Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > Teaching

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 11-03-2000, 12:05 AM   #1
AikidoSteve
Dojo: Foothills Aikido, Evergreen, Colorado
Location: Evergreen, Colorado, USA
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 25
United_States
Offline
Aikido from a chair.

I have an intermediate level class to teach in the very near future and was wondering if anyone had any information or thoughts on Aikido techniques from a sitting position, like a chair or a stool. I seem to recall hearing about being able to teach Aikido to those who are wheelchair bound, but I have been unable to find any information on this subject. Another reason I am asking this question is that I have a bum ankle that every couple of years or so must remind me I'm not a young as I use to be. And while exhibiting as much Aikifinesse as I could in the comfort of my own home, I twisted the living ki out of it, again. It's still tender so I thought it would be interesting to explore Aikido from a sitting position.

My first thoughts are along the lines that the "techniques" would be very similar to suwari-waza or hanmi-handachi, but with less movement? As there would be no knee walking around the mat or tenkan available.

Just looking for some input.

Thanks - yours in Aikihood

Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson
Confront the enemy with the point of your sword against his face.
-Miyamoto Musashi, "A Book of Five Rings"
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2000, 12:37 AM   #2
Young-In Park
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 60
Offline
A while ago, an instructor (with a "Let's Try It" attitude) and I tried to some techniques while sitting in a chair.

First of all, you have to be aware of your surroundings. For example, many guests on the Jerry Springer show are caught unaware while sitting in chair even though they are in a highly emotional situation.

We used a wooden chair with arm rests. Generally speaking, you have to move forward and meet the incoming attack so you can pivot and/or blend.

After avoiding the inital attack, generally you have to stand up and out of the chair. In our experiments, the uke would fall away or jump over the chair. But I suspect in real life the attacker would collide with the back rest and take the chair with them (and anyone still sitting in the chair).

One last suggestion: put wood slats underneath the legs of the chair so you can practice on the mat without damaging it. If the chair is facing towards the shomen wall, the wood should be perpendicular to the shomen wall (ie one front leg & one back leg on one wood slat).

Young-In Park


  Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2000, 05:12 PM   #3
Richard Harnack
Dojo: Aikido Institute of Mid-America
Location: Maplewood, Missouri
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 137
Offline
Aikido from a chair

Years ago, while I was training with Ace Atkinson, Sensei, at UC Riverside, we had a paraplegic man join class. This provided a challenge for Atkinson, Sensei, but one which he rose to.

Mainly, he emphasized simple wrist techniques combined with drops. Since this man had use of arms, and since he used his arms to get around, once he latched onto you, you were not going anywhere anytime soon. He learned how to move and use his mobility in the wheelchair to his advantage.

In terms of practicing in a regular chair, there is a safety issue involved. Be aware of the possibility of back injury if the chair is knocked backward with you in it, since the back of the chair rests across your mid to upper spine.

Perhaps it is safer to first train in seiza then move to the chair.

Yours In Aiki,
Richard Harnack
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2000, 12:10 AM   #4
AikidoSteve
Dojo: Foothills Aikido, Evergreen, Colorado
Location: Evergreen, Colorado, USA
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 25
United_States
Offline
Thumbs down

Thanks for your very valid thoughts. After considering the points made, I feel it would be best not to proceed with an "Aikido from a chair" class. With a roll of tape and a good wrap job, I'm sure I can come up with a boken or a jo class instead.

Yours in Aikihood
Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson
Confront the enemy with the point of your sword against his face.
-Miyamoto Musashi, "A Book of Five Rings"
  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Omoto-kyo Theology senshincenter Spiritual 80 06-10-2022 08:32 AM
Instructor got mad because I didnt fall actoman Training 192 05-02-2012 02:55 AM
Aikido in Amsterdam, Terry Lax style... tiyler_durden General 11 11-03-2008 08:31 AM
Women and Everybody Else in Aikido George S. Ledyard Teaching 113 03-16-2008 07:27 PM
Philippine ranking and other stories aries admin General 27 06-27-2006 04:27 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:15 PM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate