079) The Delusions of Self-Defense in Aikido: March 2011

Attilio Anthony John Wagstaffe wrote: I assume you invited Geoff Thompson to your IT course....? I wonder if he would be interested...?

Well..the course was advertised openly to the public so from that you can conclude that everyone is invited..

On my 1st BCA course which was around 1994 Geoff T didn't appear to have much time for Aikido...but from what I've seen on DVDs of his masterclasses recently and from his regular articles he seems to be far more open ...and he talks openly about those looking for violence finding it.

Geoffs life experiences seem to have opened his mind greatly and on the confident platform of his undoubted ability he seems comfortable in acknowledging many aspects of MA other than just how to hurt other people.

I think he'd be very interested in what Dan has to show. ...I know I am.

I spent 8 years with Kevin O'hagans Combat academy (BCA coach) which has greatly coloured my perspective on Aikido and while I respect those here that want to keep martial arts as fighting arts only...my personal belief is that there are further layers and levels of practice achievable which can offer more than just fighting ability as in punching/kicking/grappling using athletic prowess.

IP/IS for me equates to kokyu / ryoku ...from what I've been taught by Pierre Chassang this seems to be the final level of practice in Aikido.

I'm hoping to see if Dan can unlock my access to this and clarify my progress to this higher level.

I look forward to finding out in may.

D

What I particularly like is who is being called "aiki bunnies"... No one in this Aikido universe would consider Marc Abrams an "aiki bunny". Not on his nicest. most user friendly day...

I spent years with various Aikido people scared to death of me and now I am supposed to be an "aiki bunny"... just because I advocate going beyond our very narrow paradigm of traditional Aikido practice.

All of this is based on no direct information whatever. Not of me or Marc or any of the other folks here and certainly not an iota of any direct experience of the folks we are talking about training with.

It's funny that Geoff Thompson has been mentioned. I attended his seminar last august, and he started his session's with breathing exercises. If I remember correctly he said they were Tai Chi exercises that he was working with to better relax, prepare and understand his body. He also came across as a very spiritual and decent bloke. His constant message throughout the day was not on fighting or violence but the development of the Self. Of course that includes the physical self and we did a lot of work with this in mind but he goes a lot deeper than just the physical.

Hello Daz I liked your comment on kokyu ryoku. I know we both follow Tamura sensei's foundations via Pierre Chassang. So like you I am under the impression that it is final level off understanding, and that's why it's the last foundation.

P.S. I will see you in London mate I managed to get a spot on Dan's weekend seminar, cheers.

Chris.

Chris Walker wrote: It's funny that Geoff Thompson has been mentioned. I attended his seminar last august, and he started his session's with breathing exercises. If I remember correctly he said they were Tai Chi exercises that he was working with to better relax, prepare and understand his body. He also came across as a very spiritual and decent bloke. His constant message throughout the day was not on fighting or violence but the development of the Self. Of course that includes the physical self and we did a lot of work with this in mind but he goes a lot deeper than just the physical. Hello Daz I liked your comment on kokyu ryoku. I know we both follow Tamura sensei's foundations via Pierre Chassang. So like you I am under the impression that it is final level off understanding, and that's why it's the last foundation. P.S. I will see you in London mate I managed to get a spot on Dan's weekend seminar, cheers. Chris.

Thanks Chris. Appreciated.

Be great to see you in London - think there will be some very good people there.

Cheers

D