Learning To Be Silent

Editors Note: This is the seventh 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.

Speaking of Wagener Sensei, these next four videos were recorded in January 2004 at the UNF dojo.  (And yes, I know I promised videos of Ed Di Marco Sensei in my last post. I’m showing these a bit out of order in light of our June 19th seminar. You were planning on attending, weren’t you?)

The 2004 seminar was an amazing experience, for several reasons. First, of course, was the expert instruction we received, not just from Sensei, but also from the several talented yudansha visiting us. I have, for example, a clear recollection of a certain bokken kata, which unfortunately is not captured on video. I was training with Linda, a black belt from the University of Florida Aikido Club. The technique exposed my sword arm to ikkyo, which led, imperceptibly, into something altogether different. For me, it was a glimpse into the possibility of Aikido, and was a heady realization for a newly minted third kyu.

Another reason, among many—the party afterwards. Allow me to set the scene. We’re at Buca di Beppo, about fifteen of us, exhausted from training, and crowded around a huge circular table, the kind you might find in some cheesy Arthurian set piece, in something called the Pope Room, which in the context of Buca-land is a cross between the Italian Pavilion at Epcot and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. We ate and drank and generally cut loose.

In short, we had a blast.

But you’re not reading this for the stories. You came here for this:

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And this:

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Good stuff. See you on the 19th!

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!