I was a little dubious when one session one of the Senpagi's decided it was time to put the 'martial' back into our Aikido. I will be honest, I really, really had no idea what he meant. I mean, I'm not violent!, I don't like hurting folk (honest). Anyway, at the session he brings out punch pads. Okay.. now what?
Turns out we were to work on punches. Yay! I had had a really lousily day at work and it felt real good to get some frustration out of my system. Once we'd done that, we worked on shomenouti strikes (strike to top of head) right and left handed. Only were told 'strike like you really mean it', okay...but I thought Aikido was not about aggression. But then I realised what they were getting at...its easier to do techniques when Uke strikes well and is reasonably compliant then to just edge forward, arm out nervously. It was a kinda revelation for me to realise that you could have some hardness in technique but without being aggressive.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Chapter 14: Ninandori...how fast can you go?
Ninandori for me was always about worrying whether I can breakfall correctly and quickly enough to actually get back up after every technique (harder than actually the technique if you ask me). So, imagine my sheer panic when I realised for one two hour session we would be learning and doing Ninandori. Eek!
I actually like Ninandori in a strange sort of way, its a bit like the 'Fast and the Furious' cut down into thirty seconds depending on who the Tori is at the time. But I didn't have a clue how to survive...I mean, two on one is hardly fair right?
We started off quite gently working on how to shorten techniques and showed them to the rest of the club. Then we partnered off for Ninandori....
It was really really great. In the end, against a dan and 1st Kyu I managed 16 techniques in thrity seconds a personal best for me. Now, its their turn...tatanmi at break neck speed here I come!
I actually like Ninandori in a strange sort of way, its a bit like the 'Fast and the Furious' cut down into thirty seconds depending on who the Tori is at the time. But I didn't have a clue how to survive...I mean, two on one is hardly fair right?
We started off quite gently working on how to shorten techniques and showed them to the rest of the club. Then we partnered off for Ninandori....
It was really really great. In the end, against a dan and 1st Kyu I managed 16 techniques in thrity seconds a personal best for me. Now, its their turn...tatanmi at break neck speed here I come!
Saturday, 28 April 2007
Chapter 13: The dreaded date for grading had arrived...
Its hard to believe that this time last year I was panicking about my first grading to White belt and now I was to grade for Orange... eek!
The only thing that I was looking forward to was having some circulation in my hands and feet as my last grading was in October and it was freezing!
So I turned up nice and early, purly to quell the butterflies zooming around at supersonic speed in my stomach to find the three grading examiners had decided on wearing Hakkanmas for the evening. Now don't get me wrong I like Hakkanmas, but the fact is a scary black belt becomes a really really scary black belt once they put on a Hakkanma.
Anyway, to cut to the chase so to speak, I did it! I graded to Orange, Yipee! I was aching all over, dripping like tap with sweat and covered in brusies, but I don't care, I did it!
The only thing that I was looking forward to was having some circulation in my hands and feet as my last grading was in October and it was freezing!
So I turned up nice and early, purly to quell the butterflies zooming around at supersonic speed in my stomach to find the three grading examiners had decided on wearing Hakkanmas for the evening. Now don't get me wrong I like Hakkanmas, but the fact is a scary black belt becomes a really really scary black belt once they put on a Hakkanma.
Anyway, to cut to the chase so to speak, I did it! I graded to Orange, Yipee! I was aching all over, dripping like tap with sweat and covered in brusies, but I don't care, I did it!
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