Another season of Aikikai ends in disappointment

July 2014

Finished my annual Aikido season(6 months) in June, disappointed in myself and the club. I was hoping to do another grading but was messed around with the recommendation. I had discussed the recommendation at the start of my season (Jan) and I thought it was approved.  Unfortunately he wasn’t present to sign my papers the week before grading and didn’t turn up to the grading. Having to run around to find someone to sign on the day was quite embarrassing. I felt a discrimination and treated with no regard. I had not organised anyone else. Considering I arrange my timetable to attend his class weekly, I would expect some respect as an adult and having trained with this club for over 15yrs, known them 25 yrs. Respect due  would be to discuss the matter. I wont be attending his classes again. I train regularly, at least twice a week for double classes. For the last month before the grading, I trained up to 4 times a week, double classes.

Aikikai has a weird way of grading people. You have to put yourself forward and request to grade. No-one encourages you and most feedback is derogatory rather than beneficial. I wonder if that’s the way of the warrior, being a masculine domain. I consider myself quite proficient at this martial art. Often when I train with people I feel they perform the orchestrated movements but have no control over their uke (opponent). Admittedly, to perform Aikido, there needs to be a degree of co-operation.  It is not a self defence or for street fighting. It is truly an art form derived from the battle field of samurais with swords. I guess that’s what I love about it; capturing people’s energy and disposing of them. I look for the martial, control and combat in the techniques. I feel in control.

Went to Mount Hotham weapons training in April 2014

A poem for  the Hotham sunrise training

And so once again upon mountain summit

the warriors swing swords and strike sticks

 in orchestrated combat for glory of the samurai

slicing thru the clouds along forsaken ground

ascending, descending over clumps of grass, furrows

perhaps stepping over burrows

 in chase of their uke

who’s at their swords mercy

They brave the cold and dark ending night

trampling through the breath of a  blowing wind

 to roost in silent meditation

hoping for a glimpse at the sungod’s wake of day

But the fog smothers the dawn peek into a bed of smoke

upon a sheltered slope we engage in pretend battle

aikidoka dont bear their chest this year

rather shed the coldbite

sipping delightful red wine

reminince in the cosy shelley

Russian Systema

May 2013 I was in Siberia and trained Russian Systema.
This is a report that I wrote for the club

Russian Sistema

I have been very fortunate to train with Dimtri's Skogorev’s club

Training Systema in it's country of origin was of great value to my understanding of this combat system.

Background information on it's origin and lineage provided a history of the contemporary practices and masters

Tthe concept of the wave to generate energy and power has advanced  further an understanding, particularly of;

 1/ throwing strikes with the wave produced from the hips through the body core to the limbs (arms and legs) in fast and effective strike response.

2/ keeping limbs relaxed so they could be whipped out by the wave

3/allowing energy to be absorbed by the body and transferring it to attack

 focus of  training in Novosibirsk

∞musclular development and core strength was central to the fitness component of training

∞rolling and moving along the ground

∞responding to knife attacks and disarmament of opponent

∞defending attacks by a series of offensive movements

Awareness of improving certain skills

Training on a wooden floor brought  to mind .the importance of control in rolling rather than leaping into a roll and banging onto the floor . Bruising indicated where the floor was hit too hard

Continuous movement of lower arm from the elbow can generate strikes from many directions.

Covering of the opponents fist with your hand  gives an advantage to return a strike.

 The students at Novosibirsk were Inclusive and allowed training to your capacity. I received many gifts which made me feel appreciated and welcomed.

Accept my gratitude for allowing my participation.

Anita