I just got back from a seminar with Hiroshi Ikeda sensei at Aikido of Tamalpais, and I thought I'd write up some of my experiences from it.

This seminar was sort of a homecoming for me, since it was the first time I'd been back at Aikido of Tamalpais proper since I moved out here last October. Sure, I'd seen a lot of the dojo members since then at the Mount Madonna Retreat back in January, but I hadn't stepped foot into the dojo nor had I seen many of its members since the time I'd left. It was good to be back.

Ikeda sensei was in vintage form through the weekend as he went through many of what I believe he considers to be basic aikido principles revolving around such topics as center-to-center connection (musubi) and breaking balance (kuzushi). The following is my interpretation of what I got from the seminar. Rather than try to list the techniques and exercises we did, I'm going to try to stick to the principles that we practiced over the weekend.

We went through a lot of different exercises dealing with "musubi." In order to truly affect uke, one must have a center-to-center connection between nage and uke. Having no such connection will only affect the contact point between uke and nage, and uke will not be truly affected. In Japanese, this is called "musubi" which is derived from the verb "musubu" which basically translates to "to tie or bind together." If we take uke and nage to be two pieces of string, unless they are tied together in a manner, nage's movements will not affect uke at all. Only when we establish a connection from nage's center to uke's center will nage's movements affect uke.

Establishing this connection is valuable. However, if all nage does is connect with uke, nage is still usually in a disadvantageous position; uke still retains a his or her strong position. When uke attacks, they inevitably will attack in a position that makes him or strong.

To disrupt uke's strength, nage only needs to effect a small change. Rather than trying to use your entire arm to move uke, a tiny turn of the wrist or a flick of the hand will change uke's direction. In the same way that you can change the direction of your car by just moving your steering wheel, you can do the same by just moving your wrist.

Uke's balance can be broken in many different ways. Depending upon the situation, it may be easiest to take uke down, up, left, right, or any combination or degree thereof. It is with practice that nage develops the sensitivity to be able to feel and effect such movements without thought. Saotome sensei has said before that our skin must become our brain in this respect; we must become able to move in the correct manner at the instant of contact without our having to actively think about our reaction.

However, as the arms are not very strong relative to your entire body, you must try to unify the rest of your body, starting with your hips and "center" to derive power. Without connecting to your own center, you can only rely upon the strength in your arm. Although this may work for strong people, there will inevitably be those who are stronger than you someday. In order to maximize his or her own capacity for affecting uke, nage needs to connect to his or her own center and use it to power the throw.

After a lot of practice, we can slowly shorten the time needed to execute this entire process of establishing connection with uke, establishing connection with yourself, and taking uke's balance. This must be developed through your own training and practice according to your own body type, strengths, and weaknesses. I believe this is what Ikeda sensei means by needing to find your "own" aikido -- that we have to find the aikido that works for our own body, our own temperament, and our natural abilities. Just trying to "clone" our aikido from another person's will develop an aikido unsuited to ourselves.

There was a good buzz of excitement and a bit of tension around this seminar due to the fact that this would be Aikido of Tamalpais's first yudansha testings under ASU and in front of Ikeda sensei. Most of the people at Tam had never seen how an ASU test is conducted, and understandably, there was a bit of concern surrounding it due to it.

(For those of you who have never seen an ASU yudansha testing, the basic premise is that anyone who is dressed and ready to get up can be the testee's uke when the testing instructor calls for an "uke change." So, you may get someone with whom you worked for years, or you may get someone whom you've never seen before in your life. Keeps you on your toes, if anything.)

On Friday night, we had two tests for shodan, Joel and Ruth. On Saturday afternoon, we had three nidan tests, Janet, Vicki, and Bob. On Sunday, we had three sandan exams, Monica, Eric, and Tony. Every one of the candidates passed with great tests, and Ikeda sensei seemed very pleased with the effort and hard work each one of the candidates went through to prepare for their test.

One of Ikeda sensei's comments that he gave us was that people who are testing, especially at shodan and above, need to be good examples for people who will be testing in the future. Junior students will look at people who are testing and will try to emulate what they see. Ikeda sensei went and showed us his versions of "basic techniques" including ikkyo through yonkyo from shomenuchi, an amazing treat to see as, frankly, we don't see Ikeda sensei do many basic techniques anywhere (not even in Boulder).

The thing that Ikeda sensei always emphasizes after any test, for a kyu or dan grading regardless, is the necessity to keep practicing. I don't think I've ever heard him comment upon a test (and I've seen at least a few dozen now) without him asking people to just keep practicing. Ikeda sensei is one of a few advanced practitioners in aikido whom I've met who are still very much training wherever he goes.

Aikido of Tamalpais presented Ikeda sensei with a gift at the conclusion of the seminar. The last time at Mount Madonna, Ikeda sensei commented that he wanted to get a steak for each mistake (or rather, "mis-steak") that people had on their exams. So, with eight people testing, Aikido of Tamalpais had eight high quality steaks sent to Ikeda sensei's home in appreciation for his teaching the seminar.

I had a great time at the seminar this year. Aikido of Tamalpais even put together a dinner at a restaurant called Pier 15 in San Rafael which was fun; although the place was a bit short on service and food (though I was lucky to get a much-needed second serving of pasta and bread), the company was great. I even partook in some dancing, if you could believe that. I don't know when I'll be back in the Bay Area next (probably when I go out there to move the rest of my stuff out here), but it was nice to be back. I hope to see everyone again, soon.

Jun