Editors Note: This is the fifth in an eight part series discussing past seminars at our school. The entire series can be found under the video category.
Yes, I know these videos weren’t taken at our school. I’m including them because Dee took ukemi, and frankly, because this was an awesome seminar.
First, some background. The seminar took place in 2003 at the Aikido Center of Atlanta, an absolutely gorgeous dojo located in Avondale Estates, Georgia. (They also have a sister dojo in Savannah, which Dee and I visited in 2007). If you haven’t trained there, allow me to set the scene. Picture a space with stone walls, beautiful wood accents, and a magnificent wooden door. Think castle, writ small.
Some more background. One of our instructors, John Miller, started his training there, (albeit in a different location), under Rodney Grantham Sensei. And two of our earliest students, Chris and Tammy, were members of the dojo for a while. Dee and I stayed with them during the seminar.
A few more details, for our students. This was the seminar Dee learned that nifty kaiten-nage variation she teaches on occasion. And it was here that I learned that incredible morote-tori shiho-nage, the one that hopelessly tangles uke. You’ll see it in all three videos.
Yamada Sensei and Donovan Waite Sensei both instructed, which gave us the added benefit of training with Waite Sensei during Yamada Sensei’s class. It’s hard to overstate the impact this seminar had on me, a 3rd kyu at the time. It was that good.
And now, the videos:
Next up, a soto variation.
And omote, as compared to the first video’s ura entry.
To our students, I wish I could transport you back seven years, so you could experience this seminar through my eyes. Then you’d understand what all the fuss is about.