Weapons training rocks!!!

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[Jess McDonald]

:crazy: I know it's self evident but I just wanted to say that. :)

[James Davis]

Yes, it certainly does. I find that when my students' empty-hand techniques get sloppy, putting weapons in their hands usually clues them in. :)

[Tinyboy344]

I dont like training with weapons as much but it's just my personal oppinion... I guess we're all different :p

[Mike Hamer]

I cant wait to do weapons training. Ive had my sensei pull out bokken and jo to demonstrate technique, but Ive never done it myself.

[p00kiethebear]

We don't train with rocks in our dojo, mostly just sticks. What kind of technique do you use with rocks?

I am the king of bad puns.

[thkun]

i think training with weapons is good idea in aikido. some people's practice is too soft and fake for striking and gripping. the situation will change when the opponent is holding a weapon. the feeling and the atmosphere will become more serious and dangerous by using a bokken, wooden knife or jo.

[Brad Pruitt]

I love weapons training. It connects me to a whole other side of my aikido.I really like the jo/bo. The fluidity that can be acheived is something more than I know how to express in words in print.

[Bronson]

What kind of technique do you use with rocks?

Ganseki otoshi? (http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3966&highlight=ganseki) ;)

Bronson

[Aristeia]

I used to love weapons. The problem faced by both me and I think the organisation I was in, was how to you progress weapons to a high level while still practicing empty hand. How do you balance the time? A dedicated weapons class once a week that only some students show up to, or a little but of weapons in every class. What are peoples thoughts?

[hapkidoike]

Weapons training is certainly good fun. I am greatful for it given that I jacked myself up in a motorcycle accident two weeks ago (bit off piece of tounge, jacked up ribs, smashed left hand, a little road rash) and that is all I, or my will allow, me to do.

[Mark Uttech]

This is a reply to Michael Fooks: I put a little bit of weapons in the last 1/2 hour of every class, and on the one day per week where I have a weapons class, the last 1/2hour is given to empty hand. I have always been inspired by the way it is said that O'Sensei taught: moving freely back and forth between weapons and empty hand practices in a single class. In gassho

Mark

[Aristeia]

how long are your classes Mark?

[Mark Uttech]

An hour and a half, but the Sunday weapons class is two hours. The Saturday empty hand class is two hours also. So there's four classes a week Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun. Roughly then, each week there is three hours of weapons and four hours of empty hand. Not all students come to every class or even the same class, so I try to bring everyone along, and it works out.

[Brad Pruitt]

I used to love weapons. The problem faced by both me and I think the organisation I was in, was how to you progress weapons to a high level while still practicing empty hand. How do you balance the time? A dedicated weapons class once a week that only some students show up to, or a little but of weapons in every class. What are peoples thoughts?
We don't practice all that much in our dojo maybe 1 hour a week. In the summer we have "jo in the park" and that's usually 2 full classes a month at some park around town.Almost everyone shows up for these. The students that really enjoy the weapons work practice on their own.

[Aristeia]

An hour and a half, but the Sunday weapons class is two hours. The Saturday empty hand class is two hours also. So there's four classes a week Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun. Roughly then, each week there is three hours of weapons and four hours of empty hand. Not all students come to every class or even the same class, so I try to bring everyone along, and it works out.
Thanks, that makes sense, our sessions were an hour which is why we found it hard to squeeze everything in. I would have like to have seen 1.5-2 hr sessions at least some of the time.

[Jess McDonald]

WOW!! Thanks for all the comments guys!! I think every dojo should incorporate some weapons training. That's what really got me hooked into this whole thing that is aikido. We train a little weapons every class. Sometimes longer than others, every now and again not at all, but I find it very complimentary to empty-hand and definitely focuses my attention! Anyway...
onegai shimasu

[Qatana]

I soooo wish we had a regular weapons class! We did some of Saito Sensei's paired sword forms for the last couple of Saturdays and yes, the stuff that I cannot feel in myself in empty hand becomes much more evident in weapons work. I can feel the flinch response more clearly and believe that if I can practice these forms the problems I am having with entering into my technique will be cured much quicker.
And since I have been informed that my 2nd kyu test will be entirely about entering for me...

[Leiv]

I find that when my students' empty-hand techniques get sloppy, putting weapons in their hands usually clues them in. :)

Quite helpful indeed. When ever I am stuck on a technique, the dojo-cho usually has me go through the motion with a bokken and that really clears things up.
However, I find it to be quite the opposite when they try to teach me techniques with the jo. Who'd of thought a 155cm long stick could be so complicated?

[Jess McDonald]

Hi Jo Adell!! I also live and train in Petaluma!! What a coincidence!! I train on the Pet. Blvd. on Water St. underneath Kodiak Jack's. My dojo is Sugawara Budo of Petaluma; I've heard of yours but am not sure of it's exact location. I saw your post and had to say hi! If your really into weapons training perhaps you'd like to come to class sometime. Your obviously experienced (2nd kyu test and all); I bet your sensei even knows about us! Such a small world you know?

[Tinyboy344]

Learn how to defense against tanto/knife... I'd love to know how cuz it's closest to a real life situation... I mean how often do you see a person carry a katana around to attack you.

[Leiv]

Learn how to defense against tanto/knife... I'd love to know how cuz it's closest to a real life situation... I mean how often do you see a person carry a katana around to attack you.

How often do you get attacked period? The best defence is a healthy sprint and a good head start. :D

[Qatana]

Hey Jess

Well howdy neighbor! I have talked to your sensei about training in Katori Shinto Ryu but the class schedules conflict with my own schedule, unfortunately. and I cannot afford membership in two dojos. Our dojo is right up the street from yours, on Western ave. Feel free to drop in anytime (but ask your sensei first-although I'm sure he wouldn't mind, he drops in with us sometimes, too).

[Tinyboy344]

How often do you get attacked period? The best defence is a healthy sprint and a good head start. :D

:D Good advice :D

[Jess McDonald]

Sweet!! Looks like we're sure to run into each other eventually. -I sense our fates are bound in this way- sorry, I just had an enlightenment moment. Don't you just love those?!