Starting Weapon Training

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[M Sol Aguiar Castañeira]

Hi! I'm new here. I've started aikido a year ago. The first six months I studied with Sensei Kenzo Miyazawa Shihan and after he died I started training at another Dojo, related to the FEPAI (Federación Paulista de Aikido in Brasil, under Sensei Makoto Nishida Shihan Direction, acknowledged by the IAF). A month ago I succeeded my 4th Kyu exam. One of my instructors, insists that we should start practising jiyu wasa and weapon techniques from the beginning, and I agree with him. But I find the bokken and jo katas a bit difficult because I don't know the basic movements.
I would like to know if there is a website or if anyone has tips or sketches of the basic movements, the different strikes and different kamaes, so as to start practising and getting them fixed in my brain.
Thanks,

[George S. Ledyard]

Hi! I'm new here. I've started aikido a year ago. The first six months I studied with Sensei Kenzo Miyazawa Shihan and after he died I started training at another Dojo, related to the FEPAI (Federación Paulista de Aikido in Brasil, under Sensei Makoto Nishida Shihan Direction, acknowledged by the IAF). A month ago I succeeded my 4th Kyu exam. One of my instructors, insists that we should start practising jiyu wasa and weapon techniques from the beginning, and I agree with him. But I find the bokken and jo katas a bit difficult because I don't know the basic movements.
I would like to know if there is a website or if anyone has tips or sketches of the basic movements, the different strikes and different kamaes, so as to start practising and getting them fixed in my brain.
Thanks,
I would go to the Aikido Journal site and get the videos by Saito Sensei if you can afford them. He's got VHS and DVD formats. Saito Sensei's weapons work is the most standard of the aiki weapons systems being taught and should be compatible with what you are being taught I would think.

[SeiserL]

I second the Sato Sensei Aiki-Jo and Aiki-Ken DVDs.

[dan guthrie]

Other people feel free to contradict me but I wouldn't recommend practicing at home until you're pretty comfortable with the movement as you learn it in the dojo.
I tend to forget a detail or two and practicing a week at home without correction means I'm going to spend a long time unlearning my ingrained home practice.
Just my 2 cents. Most people are more coordinated than I am and that's not false modesty.

[Thomas Ambrose]

I started weapons training three months ago when I started aikido training... so I am a newbie, keep that in mind! On the other hand, I am going through something similar to what you are going through, so I will share my experiences and thoughts.

Does your dojo have a "Basic Weapons" class that you could go to? I have only been to one weapons class that was beyond the basics level, it was hard and I have every intention on continuing the basic weapons class. I will keep going to the one beyond basics as able, but I can understand why you feel you need more practice!

There are two things that I do. I practice "holding" my bokken. Nothing fancy, just holding it and getting used to its weight. About once or twice a month, I take my jo and bokken to my parents' house and practice outside on the deck for five or ten minutes at most. I don't do anything fancy, just some basic cuts with bokken, and basic strikes and twirling or "figure-8's" with the jo. I only do the things I am more or less comfortable with. But nothing fancy at all!

I keep it very limited because I don't need to pick up any more bad habits, I have enough of those already! Basically I just try to get comfortable with the weight and motion that the weapons take. I only do the fancier things in class, where Sensei can catch me doing things wrong!

[William Westdyke]

Basic moves with the bokken and jo are fairly simple to learn. Of course, you will need some tweaking by your instructor but when you start feeling the right cut you will know it. The Saito Sensei video's mentioned above are fantastic and easy to follow. I don't think anyones aikido would be hurt by working on weapons basics. In fact, your karate understanding might improve dramatically.

Best of luck,
William

[M Sol Aguiar Castañeira]

Thanks very much for all your responses!!!!
I'll check the Saito Sensei video's you mentioned.
There are two weapons class in my dojo, but neither one is basic. One is only for 2nd Kyu upwards and the other is an "open" class I had tried but found too difficult because all the attendants know the basic movements. Thant's why I want to learn them in order to participate and don't get too frustrated. I told this to my instructor and he promised to lend me a video he has. I'll check that out and latter I'll see about Saito Sensei's video.
I have also stated practising at my parents garden the movements I learn at the dojo. I assume with time it will get easier.
Thanks again!!!! :)

[George S. Ledyard]

I assume with time it will get easier.
:)
No. You get better, but if you are really training it doesn't get any easier.