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With COVID-19 it's not easy to get your Aikido practice in. I've switched to mainly weapons training these days and put together a video on how to hold the sword for Aikido practice.
While in Japan, I learned that the weapons training should compliment and build the Aikido practice and techniques.
Aikiweapons and Aikido are part of the same system. Lifting a sword is like lifting your partner when executing a technique.
Of course, I'd like to say that it all depends on the instructor and where they learned Aikido. Throughout my years of training in Aikido in Houston, Boston, San Francisco, Austin, San Antonio, Arlington and in Tokyo, I've seen many different styles and systems of weapons being taught.
Essentially Aikido comes from three different arts, The Long and Short Sword, The Staff and Unarmed techniques; Kenjutsu, Jojutsu and Daitoryu Aikijuujutsu.
In 1991, after studying Aikido for a year at Shobu Aikido of Boston, I decided to move to Japan to further my studies and understanding of what Aikido is.
I read a lot of books on the idea of using weapons, and, studied and applied those ideas at the dojo in Boston under William Gleason.
When I got to Japan, taking classes at the Aikikai World Headquarters, also known as Hombu Dojo, I did not see nor take any weapons classes. I did hear a rumor that there was a class, but I never saw nor attended it. I was also a student of the Sophia Aikikai Club at Jochi Daigaku (Sophia University), but never experienced weapons training there as well.
I did take an apprenticeship from Kato Hiroshi, which did teach weapons. He taught them as he had learned from Morihei Ueshiba better known as O'Sensei, or Great Teacher. And, in every class, Kato Sensei would spend about 45 - 60 minutes teaching weapons. That's where I got a very strong basic foundation of the weapons and how they apply to everyday Aikido practice.
In my opinion it is very important to integrate weapons training with Aikido training as an add on and expansion of Aikido. I think it's important to stick with "Aiki - Weapons" inorder to build a stronger foundation.
I consider any weapon practiced with the fundamental movements of Aikido "Aiki - Weapons." That covers a lot of ground doesn't it?
And the possibility to have fun learning Aikido with a variety of weapons also comes into play.
I've uploaded an exercises with the sword to Youtube. Check it out:
11-28-2020 03:51 PM 
