When I am doing a move, especially the ones that are difficult for me, my partner needs to tell me that my shoulder are uneven. I am having trouble partly because I am unable to objectively observe myself. Usually only the partner who is above me in dan tells me. Lower dan hold their tongue. To reduce this problem of hierarchy, I try not to correct my lower-ranking partner and to ask for observation. I have inherited the idea that if I am of higher rank, I am supposed to give advice. I am trying to stop this mindset because I want those other sets of eyes out there seeing my imbalance. I want their observations. Start with myself in changing the hierarchical mind set of my Aikido experience. What is your advice for correcting this mindset? I am an old lady and I have plenty of posture problems. I think mindset on the mat matters.
@@EllenMadono hmmm… I’m kind of happily stuck in 1990 - no talking on the mat era. Our Senpai were extremely heavy and extremely connected. So when it didn’t work, nothing happened. But there was silence. So we were able to FEEL and concentrate on the feeling and find our way out of it. we corrected mistakes NATURALLY. I know that training environments are very different these days. Not just in our organization. People give less heaviness when they take ukemi. So Nage is robbed of some valuable lessons. And there’s more talking/advice. So Nage doesn’t really have a chance to develop their own way. Or at least not as much as we did back in the 1990s. Sorry, I know this doesn’t really answer your question or give you clarity on a path forward. But I hope you found it helpful or interesting in some way…
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 How interesting! My sempai from your 1990 days is xx Sensei. I cannot move him most of the time. If he shows me in a modern way, I get it right away. But, really just going away totally frustrated is probably the better lesson. I need to encourage xx Sensei because he is doing the right thing for me. If I can maintain my posture and fail at moving him, maybe that is a victory. I have a hard time being a sempai like xx Sensei. I don’t think I am qualified. Also, my teacher will tell me to take the throw regardless of how it feels. But, you have given me a new appreciation for my frustrations when working with an old timer sempai. Others have told me to move into position even if the tori does not know what the better position is for throwing and does not know how to move me there. Just practice my skills by being in the easy position for a less skilled kohai. That feels right too. Maybe there are no absolute rules. Make every pairing a good quality experience, somehow.
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 There is an irony here. I am following you, because you are able to say what I never hear in a Japanese dojo. I want those clear verbal directions. I am tired of the Japanese need to feel their way through. But, the truth is, you can only learn to feel it on the mat. You have to get your butt kick on the mat. Aikdo is not a mental exercise. Far from it. I hope your followers are getting to your dojo. That’s where the action is.
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 I just got back from practicing with an old timer. He is 73 years old. Heavy. Because of our conversation, I notice that I am not making a good connection through the hara because I have a floating feel of ki. The hard to move, clearly aimed hara is what he is giving me. Not his kata. It is the heaviness that is important. I am so glad to be in touch with you. He is talking a lot. I like that too.
seeing Aikido and expierence it on the mat are two different things in my believe. If you watch O Sensei in his later years it would raise some eyebrows to. I guess it had to be felt. There are also different approaches to Aikido. From self defense to peace and harmony. In my opinion is is difficult to see what is being done, you need to feel it. And yes, if you have enough experience you can stop anything. It is like trading with knowledge, you know what is coming so you can anticipate on it. I believe this is not what an uke should do only when both parties agree to look for weak points. But isn't Aikido about cooperation, gratitude, harmony and sincerity? Again, my two cents.
I love your terms. You call Takeda shihan's no movement axis the "Fulcrum" . He says something like 定... Meaning it is the no movement contact point. You do not want the uke to respond to movement at that point. We were doing the move that you show in the video last week with Takeda Shihan but he only showed it to us. When I watched others doing it, most uke went flying with front ukemi. My uke was a wonderful 4th dan with a bum knee. (3rd and 4th dan are low in this class.) He only went down the way your ukes in the video are responding. I thought at the time, I must be doing it wrong because my results are so drab. But, now that you have given me the term "fulcrum", I see that I was probably getting it. I was not seeing the ura and omote possibilities. Again, I might have been doing it but I did not have the vocabulary. Your videos with the extra off the mat commentary are wonderful. Thank you.
@@EllenMadono what a nice coincidence that you were doing this just last week, Ellen. So glad to hear that you’re finding the videos and lightening and helpful. 🙏🙂
I love it! I also incorporate shotō whenever I get the chance. It truly does change extension and connection for the better. Long swords get in the way, and knife doesn't illustrate extension as well, so short sword is perfect IMHO. I train in Bozeman, Montana.
Thanks so much for your reply! I think I just asked you in a previous message where you train. Now I see your answer. Are you aware that I’ll be teaching in Livingston, Montana Sept 27-29? Hope to see you there! Back to your comment… I rarely come across people who have the insights that you already have around short sword. Extension and connection… Exactly. And yes, the knife does not illustrate it so well. Also, you might find in some of my other videos that I often break swordsmanship rules by letting my pinky and ring finger loosen up so that when the attacker pushes on my short sword, it can seesaw, pushing the butt/handle of my sword toward them, as in atemi. You lose the possibility for that effect with a knife.
This is an honest critique of what I'm seeing, so apologies if it comes across as negative, but I genuinely want to understand why this is presented this way. I'm struggling to see how this technique would work in the way demonstrated for a number of reasons - and I emphasise that these are just my opinions being honest based on my own experience (for what it's worth): 1. The 'attack' is awful (sorry, but it is) and has no power and is not being executed correctly - 'shomen' - the clue is in the name - why is uke/sh'te reaching and placing his hand and arm in the instructor's hands rather than attacking the face/head? That's not an attack and gives absolutely zero energy to the instructor, and even worse, it gives the wrong energy relative to the technique being demonstrated. 2. The instructor is not maintaining contact with the elbow all the way through the technique - in fairness this seems to be a direct consequence of the paucity of the 'attack', and it's only 'working' because uke/sh'te is then trying to be (overly) compliant - but see my comment in penultimate paragraph on instructor putting uke/sh'te where they want them to go. 3. Uke/Sh'te is so focused on non-resistant compliance his body position doesn't make sense in relation to the direction of the technique, and his ground position is not good, bordering on poor, particularly at point where pin should be applied. 4. Why is uke/sh'te looking along his pinned arm? If the pin was applied correctly he simply would not be able to do this as it could potentially damage his shoulder, elbow, and/or neck. It's uke/sh'te's responsibility to correctly protect themselves during the entire execution of the technique, and I'm assuming uke/sh'te in this video is reasonably experienced? 5. Despite talking about keeping the technique in centre, the instructor does allow the elbow to come out of her centre - but I think this more about having an over compliant uke/sh'te not reading the direction and not giving any meaningful energy in the attack more than anything else, but this will inevitably result in having to pull the arm back to the centre in order to complete the technique - this is simple biomechanics. These are my observations - I'm cetainly no expert but I do understand the basic mechanics of these techniques (for what it's worth, I trained for twelve years, and reached black belt, but would only consider myself a beginner in terms of real competence.). Maybe I'm misunderstanding the purpose of the training and why it's being executed this way. Maybe it's because I trained in the Yoshinkan style which certainly has a very different approach to Aikikai. There may well be some kernel of truth about not pushing during techniques (although this is incredibly advanced and requires perfect technique), and the use of sword to emphasise correct technique is certainly legit. But to my mind this is arguably running before you can walk. I believe the true test of any technique is when it's slowed right down into component parts: uke/sh'te should not be able to move/resist/fight back, and should be given the opportunity to attack at *any* point during the technique - only when the technique is executed slowly and you examine from a biomechanical perspective do you find the flaws in execution - as my instructor used to say: go slow to go smooth, go smooth to go fast - *but* test every single aspect of the technique at *each and every* stage, particularly when going slowly, to check if the execution is correct. By 'correct', I mean I should not be able to kick, punch, pull, push, bite, or resist in any shape form or fashion. To my mind, when the technique is executed to this degree of accuracy, then the concept that the instructor in this video describes will naturally become a reality. Then when you go fast, maintain *exactly* the same form and uke/sh'te won't have any option but to go where you put them. This is *not* easy, and I only ever achieved this level a couple of dozen times in all my training, and certainly not consistently - but I 100% know what it feels like when executed correctly. I've had the privilege of training with some amazing Aikidoka many times over the years, most notably: Robert Mustard Sensei, Joe Thanbu Sensei, Dave Rubins Sensei, and Neil Saunders Sensei, and I've felt how awesome these techniques are when despite attacking sincerely and with real energy, you then go on an unstoppable journey to the mat and there is absolutely *nothing* you can do to stop it, and you're buried in between the cracks of the mats, and you get up smiling and asking them to do it again. As Uke/Sh'te you don't get to decide where you fall with these guys - you go where they put you, and you just have to make sure you can defend yourself and fall correctly. And whilst there is incredible, real power, there is no forcing of the technique and no intent to hurt uke/sh'te - no matter how much you resist - although you certainly learn to read the technique and fall correctly! And that's a big reason why I'm struggling to understand what I see in this video, largely because uke/sh'te's execution doesn't make sense to me. Feedback/challenge on my comments are certainly welcome.
Hey there! I think you have a valid point about the uke. Not a very samurai head strike, for sure. On the other hand, I got the impression that the heart of this lesson is about working around the jiku point (sensei calls it the fulcrum), and how that is the key which unlocks this waza in a wonderful way. Suzuki sensei shows that very effectively. So we don't want too throw out the baby along with the bath water, right?
@@delducja Thanks for reply. I suppose I'd ask how you can legitimately know whether or not you are correctly working around the fulcrum if the feedback you are getting from uke/sh'te is questionable? For me it goes back to doing the technique correctly from the outset as much as you can, and that goes as much for uke as it does for nage - once those two conditions are met then you're cooking on gas as far as learning is concerned! I appreciate your comment though as it's good to get different perspectives and challenge things.
First of all, it sounds like you watched the video in its entirety. Thanks so much for that! Secondly, small world! I just had dinner with Joe Thambu sensei last month. Wonderful man! Thirdly, thanks so much for taking the time to leave your critique. I’m about to run to the dojo right now, so sadly, I don’t have time to reply to all of it. But to address just one small part of it, we were working on “suri age” attack, rather than “kiri oroshi” attack. it’s the style of “shomen Uchi” appropriate for when the distance is very close, if that makes sense. So we were working with that attack, whether near or far just for the purposes of this lesson. Are you still training? Gotta run. Thanks again!
Well said. Glad you enjoyed the video and found value in it. As for the strike, we were specifically working with “Suri Age“, (upward slicing) rather than “kiri Oroshi”, (dropping cut). I think I saw that you got on the waitlist for my next book, yes? Where do you train?
Oh. And one more thing… This is actually a continuation from our study of Ikkyo and Irimi nage with Shoto. If you watch it, that might give this video more context and clarify some things. Or not. 🤷♀️ Let me know what you think. Overcoming Pushing in Aikido | Shomen Uchi Ikkyo & Iriminage with Shoto | LA Seminar 2024 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9vaRQKk10QU.html
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 so many ways so many styles so much learn as bruce lee said "Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own"
@@RaeDawnChong66 Somehow I missed this message. So exciting that you’ll be back in time for summer camp! Registration closes in a couple days. Here’s the link: www.aki-usa.org/aki-usa-summer-camp-registration
Dear Lia, Thank you so much for sharing another of the series. For me the better the attack the easier it becomes to execute iriminage. Also the level of uke is important. This is why I pay much attention to that (mostly forgotten) part of Aikido. People can learn a lot from the uke side. I believe O Sensei thought a lot in this way. He threw people a lot. It os so difficult to learn Aikido from ukes point of few. So many people do not give much attention to this side unfortunately. I try to teach both ways and emphasize the importance to do Aikido together so nage (tori) and uke benefit both from Aikido practise and principles like harmony, sincerity, gratitude and love. in his way there is a cohesion between the two partners. In Iriminage it will result in a great and fun to do technique. How do you feel about this? Best wishes and see you soon in Bonn.
@@arjandevries-imajukuaikido exactly. When I lived in Japan and had the opportunity to train regularly with 6th dan, 7th dan, 8th dan etc. practitioners, I was amazed at the consistency of one thing: Of course, they all felt really good when I took ukemi from them. But the ones who felt REALLY special, extremely heavy, yet agile, were the ones who had been thrown a LOT in their younger years. I would tell a Senpai that I trained with so-and-so and they were INCREDIBLE. My Senpai would say, “oh, yeah. Yamaguchi sensei threw him all the time when he was younger.” My point is that there’s a certain quality in our Aikido that we cannot gain any way OTHER than taking ukemi. AND… In regards to a student of mine who wasn’t making much progress, I said to a Senpai that I don’t know why he’s not making progress. He comes to the dojo regularly, and I throw him a lot. My senpai’s answer was a bit harsh, but succinct and accurate. He said that I can’t just be throwing them. That I had to also be very loose while I’m throwing them. Because uke takes on the qualities of Nage through a subconscious, osmosis like process. This was such excellent advice. And so if we reverse this, we can say that having a lousy teacher who never works on themselves is one of the worst things you can do for your Aikido. Undo this muscle memory that you subconsciously gain from such a teacher takes double or triple the amount of time that it took to build. or maybe even longer. Or maybe impossible. Just my two cents. Let me know what you think. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Bonn!
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 I cannot agree more with what you are saying here! At the shoheijuku dojo's in Fukuoka people are very heavy too. I used to do it as well but lately I stoped doing it because people are not realy able to see the difference between heavy and being coorperative and only being heavy and stopping things. No matter how many times I took ukemi for them they were not able to grasp it. That brings me to the next point of being thrown a lot. I started Aikido when I was 26 and before that I had done Taekwondo from the age of 16. So I was young enough to be thrown around. People nowadays tend to start in their 40ties and even their 50ties. Not so flexible anymore I am afraid. So it takes longer to understand the art of ukemi. So in this aspect I have to be loose also because if I am to rigid people get to be thrown much harder and the have difficulty handling this. And yes! We have to work on our own Aikido very hard. I try to do this every day. On and off the mat. Lets keep going Lia Sensei!
Good to hear from you, Carl. Glad you liked the video. Forgive me if I’ve already asked you, but where do you train? Where are you located? I’m doing some traveling in the fall.
Aikido is a difficult martial art to learn but can be used in daily living. No one will attack us in the way that we practice. It's about learning balance, movement, posture, and universal principles and keeping it simple, which is harder than it looks. When we do weapons training, it's not about the weapons but an amplification that shows the flaws in our basic movements. I once saw a feeble Sensei too weak to stand for long. He asked us to attack him hard. We thought we would surely hurt him but no one touched him. He hardly moved but applied the universal principles perfectly. I am in my 70's now and move much better than I did 15 years ago.
Lia, I found this most helpful. I remember doing this at your seminar donkeys years ago in New Zealand (gosh, maybe 20 years ago..?!?). And I practiced it for months thereafter..!! It's great for doing skidding or sliding ukemi on the smooth vinyl tatami and for encouraging the transition to flowing freestyle aikido, an area most people don't know how to approach from fears of not getting it 'right'. But with these seemingly simple tips, our ability to feel confident when movement picks up is greatly enhanced. Fully recommended for people interested in freestyle basics. A+
I used to live 10years in Japan & had practice Aikido for more than 40years, practicing with many Sensei...but according to what should be Martial Art (not a sport), Yamaguchi Sensei was one of few who did real Aikido! I practiced with him in Japan as well as France, where he did come at the request of Tissier Sensei... Natsukashii... Arigato for the video!❤
So glad you enjoyed the video. I had second thoughts about posting it, since it’s so short. So I was very glad to read your message. Yamaguchi Sensei was truly special, wasn’t he? I also lived in Japan for about 10 years. I was in Kamakura. Where were you?
It was great having you over to our dojo. It was a great weekend! Again in 2025! As for the warm-up. I always do the same which I have learned from my old teacher who learned it from Suganuma Sensei. I participated in the warming up with Suganuma sensei himself and watched him carefully every time. He is still very flexible at the age of 83 and an example for me. I do this aiki taiso for more then 30 years. When I teach somewhere else I do the same. At my own dojo ima juku I tend to change the sequence sometimes. People tend to be in there own bubble so this keeps them sharp. Sometimes I do a short version and motivate people to use the time before the training begins to do stretching.
Yes, it was a wonderful time! Very well organized, and really great collection of aikidoka from various dojos! Yes, I also shorten it or even completely omit it with my own students often times for the same reason that you mention. Again in 2025! 🙂👍🥋
I really did not notice this and I get that this is a Summer Camp. Do aikido schools in general normally teach Kote-Gaeshi to White Belts? Is that a standard?
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 no, no, no. Ok, I'm not questioning your ability to teach. I guess.... that in this case it is determined by the person teaching. Perhaps you are using some sort of a syllabus. Today, looking back, I learned to believe that the teacher is correcting the hirer level students first, or they are paying attention to the student that is there the longest. when that person is not there, the next in line gets the attention. I just noticed that some schools will teach White Belts to fall... first. Some will teach the fall (ukemi) at the same time as the throw. as if there is a pairing of moves. My last teacher, a Matsubyashi-ryu karate instructor taught with a calendar. He would cycle the lessons every 2-4 weeks choosing a different lesson. you would get a entry lesson, followed by an intermediate lesson. you would do weapons for 2 weeks and then go back to a different entry level lesson. you would repeat until you did a solid pass of the manual. But that manual was slightly different from school to school. This was along time ago. I myself had the wrist throw practiced on me for a year. (our when I finished paying the guy at that time) I learned what the throw felt like before ever using it. and, I was prevented from talking about it. and, the instructor did not teach wrist escapes.
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 I would love to see you in September. However, I will probably be in Japan during this period. Which I am also looking forward to.
I guess you’re asking if I think it would “work on the street“, yes? This is an exercise, not a self-defense technique. I have zero experience in street fighting, but it seems to me that no one is ever going to attack that way in a street fight. It’s an exercise for people to practice remaining centered and not panicking in the face of physical contact. I don’t teach self-defense.
By “work”, you mean works for self improvement? Reducing stress and anxiety? Improving self awareness and social interactions? Fitness? Health? Or I guess you mean “works“ as in fighting with people? Which one please? And what martial art or sports do you do?
@@liasuzukisvirtualdojo6240 Congratulations! This Shihan, takes with awe and amazement, the ukemi, to your impeccable iriminague. I bow to your mental Aikido. Congratulations! again, Master.
Thanks for watching the video. Glad to hear that you like Aikido. This is one of the attacks in Aikido. So we Aikido practitioners grab each other like this when we are working on this technique. Comes from old samurai days.
I saw your Aiki Expo 2005 demonstration on youtube a while ago and i remembered your name when suddenly this video popped up on my YT recommendations. Uke cannot let go of your hand because of a physiological reaction of uke, and the absence of phyisical power in the hands of tori, its called "sticky hands". the moment tori uses a bit physical power to pull uke's hand (to make him fall), "sticky hands" is lost and uke can let go.
Exactly. And I’m interested in knowing more about this physiological reaction that you speak of. I can DO it. But I want to know how it WORKS physiologically. (If you know…)
