks. We were mightily entertained by one of the dojo members
who works there as a magician (and a very good one I might add).
It was also his birthday. Unfortunately he had to work and
didn't get to train or have dinner with us. But we did get to
see his tricks and meet "Alice" :^) (in one of his card tricks he
had named each of the cards)
We had a great time chatting with everyone, including Sharon
Minskey (sp?) from the Ki Society who had just gotten back from
Australia. We talked styles and testing procedures and mats and
just about everything else you can think of. We left about 9pm
to drive home.
In conclusion
We all had a great time trying out each other styles and getting
to know each other. Unfortunately, I didn't get to kick Scott's
butt, but maybe next time... ;^) And next time Sharon may show
us some Ki Society techniques as well. We all had different
styles and we all did aikido! It was great and we are looking
forward to the next get-together. I thought it very successfully
started building bonds between our various dojos.
Susie
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