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Old 05-09-2005, 04:18 AM   #1
graham butt
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Solo training without weapons.

Hey everyone!

I recently moved away from my home town and i am without an Aikido Dojo now!
I was just wondering how you guys train solo.. without the aid of weapons (mainly because i can't have them on the place i work at)

So far i've just been running through footwork motions for weapons work and i find myself a heavy stick to condition with as well...

But what else could be done????

thanks folks
Take_Care
Graham!
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Old 05-09-2005, 04:40 AM   #2
Dazzler
Dojo: Bristol North Aikido Dojo
Location: Bristol
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England
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

If you have a syllabus work though it completely by visualisation.

Imagine the attacks and work your defenses.

As Elvis said..."if you cant find a partner...use a wooden chair" .

Any fitness conditioning work may help...but be careful...theres a hotel in wimbledon with a chair that has a leg held on by chewing gum thanks to its secondment as a makeshift bokken.

Cheers

D
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Old 05-09-2005, 05:05 AM   #3
Yann Golanski
 
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Dojo: York Shodokan Aikido
Location: York, United Kingdom.
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Tomiki developed a set of exercises that you could practice alone to help your aikido. Check them out.

The people who understand, understand prefectly.
yann@york-aikido.org York Shodokan Aikido
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Old 05-09-2005, 06:33 AM   #4
aikidoc
Dojo: Aikido of Midland
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

tapes & cds
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Old 05-09-2005, 07:44 AM   #5
SeiserL
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

IMHO, footwork, shadow box and rhythm train. Turn on some rocking music and move to the beat.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
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Old 05-09-2005, 08:24 AM   #6
Joost Korpel
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

I recommend you try Michael Friedl's DVD "Meditation in Motion". I've used this DVD for solo practice and found it very helpful. This DVD is described on the web as"

Quote:
This DVD presents a solo Aikido practice that can be done anywhere. Similar to a Tai chi practice, this meditative exercise incorporates 13 different techniques and focuses on weight shift, breathing, and slow execution of Aikido techniques to improve balance and build internal energy (Ki).
This DVD also has Friedl Sensei demonstrating solo ukemi. I attended a seminar with Friedl Sensei, where he had us all practice solo ukemi for an iriminage technique. Boy, does that force you to understand the movements of irminage!

You can purchase a copy of Friedl Sensei's DVD "Meditation in Motion" online at:

http://id.mind.net/~magimic/books_vi...oks_videos.htm

Joost
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Old 05-09-2005, 09:07 AM   #7
Amir Krause
Dojo: Shirokan Dojo / Tel Aviv Israel
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

I guess you would have to look in the material you were taught and find the best solutions for you. Trying to practice using visualization is good, but very difficult to do, and can only help in practicing some elements (you can't feel a non existent partner).

In Korindo Aikido we have 8 Tai-Sabaki movements to practice on our own, they assist us in practicing and improving movement and form one of the fundamental bases of the art.

Amir
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Old 05-09-2005, 09:16 AM   #8
Dazzler
Dojo: Bristol North Aikido Dojo
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Quote:
Amir Krause wrote:
Trying to practice using visualization is good, but very difficult to do, and can only help in practicing some elements (you can't feel a non existent partner).
really? thats amazing...thanks Amir..and here was I thinking it was the best thing since sliced bread!

Last edited by Dazzler : 05-09-2005 at 09:28 AM.
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Old 05-09-2005, 12:25 PM   #9
Bronson
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Find someone who's interested and share what you know with them.

Bronson

"A pacifist is not really a pacifist if he is unable to make a choice between violence and non-violence. A true pacifist is able to kill or maim in the blink of an eye, but at the moment of impending destruction of the enemy he chooses non-violence."
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Old 05-09-2005, 05:02 PM   #10
MatthewJones
Location: Washington State
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Try training in another martial art, or pick up some good books on Tai Chi, do it everyday and I bet you'll be amazed at your progress in Aikido once you get back on the mat.
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Old 05-09-2005, 06:10 PM   #11
ChrisHein
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Darens' idea is a great one. It not only will make your Aikido better, but also your ability to visualize (which might come in handy!). I do lots and lots of movement ability drills. How slow can I roll, how much can I isolate parts of my body. Pushups into handstands. Anything demanding that increases command over your body. If I were you I'd get a broom with a handle you can unscrew and you'd have a Jo.

-Chris Hein
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Old 05-09-2005, 07:33 PM   #12
diesel
Dojo: Tenshin
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

irimi irimi irimi irimi irimi

irimi tenkan irimi tenkan irimi tenkan irimi tenkan irimi tenkan

irimi tenkan ikkyo irimi tenkan ikkyo irimi tenkan ikkyo

irimi tenkan nikkyo irmi tenkan nikkyo irimi tenkan nikkyo

..

irimi tenkan kaitennage irimi tenkan kaitenage

happo giri/undo happo giri/undo happo giri/undo

mae ukemi mae ukemi mae ukemi mae ukemi

ushiro ukemi ushiro ukemi ushiro ukemi

shikko shikko shikko shikko




Get the idea?

Eric
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Old 05-09-2005, 07:52 PM   #13
maikerus
Dojo: Roppongi Yoshinkan Aikido / Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
Location: Tokyo
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

In the Yoshikan syllabus there are the kihon dosa and kihon dosa renzoku.

This doesn't really help you if you don't have someone to show you and explain what's going on, but if you've ever seen/tried them it might help. They are also well written up and described in some books and DVD's.

cheers,

--Michael

Hiriki no yosei 3 - The kihon that makes your head ache instead of your legs
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Old 05-09-2005, 11:59 PM   #14
DustinAcuff
Dojo: Tan Aiki Dojo
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

your real goal is just to stay soft. if you can work by visualization, great, i'd encourage you do practice every technique you know. if not, just do the ura version of irimi nage, focus on staying balanced and being fluid. this technique is the bread and butter of aikido, it has most/all the footwork and is truely the most fluid and easiest tech to practice by itself. rolls and falls are good too, you never want to forget your ukemi. or heck, if you think you can find a dojo pretty easily, just take a month or two off. i cut myself open pretty bad a couple months ago, was out for 6 weeks, and came back softer and more fluid than i had ever been. might work.
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Old 05-10-2005, 01:39 AM   #15
graham butt
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Thanks guys... All pretty useful ideas...!
Obviousl i won't know if i progress until i get back on the mat...

Don't know when that will be...!



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Old 05-10-2005, 01:46 AM   #16
PeterR
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Quote:
Graham Butt wrote:
But what else could be done????
Well how far along is your Aikido training?

If you have a couple of years under your belt - grab a few friends and start practicing.

If you are a beginner - shelve your Aikido and do something else for awhile.

Solo Aikido can be done I suppose but for any length of time it will get you nowhere.

Peter Rehse Shodokan Aikido
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Old 05-10-2005, 04:56 AM   #17
ian
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

bloody-hell! Just wrote a massive thread and it didn't work. I tell you what, e-mail me in 1 week (ir.dodkins@ulster.ac.uk) and I shall send you the student 'at home' training program that I've developed over the last 2 years.

Ian

---understanding aikido is understanding the training method---
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Old 05-12-2005, 01:12 AM   #18
graham butt
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Thanks Ian... i will email you monday???

My Aikido training has been done over three years... i have been to every seminar and summer school since i've started training and reached the level of 1st kyu... Thats why i want to keep training!

graham
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Old 05-12-2005, 01:15 AM   #19
PeterR
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Graham - I really suggest you grab a few friends and start practicing together.

Stick with what you know, treat it as a group of friends, even make some sort of connection with your old or nearest club - there is no reason for you to train in isolation. Ikkyu is pretty good.

I started my own dojo with only slightly more experience.

Peter Rehse Shodokan Aikido
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Old 05-13-2005, 02:13 AM   #20
napoleonmactal
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Smile Re: Solo training without weapons.

I had the same dillema/It's very hard to train especially without a partner.I'm an enthusiast, but still looking for a dojo.I also moved fro my place.Maybe this is a time to test if you can train and discipline yourself even no one is looking or around. But i suggest you look for a dojo. It's very nice to have compay when training. Anyway, sensei Morisheba trained in the forest , and i dont think he have a partner there.
God bless!
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Old 05-13-2005, 02:14 AM   #21
Bronson
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Quote:
Peter Rehse wrote:
I started my own dojo with only slightly more experience.
Ditto, I and a couple others of ikkyu rank took over the teaching responsibilities at one of my sensei's satellite dojo when the previous instructor's new work schedule took him out of regular training. That was five years ago and the dojo is still going strong.

Get some friends and share what you know. You'll learn an incredible amount about the techniques when you have to break them down and explain them.

Bronson

"A pacifist is not really a pacifist if he is unable to make a choice between violence and non-violence. A true pacifist is able to kill or maim in the blink of an eye, but at the moment of impending destruction of the enemy he chooses non-violence."
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Old 05-13-2005, 10:52 AM   #22
graham butt
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

The place i live is quite a secluded area... There are no big sports centres or anything.... Jut a post office and a small shop... So i know for sure there is no Dojo's in this place!

Thanks for the helpguys... any more idea will be welcomed with open arms!!!
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Old 05-13-2005, 04:28 PM   #23
siwilson
Dojo: Kenshinkai Yoshinkan Aikido
Location: Portsmouth
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Have you got a garage? Have any of your friends? Get some mats, or if you can't afford them, some soft foam sheets. Cover the floor and train! I was a 3rd Kyu brown belt when I started teaching Aikido (that is so far back )! Though make sure you get written and signed agreements that they will not take action against you for injury, or make sure you all get insurance. DON'T even think about going near real knives or katana!!!!! Use wooden tanto and bokken!

Hope that helps.

Osu!
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Old 05-15-2005, 11:24 AM   #24
graham butt
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

No garage,,,. It's a shared accomodatoion thing... Not got much time to practice as we work about 15 hours a day! but i still manage to fit solo stuff in... Good ideas though guys! will make sure i get written agreements!
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Old 05-17-2005, 12:32 AM   #25
Hardware
 
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Re: Solo training without weapons.

Are you on an oil rig?
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