YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Hey Aiki Web bloggers!
A friend and I put together an aikido demo for our school and I've put it on youtube. The techniques are a tad sloppy but oh well, I tried.:o So feel free to check it out and let me know what you think!

Later,
Daniela:ai: :ki: :do:

P.S. for all those that read my previous hakama forum, I now wear a hakama and am wearing one in the video! :p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLLqCNR8Dn4

Re: Aikido Demo Video
 

Firstly congrats for performing in front of all those kids and holding their attention for so long. That takes guts.

The aikiken was sloppy though. How long have you been doing weapons? It may be wood, but you should really hold it as if you're using live blades.

The jo was cool but again don't forget symmetry in your angles.

Throughout the demo, the taller girl kept slouching. Although the opponent is shorter, don't slouch. Instead just use your eyes. Slouching means you move less from your center.

Can't comment too much more without sounding preachy but overall you guys did a fun demo what with the music and flow. Though it did get a bit jumbled up with your jiyuwaza at the end. I would have preferred a more focused attack by one person and concluded with that person subduing the attacker rather than that ping-pong esque style you employed.

The shorter girl looked like rouronin kenshin by the way. Cool!

Re: Aikido Demo Video
 

Great demo...looks like you were really prepared. I love the response from the audience. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Mary

Re: Aikido Demo Video
 

ahmad- thanks for the feedback! I never noticed I was slouching, lol, one thing everyone in the dojo gets after me for! I think the aikido wouldn't have been so sloppy if we weren't so tired and nervous. Some of it was a little staged and exaggerated, however, so it could appeal to the crowd a little better.:o

Mary-thanks for watching!:)

-Daniela:ai: :ki: :do:

Re: Aikido Demo Video
 

When doing a demo to recrute members for your dojo, technique isn't important. Putting on a show and doing some spectacular moves is. People might of course be pretty disillusioned when they actually go train, but a boring performance doesn't attract any new members either.

Cool performance!

Re: Aikido Demo Video
 

Takes guts to get up in front of all those kids and put on a show demonstrating our art.
Congratulations, they seemed enthralled and I could hear lots of cheers in the background. Good job! They loved it.
Thanks for sharing and being such good representatives of Aikido!
Doc Sexton

Re: Aikido Demo Video
 

I disagree completely. If you change what you do to make it more appealing, you're going to interest people who want to do what you demoed, not what you actually do. Sure, you might get more people to come see what you do, but aren't they then less likely to stay when they see what you actually do? Just demonstrate what you normally do, and let the people who want to do that--the ones who would've stayed anyway--find you.

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Thanks =) Great Demo, I learned something from it too.

Ps. Loved the gundam music

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

I think what he means kent is that you don't want to get up there and be all slow and meditative but, instead get up there and do something interesting that will catch people's eye. Do it right, of course, but with a little extra power to bring the appeal.... :-)

Aaron- Thanks for watching! Gundam music? What's that?

Re: Aikido Demo Video
 

Hi, I'm actually the second member of that demo (the shorter girl). I actually would like some more feedback on the demo (if you dont mind ^_^)

I've been out of Aikido due to SATs, the flu/bronchitis, and i messed up my knee right before the performance. That was all the Aikido I was getting for the past 2 months, so I kind of would like to get a second opinion on how I did. I would appreciate any feedback you could give me. Thank you! -Valerie Doan

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

the Gundam music was the TM Revolution songs Daniela. T.M. did a lot of songs for the Gundam animes.

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Well since you ask Val; I hand't seen the demo before. First of all congratulations for putting it together, working it out and following through. I'd say its even gutsier to post it here than to perform in front of the school, and to allow ratings on the youtube video .. :crazy:

Well, I got a bit confused by some of the weapons stuff, you're going to have to show me in person some of that fancy jo. The kumitachi.. (modified for demo, I realize) needs lot of work, dont worry you have plenty of time.

Val you don't slouch as much, but sometimes.. you get this intense focus on the floor .. both you and Daniela need to stand up staight and address each other :D

I liked what I saw of zanshin, It was a pretty long demo ..

as for the flashy stuff its not exactly my cup of tea, but i think it actually suits you ;)

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

On demos...

We do one a year. And frankly while we might occasionally gain a student, I think the real value is in letting the kids and newer adults get up on stage and "do their thing". I would bet that if I posted video of the new students there would be no shortage of criticism of their techniques -- lord knows I'm doing that in my head as I watch. But... It ain't the point anyway. The kids have a blast and their friends often come to watch. Insightful viewers hopefully will notice that the new folk and kids look different from the instructors. And the experienced folk do get up there near the end and do things at full speed and intensity. I let one of my 16-year-olds toss me into 4 breakfalls in a row. It was all good.

To me the real benefit of the demos is to give the students a chance to show what they know and where they're at. Yeah, there is some PR aspect to it, but not a lot in the final analysis. The kids are the ones who have the best time. And their parents cheering in the audience. So we get up, do our thing, have a good time, then go out for lunch... ;)

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

I must gave missed it, but...
-how old are both of you?
-how long have you been training?

The answers will help frame worthwhile responses, I believe.

Thanks.

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

We're both 16
-I've been training for about 18-19 months now and I'm a 5th kyu(I'm the taller one) and val(she's the shorter one), i wanna say has been training for somewhere between 3 and 5 years and is a 4th almost 3rd kyu

Alf: The Jo was the 31 Jo Kata and yeah, the kumitachi was quite suckish but we were trying to make it more impressive for a crowd of teenagers....I'd like to work on it more and get better...

-Daniela:cool:
:ai: :ki: :do:

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Daniela, I've been training for 6 years, and yes we are both 16, but I'm technically older. and THANKS ALF!! You should get back to the mat...but I think I stare at the ground to make sure I know where I'm going :D

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

OK, thanks. In that case....
Good job with going 6+ minutes in the demo and not appearing to slow too much near the end.
Overall, especially during the last half, my only critique would be to move, both as uke and nage, with a little more focus and crispness and presence (without getting stiff and rigid, mind you) as you move around the mat and execute techniques; no need to go slower or faster, and nerves and roll-playing might well be part of the scenario.

And as mentionned, see everything and everyone around you, not just your uke....though that would help to begin with.

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Our club found having YouTube video on our website really helped people make that first big step of coming to the dojo. I think it helps remove the perception of big scary martial artists just waiting to pounce on fresh throw toys.

Anecdotally clunky techniques, goofy beginners (and instructors) can be more effective than death-defying breakfalls in attracting members

http://www.youtube.com/griffithaikido

best,
dan

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Downloading your demo now...

Congratulations! Great demo, especially considering where you're performing ... infront of your most critical peers. Terrifying.

Best bit : The crowd went OOH when Daniela first got dumped on her head!

Worst bit : Daniela falls too early in the hand-to-hand throws, but that's kinda normal for some dojos so maybe that's what you're taught in yours.

I didn't think Daniela slumped much compared to what I was expecting after reading the comments. Good job.

I have one big complaint : No cheerleaders. I was expecting cheerleaders but there weren't any.
Next time eh ...

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Nick: Thanks for the feedback! it's always appreciated! well that's good we didn't look TOO tired becuase we WERE. When it was over we went and collapsed in a corner for a little while.....I need to work on noticing my surroundings, you're definitely right, although I think I was making an effort to ignore the audience since there was around 1200 people.....O_o

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Everyone,
Thank you so much for your feedback. I appreciate it quite a bit (but my partner I'm clueless about.

Nick- I think what happened was that after the majority of it, we are basically running on fumes, and then our focus wavers quite a bit. Therefore, we end up losing our zanshin. Hopefully we can make it so that even when we have no energy, we can keep zanshin. Thank you!

Dan- I've never thought that the "clunky, goofy" techniques could appeal more. You have a point when you say that the impressive stuff can intimidate newcomers.

Michael- I think that Daniela and I were trying to make it at smooth as possible, which meant falling whenever it felt like we were supposed to. I know that probably shouldn't have been done, but the show must go on. and Cheerleaders? why cheerleaders? Just a side story, we had the hardest time with the cheerleaders when preparing for our performance...

All the best, -Valerie

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Best bit- HEY! lol did i really fall on my head? I remember crushing my ribs.....

Worst bit-falling early? some of that, yes, I did because I couldn't really figure where she was going with it on the spot like that so I decided to just falling instead of standing there struggling with her. I noticed on some of them it looks like I kind of just gave up but, that was why.....our dojo, however, does teach to fall before we get hurt but not to just give ourselves up like a rag doll....

Gosh, everyone keeps commenting my posture. was it really that bad?

-Daniela:freaky:
:ai: :ki: :do:

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Geowaza? jiyu-waza.

I realize you are both kyu ranks but you need to be more focused on using your centers and displaying good posture, control and balance.

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

yes I KNOW i spelled it wrong! gosh, the criticism I get for being american.....:sorry:

yup yup, we've got to try and not be so hyper in the future....

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

No one is criticizing you for being American. We're pointing out that you misspelled a word (and fairly badly). How are those two things related?

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isn't the word japanese? I just spelled it how it sounded.....oh well, who cares you guys knew what I meant...

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You should care. You're presenting yourself, your dojo, and aikido. When you don't care to make sure things are presentable, it reflects badly on you, your dojo, and aikido.

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

1 Watch the happy feet. I saw a lot of extra steps as well un grounded finishes with some of the throws.

2 Regardless of where you are, remember to remain centered, otherwise you will never effect Uke's balance.

3 Wear a Gi that fits so you don't look like a muppet flailing around.

But good job to do that in front of your peers

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

she thinks she is being criticized for not being japanese. =_=;;

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

which one of us looked like a muppet?

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

oh cry me a river. not everyone can spell the terminology in a precise manner. Deal with it or go find someone else to whine to. If you feel I'm shaming myself, my dojo, and aikido then you're reading into it far too much and are in serious need of a hobby.

-Daniela:rolleyes:
:ai: :ki: :do:

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

balance and posture seems to be our main problem, and im with val on the same question: who looked like a muppet? lol. thanks for taking the time to view our demo!:o

-Daniela:eek:
:ai: :ki: :do:

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Daniela,

You probably don't remember me, but we've trained before and may again this summer.

Josh isn't whining, he's telling you something really important and it's worth paying attention. You do represent yourself, your dojo, and aikido when you demonstrate publicly or even post here for that matter.

He didn't say that you've shamed your dojo, merely that your behavior will reflect on those things and part of good budo practice to not only be aware of that, but to care about it, make appropriate decisions, and to learn and improve from any feedback.

Good effort on your demonstration. Your enthusiasm for aikido shows.

Ganbatte!

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

oh i think i remember training with you! at the chuck clark seminar back in november? as a matter of fact, ur profile picture is at my dojo! nice job throwing bruce!

I do care but not THAT much. Geez, I just miss spelled a word. it's not that big of a deal.

Thanks for taking the time to watch it! I hope to train with you soon! :-)

-Daniela

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Daniela, here's the problem. You didn't misspell a word. Heck we all do that once in a while. The problem is that you didn't even make the effort to find out how it was properly spelled. You just spelled it any old way, and you freely admit that you just don't care. Well, that makes you look pretty bad. In fact, if that's the level of your effort, if that's your attitude towards the cultural aspects of the art, I feel pretty confident in saying you won't be doing aikido by the time you're twenty. By all means, prove me wrong, but understand that doing so will require a major attitude adjustment.

"Who cares?" is not a viable attitude in budo. It is the antithesis of budo.

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

Reminds me of this story by a practitioner of Iaido:

Obviously I don't think that Daniela went this far as to disgrace her sensei, but it seems like that slippery slope when you "just don't care". Trust me, I know about spelling words wrong .... I am a PhD student, and probably one of the worst spellers you will ever meet, and that's just in English. But I agree with the others, effort must at least be made. And even if with said effort you still come off with a word horribly spelled, you don't blow it off, you say thank you for the correction, and you learn for next time. This is where I think you fell a little short.

Practice well. :)

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

The smaller girl, the sleeves of your Gi looked way to long

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

I'm chiming in late here, but I just wanted to express that I'm always impressed when people can get up in front of a crowd and perform. Being in the spotlight like that can be pretty tough all on its own, let alone when trying to act with precision and intensity.
That said, there's plenty of room for improvement, but isn't there always? My take on 5th kyu is that it's naturally a time of getting lots of advice because clearly you're familiar with many of the basic forms, but there are also a lot of loose ends to be tied up...or at least, that's the way it appears to this long-standing 5th kyu.
I'd also like to add my two bits to the idea that "oh well" is a slippery slope. It's always easy to find excuses, and I'm not trying to say you're just giving excuses because for all I know sitting here at my keyboard, you've thought very seriously about how to improve your peformance already. But having at times gone from a very serious personality to a very not-serious one, I can see why so many folks would caution you in that regard. You looked like you were having fun in that demo, and that's good, but there's a whole school of thought that says demos should generally look intense and cause one to hold their breath. It's something of a conundrum in parts of the Aikido world where we're encouraged to smile and laugh and be serious at the same time. I guess there's an appropriate time for either and it appears some folks here think you might be approaching an appropriate time for a higher degree of seriousness. That's a compliment as I see it.
Take care and keep up the good work!
Matt

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

thanks for the possitive imput matt! its never too late for that! :-)

I think what it is, is that it's not like I don't care when it comes to being precise with any aspect whether it be my training or my spelling and that I am interested in getting feedback. I've really enjoyed reading most of the feedback I've gotten and I plan to use it towards the future. Writting it's not that big of a deal about miss spelling something is my way of saying oh well, now I know for next time and move on. I do care about improving in every way of aikido and I'm not being lazy or careless.

hehehe val looked like a muppet! I'm going to tease her for a while for that, I think I'll give her the title of kermit. lol:p

-Daniela:hypno:
:ai: :ki: :do:

Re: YouTube: Aikido Demo Video
 

I can't afford a new gi, and my old gi used to be my mom's. (5 years ago) I somewhat grew into it, but the sleeves have always been a little longer than everyone liked. The sleeves always felt fine to me, just everyone thought it was harder to grab my wrist.