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Old 12-10-2003, 11:53 AM   #10
Paul Sanderson-Cimino
Username: Paul Sanderson-Cimino
Dojo: Yoshokai; looking into judo
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 426
United_States
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Osu!

^_^

Wow, you're very lucky. I and others envy you. ^_- (For training at the Genyokan regularly.)

I began aikido at Carleton College (Yoshokai) last year. If I had to say, I would consider myself primarily a 'Yoshokai aikidoka', though I greatly appreciate the Iwama dojo here and Louis Jumonville-sensei for his excellent instruction.

Although I have no third example, I see much more emphasis on buki-waza in Yoshokai. We do it every class at Carleton, whereas we only do it once a week in Iwama (although that once-weekly class is dedicated solely to buki-waza.)

There is certainly a difference in teaching style. At Carleton, we generally do one or maybe two techniques per class. (This varies more in Advanced.) In Pleasant Hill, we frequently do 5 or 6 techniques (I think?) per class. Also, while there are clear 'pause points' for purpose of instruction, it is more flowing from the start, whereas Yoshokai would probably break some of those more complex motions down into several parts for instruction. In addition, Jumonville-sensei utilizes a more classical teaching method. Sometimes, he'll do an entire class without speaking, to build observation skills.

In terms of technique, I notice that Yoshokai includes many more 'lead-around' openings (180 degree pivots all over the place. ^_-) Iwama seems to have few of those. They also do not often use the ubiquitous Yoshokai 45 degree pivot.

They begin every class with tai no henko (one wrist grasp from gyaku hanmi, bring hands in so that fingers point to center, 180 degree pivot), tai no henko ki no nagare (which seems to change it to ai hanmi with a cross-step-in opener for uke, and more flowing) and kokyu-ho (something like a both-hands-on-one-wrist-grasp side-step-in-throw). They end each class with kokyu-dosa (a 'breath method' in Yoshokai.)

They also do no basic movements, except for a 'two step' (kind of like a cross-step-in-180 degree pivot, only they don't sweep the leg around extended, but instead cross step back directly.) Their ukemi consists of a forward roll (similar to a #1), a backward roll (not like Yoshokai-style...like a forward roll in reverse, with hands together the entire time; a more 'internal' feeling) and a 'high fall', which isn't so much like a jumping breakfall as it is a generic term for a jumping breakfall sort of slap-landing.

They also do considerably more jiyu-waza; often at the end of every class. In addition, rather than choosing a single partner for the entire time, they choose a new partner for each technique.

Oh, and they don't say 'Osu', they say 'Onegai shimasu' - literally, something like "I request a favor".

It's easy to list what they don't do, or what specifically differs from Yoshokai; it's harder to describe the general different feeling. I can say how it's not Yoshokai, but harder to say what it is itself.
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