Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 11:47:27 -0500
From: Scott E Crawford
Well all, I'll just add my thoughts here, and try not to repeat Susi
and Chuck too much.
Seminar Report: Indy-Area Aikido-L New Year's Mini-Gasshuku, 1/30/99
Yee hah! What a hoot! An absolutely fantastic time! The only
complaint I can really make is that it just wasn't long enough! There
was so much to do and see, we couldn't pack it into 4 hours.
Session #1: Yoshinkan Kihon Dosa (Basic Movements)
First off, let me say "Sorry about that!". I didn't cover exactly what I
wanted to in that session. Time just sorta flew by. My original idea was to
teach a couple of basic movements (like I did), and then show how we in the
Yoshinkan take pieces of several basic movements and string them together into
a technique. Just didn't get to that part.
[For the record, if you put the preparatory step of the 2nd movement we did
(hiriki no yosei ni) together with two 180-degree pivots, you get a really
nice kotegashi... I'll show y'all what I mean some time.]
So anyway, with the warm-ups taking 20-25 minutes or so, that only left me
about 25-30 minutes to cover what I wanted to. Next time, I'll watch the
clock more carefully...
Susie wrote:
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) :^)
That's OK, it took until warm-ups were over before my voice was working
right, anyway...
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
Susie, let me know what you're referring to, and I'll try to write something
up. Or, I'll send you an *exclusive* video for your perusal.
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!
I guess I should have mentioned that we do it that way, too. It's optional
whether you come up with one foot in front or "hop" up with both together.
The trick, though, is to make sure your feet are fairly wide apart when you
come up. That's easier for women to do, I think, considering their hip
structure...
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! :^)
Yame! It means "stop". Or something like that. I only speak
aikido-Japanese! ;^) Besides, since we Yoshinkan'ers had everyone else
outnumbered, one got the best effect by saying what they were used to
hearing. That's our responsibility to conform to you, however.
You were teaching!
Like we always say, though, we may use different terms and practice
different variations of techniques, but "it's all aikido!". I think
this seminar proved that!
Session #2: ASU bokken take-aways
Bokken take-aways are always great fun to do. I particularly liked Sean's
comment about getting off the line "by the width of a piece of paper". It
was nice to change from doing basics to actually tossing uke around a bit.
A very nice change of pace.
Susie, you were too worried about getting up there and teaching. You and
Sean both did a great job! You kept the class moving at a nice pace, and
really loosened us up nicely.
As a contrast, it was good to see other style's ways of using the bokken.
Our strikes are typically very static; we just shuffle in and strike. The
ASU style was a bit more flowing, taking two steps with the strike. Also,
you held the bokken by your back leg sometimes (no, I don't know the name
for it). We don't do that in Yoshinkan, so I particularly enjoyed
experiencing the differences.
Session #3: Jiyushinkai Releases Kata
Paul's session was a return back to a bit more structured set of movements.
Again, a nice change of pace after the ASU free-flowing stuff. We got
about halfway through the pattern before time got the better of us.
I found many of the Jiyushinkan movements to be somewhat similar to
Yoshinkan. Not exactly so, but it seemed to emphasize "precise" first,
and then added on "free-flowing", not unlike my view of Yoshinkan. Call
it an engineer's way of thinking, but it felt pretty comfortable to me.
Not that I actually "got it" or anything, but came fairly close.
Chuck is right about leaving your kidneys exposed, though. Could be
downright devastating if you wanted it to be. It was a nice touch for
Paul to show some of the kata with only one finger on one finger contact.
Really forces tori/nage/shite to *feel* uke and maintain a connection.
Session #4: Kokoro Ryu Koshinages and Jo-tai-ken Katas
For me, this was the highlight of the seminar. Chuck really has a
comfortable teaching style that makes class a helluva good time. We got
to see a lot of familiar things from a different perspective. Gave me a
new outlook on a lot of things, and I know others felt the same. Great fun.
Great fun, despite (or because of) the fact that he named me "pet uke" for
the koshinages. Did I mention that we don't *do* koshinages in Yoshinkan?
The first one I ever saw in person was when Chuck threw me on my fanny ten
or twenty times while demonstrating it for the seminar. What a rush!
Sooner or later, we all got the idea, though. However, I don't think anyone
ever koshi'ed Berk. You see, Berk is about 6' 8" or so, and damned flexible.
By the time you were about to turn him over, he was already leaning over your
shoulder, doing a handstand.
(That may not be the technique of choice to use on him...)
We also covered a very nice jo-tai-ken kata. Chuck did a great job getting
us to understand the movements -- and to keep the "pointy end" of the jo at
the right side of the technique. We broke up into pairs and tried it out on
each other. Nifty stuff!
Post-Training Merriment: La Chica's
Slooooooooow service. It's a good thing we had so much to talk about. Susie
already mentioned the wonderful magic show performed by Terry Veckey, one of
our yudansha. How *did* he get them damn billiard balls under there, anyway?
Lest we forget, Terry named the card Chuck Gordon picked ("Alice"), but
couldn't get anyone to give him a $20 bill. It's no wonder. Anyone up for
some aiki-arm-wrestling? No, don't ask. If you weren't there, you'll just
have to see it next time.
Speaking of next time...
Everyone I talked to afterwards was absolutely elated with the seminar.
Congratulations, kudos, and thank you's to all the organizers from everyone
that spoke with me. We've got to do this more often. I think there was a
consensus from the attendees that it was a fantastic training session, good
camaraderie, and a helluva lotta fun. We should try to do it regularly.
Oh yes, one last thing... Susie threatened to kick my butt when we
met for the seminar. Nyah, nyah, you missed me! I just *knew* you
would scurry away when it came time to put your koshi where your mouth
is! [Kidding, just kidding... please don't hurt me!] Besides, like
Chuck said... he did a fine job kicking my butt for you. And a fine
butt-kicking it was!
Thanks again to all for coming. Let's do it again real soon!
Scott
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