Learning To Be Silent

Editors Note: This is the sixth in an eight part series discussing past seminars at our school. The videos can be found in our multimedia archive. The series can be found under the video tag.

Grady Lane Sensei is a dear friend personally, and a great friend of the dojo. Today’s videos, therefore, are doubly special. Not only do they highlight Sensei’s technique (and Dee’s ukemi), but they were taken at Palm Beach Aikikai, bar none one of my favorite dojos. Remind me sometime to tell you how cool they are.

The first video shows a dynamic kokyu-nage from ushiro. I love this technique, and especially Sensei’s demonstration of it. It’s a powerful throw.

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In the next video, Sensei demonstrates a very interesting nikkyo from a forward grab. What I like is the entrance – it’s an uchi variation from which you’d otherwise expect kaiten-nage, or perhaps kokyu-nage. (At least to me. Then again, I’m not a sixth dan shidoin.)

I can also tell you from experience that Dee is feeling that wrist lock.

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Next up: Ed Di Marco Sensei, at the UNF dojo.

Editors Note: This is the fifth in an eight part series discussing past seminars at our school. The videos can be found in our multimedia archive. The series can be found under the video tag.

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:

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Next up, a soto variation.

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And omote, as compared to the first video’s ura entry.

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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.

Editors Note: This is the fourth in an eight part series discussing past seminars at our school. The videos can be found in our multimedia archive. The series can be found under the video tag.

We have three videos to share today. Again, Bernath Sensei is demonstrating. In the first video, Sensei is executing jiu-waza from shomen-uchi. Pay attention to that last technique. It’s nikkyo, and from my perspective looks absolutely devastating. Neil’s ukemi, as always, is superb.

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Some beautiful irimi-nage in this next video. Again, I want our students to see this, particularly Sensei’s cut and connection with uke’s hips. This perpendicular movement, I think, really goes to the heart of Dee Sensei’s technique. I’ve seen this, or some variation, in all the students Yamada Sensei has taught or influenced. (Of course, my experiences are just my own. Feel free to disagree!)

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I have a very clear memory of this next technique. If pressed, I’d classify it as a maki-otoshi variation. The seminar itself took place at the UNF dojo in October 2005. I remember Sensei here emphasizing the importance of immediate movement. As in, one moment nage’s there, and the next, uke is thrown. Joey Turner is uke.

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Next up: Donovan Waite Sensei!

Editors Note: This is the third in an eight part series discussing past seminars at our school. The videos can be found in our multimedia archive. The series can be found under the video tag.

This is a cool technique. Here, Bernath Sensei is cutting uke into kokyu-nage, from shomen. What’s interesting is the throw—Sensei drops to one knee, forcing uke into breakfall. Chris Rozette, one of our early instructors, is uke.

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Man, this next video is great. I can’t help but smile when I watch it. If I were to classify it, I’d call it a study in kokyu-nage, with a koshi- and a dynamite shiho-nage added to the mix. (After Neil takes a tumble following an atemi from Sensei.) For me, the highlight is that spectacular irimi-nage. Enjoy!

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Next up…more Bernath Sensei, and then Donovan Waite Sensei. Stay tuned!

By Maggie Schill

This Saturday I had the pleasure to attend a fundraiser seminar at Brevard Aikikai. Hosted by Grady Lane Sensei, the seminar featured several amazing instructors, including Peter Bernath Shihan. Each instructor seemed to have a varied style of teaching, and each focused on a particular aspect of their Aikido. This made for both an informative and nurturing learning experience, where the students could focus intently on the lessons.

There were two special morning classes. The first morning class started at 10:00 a.m. and was taught by Peter Bernath Sensei of Florida Aikikai. Bernath Sensei focused on body positioning and immediate, unreadable technique. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining your center, as well as keeping extension.

The second morning class was held by Penny Bernath Sensei, also of Florida Aikikai. Starting with deep entrances, and then jyu-waza, the class gradually turned into a dynamic randori lesson. It was structured to help the students build their skills, from the initial movement to the limitless possibilities of jyu-waza.

John Johnson Sensei of Orlando Aikikai began the afternoon session. Johnson Sensei demonstrated various techniques from ryote-tori yonkyo, including several kokyu-nage throws. I learned about the adaptability of yonkyo and the importance of extension. Especially interesting was an anecdote from summer camp thirty years ago, where an instructor, after leading a Shinto chant for several classes, required that the attendees clean the training hall. The significance was not lost on Johnson Sensei: the dojo was a place for serious, committed training.

Following Johnson Sensei, Ed Di Marco Sensei of Lake County Aikikai taught a vigorous and informative class. Demonstrating ushiro movements, Di Marco Sensei spoke about “worst case” scenarios, where uke flanks nage.  Again I learned about balance and extension, and how to turn difficult attacks to my advantage.

After a short break, Youssef Sadkane Sensei of Sadkane Aikido began his class. Demonstrating direct and efficient Aikido movement, Sadkane Sensei emphasized the importance of controlling uke’s center. I saw in his technique the rhythm and feel of swordplay. I really enjoyed it!

Dee Sensei of my school taught next. She opened her class with an ukemi exercise, and continued with ikkyo ura, from katate-tori. She asked nage not to break uke’s grip, which forced uke to maintain close connection. It was as much ukemi training as traditional technique. She then allowed us to train in jiu-waza, again without breaking uke’s hold. Finally, taking a cue from Sugano Sensei, she instructed the attendees to attack anyone on the mat, including her. It was great fun.

Fittingly, the seminar closed with the host, Lane Sensei. He led a high paced, high energy class, from morote-tori. Beginning with kokyu-ho, he demonstrated pins, kote-gaeshi, and finally juji-nage. I learned a great deal about the complexity and possibilities of the morote-tori attack.

In closing, the seminar was high paced and highly informative. I want to thank Lane Sensei, as well as the other instructors present. I learned a lot and had a great time!