From: Simon Watkins <swatkins@BLUEYONDER.CO.UK>
Subject: European seminar Saturday.
Just big grins thats what I remember. It was fun! Fun! FUN!
There were some last minute changes to the teaching as Carol and John
could not make it due to John breaking his arm. But Justin cope like a
swan. gliding smoothly along while never letting us see his feet
paddling like mad below the water.
After the welcome Eva led the warm up. I could see her legs shake:^)
Then Sensei Jack Poole told us that our partner always has the knife
in the other hand. I spent ages trying to get his kotegaeshi pin to
work. Next we came to Mike Cummins showing us what to do when Our
partner grabs the short end of the Jo. It all looked pretty obvious
but it did not feel it. I struggled to intergrate stuff.
So to food and what a spread! Justin? what was the name of the woman
who organised all I cant remember it was excellent please thank her
again.
Then after the warm up. umm I might have the order confused but I
think we had James Baldwin who gave us Ki aikido 101. Some ki
exercises and how the relate to techniques. A nice introduction to how
the bits fit together.
Followed by Justin showed us all a how to do Yoshinkan. Now that I am
an expert let me say it is bloody difficult. The body position is very
precise. Gosh I bet thats a major revelation for you all. You
position yourself so you are unstoppable then you dont stop.
After Justin's demonstration that tori oops shi'te is the boss. We
had Karlo showing us that nage and uke work together. Big flowing
circular stuff. Jack Poole closed the afternoon by saying that was
what aikdo was about, harmony. Time for a break Mmm food Did I say
Shinwakai did us proud? Then Ruth with Shiatsu just what we needed
before... Food, but before that I grabbed Dave Findlay. and he took
me through the randori no kata.so I can at least give the semblance of
being knowledgable. They were more or less what I expected. Though I
was glad to find gedan ate was not as gedan as I feared.
Then after eating thanks for the chocolate cake you made Eva . James
led a expedition into the dojo where they stayed for some time. I
headed for bed at 12:30 being a natural born fogey but the sound of
their practise kept me awake for a while at least:^). and that was
just the Saturday.
European seminar Sunday.
We arose to greet the dawn with a cheery shout. well actually I
slobbed around unshaven until we were dragged reluctant on to the mat
a quarter of an hour late.
Andrew had planned an hour of Koshinage but something about our manner
discouraged him I cant imagine what. Instead we were asked to touch
each others magic crystal balls. to find the exact point of
kuzuchi. It is we learned uke who decides what happens.he illustrated
this with kaitenage which emerged gradually from uke's choices as to
where to move next.
Marill Poole came next I think, she was telling us that our kamae was
our strength uke moved as he wanted if our position and kamae was
strong we would be able to do something.takeing us nicely back to and
so to Dave Findlay. He got us moving and doing something that
approximated to two randori techniques. Handed out some umm tanto and
let us get on with it. So much fun he was applauded..
Then food. Marill asked who Giles was when people speculated as to the
pain involved in his session. "Him? But he is a pussycat!" She
said. I said "he might be gentle but his style had a reputation for
pain."
So to the mat. With Giles. Of course all the names were different but
you could see the aiki roots. like watching aikido through distorting
glass. With Giles there was no doubt who was in charge and it wasnt
uke. After the sanden(?) demo Marill called "you were right." She
seemed to be wandering the floor watching what was happening. later
she came up to me and said "I love this. I dont let anyone do it to
me,but I love this." We finished with some people showing things they
had picked up. A version of the Nikkyo come along where uke thumb is
grabbed. was one. The other two umm then defense against bites. and
finally umm nope my brain has deserted me.
Thanks again to everyone for a great time. please thank Lou for the
lift to the station.
Oh and a special thank you to all the people I partnered for not
mentioning my gi on the second day. I left the scond one at home!! yes
that was why I spent al my time pracising by the open doors.
Simon
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