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Long time since I last posted. A year ago I was going to start doing aikido, but i dislocated my shoulder quite badly. I'm somewhat better now. So I'll continue where I left off.
So I've had the pleasure of going to aikido twice this semester. Boy has it been fun.
Once a week classes are unfortunate, however. Practicing at least 3 times per week is ideal, and it is hard to feel like you are growing at only once a week. It is significantly worse when you are sleep deprived, however. My concentration was lacking this past friday. I'm gonna have to make a point to get more sleep.
I'm loving aikido regardless of the training frequency. Aikido techniques have a very appealing nature to me. As a former jujutska and karateka, I find my work cut out for me as uke.
Allow me to explain. To me, ukemi is receiving any technique with the body to minimize any injury, and also keep my self in a safe position. Aikido practice is letting me learn that harmonizing is an effective element in ukemi. Patrick and to a lesser extent Nathan who take ukemi when Nelson is explaining something have a curious habit of trying to stick their ear up to Nelson's heart. I found this significantly diminishes the strength of certain techniques, and I have been applying them liberally. I have a lot to learn with regards to ukemi.
I would like to test for Rokyu at a seminar with Rob Liberti or Gleason Sensei this semester.
Technical Elements to work on next week:
Tachi Waza
Tenkan -- Patrick pointed out that my tenkan is weak on my left side.
Suriashi -- Nelson and Patrick do this, so i am assuming this is good technique. They certainly feel a lot more stable than the others.
Shomenuchi Ikkyo -- There is no doubt in my mind, I'm quite poor at this. This seems like such a seminal technique in aikido. My jujustu training makes me want to do a upper cross block (age juji uke?) and then throw with ude garami. My Karate training makes me want to keep my hips open when i meet uke with my hand. Even worse it makes me want to block (age uke) instead of joining with uke.
Nelson said i can remove the extra arm that is not parrying by performing chudan giri as if i had a sword in that hand. This is an excellent suggestion, but i find it very awkward when I am parrying with my right hand, as my left hand would be wielding the sword. This feels very unnatural to me.
I also need to work on closing distance more. My ikkyo consists of merely threat of force. This will take a lot of work
Suwari waza / Ne Waza
Kokyu Tanden Ho. This seems like a nice drill and a good exploration of one's center. Note to self, center moves when you get a gut; you have to find it again . This is also a requirement for Rokyu
01-28-2007 09:25 AM 
. This is also a requirement for Rokyu