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I had a few questions / concerns after class last night's class so I called Sensei and we had about a 20 minute chat.
Question:
When he starts counting more and more quickly while we are doing one-count full techniques, what is his intent?
Answer:
Go more quickly (duh).
Explanation:
He doesn't want students to have time to think, just do. When he says "Get up!", stop and quickly prepare for another pass at the technique, even if I'm not done yet. Later, when he says "Hajime, at your own pace!", that's the time to think and work out some of the details.
Question:
How should I handle any issues I might have with a certain student (Sensei knew who I meant) that doesn't appear to recognize, understand or respect their partner's physical limitations?
Answer:
Notify Sensei immediately, but discretely.
Explanation:
The student in question has a known background of being "hard" while performing techniques. Sensei had just spoken with him about that prior to last night's class. The student is a nice person off the mat, but might need some form of reminder(s) about backing off when necessary.
Question:
Will I be required to participate in randori (as a recipient of technique) as soon as my orange belt arrives?
Answer:
No.
Explanation:
When we're both sure I can handle the throws and rolls, then I can participate.
Question:
What was up with the low kicks I saw during randori?
Answer:
Those are higher-level black belt level defenses.
Explanation:
The Chudokai Aikido Federation has added some kicking defenses back into the authorized Yoshinkai techniques. Evidently, they were in there originally but were removed. They have been recently put back in.
Question:
How should I interpret last night's senior student's actions? Some of them seem arrogant, combative and derogatory.
Answer:
Leniently.
Explanation:
That student is Sensei's right-hand man. His job as senior student is to allow Sensei to relax and enjoy the class. He does his job very well. He's very highly thought of by Sensei and is very soft spoken and pleasant (off the mat). He's like myself in attention to detail and focus on correct technique. He fiercely defends the dojo standards and etiquette, and will not let any senior student get away with infractions (using them as an example to help instruct / scare lower ranking students). He's extremely intense and dedicated. He's a SanDan in Aikido and Jiu Jitsu, and brings the Jiu Jitsu combat attitude into the Aikido Dojo (Sensei tries not to). Sensei says that he, himself, is NOT a pleasant partner to train with either and is even more intense than his senior student when practicing Jiu Jitsu.
08-06-2004 02:52 PM 