Gerald Lopez explains basic principles of bokken practice, which will improve bokken technique as well as regular aikido practice. For more information: mindbodyaikido.com
I read somewhere that the reason senseis make their students practice their swing so much is so they relax their muscles from exhaustion and literally cut all movement down to the bare essentials.
Understanding the role of relaxation in Aikido is possibly the hardest aspect. The tension arises from the ego 's intention to be seen to succeed and to "win". I think this is the core of Aikido training, to allow the body and mind to be in a natural state and act naturally. Interesting video.
@@ArtemAuroraAustralis remember with real sword, it is very sharp, so no need to push hard. Let it drop by its own weight. Then it is easy to do the next move.
before i was gripping the sword tight as a different tutorial told me to do so and it was really heavy but when i listened to your advice about being gentle with it i found it was so much lighter
I really appreciate this video. I don't have any Aikido experience but practice Bokken for centering purposes and the clip is great for that purpose. Please keep sharing your wisdom.
Sensei, I recently hand carved my own bokken out of hickory, what an undertaking. Anyway, I have been recovering from a serious MTB accident and I think now I am ready for some bokken basics. This video is exactly what I was looking for. I do not have anyone to practice so I will use your video as a earmark and will record myself and compare it to the video. Domo arigato gozaimasu.
I would appeal to you to continue making such quality and informative videos. Without any pressure or stress however. Simply I am in a place where aikido is not as easily accessible as I would like. And I after many many years of no practice have taken an interest in the art again. I am a beginner so I have found this very helpful. And if you could recommend me any other aikido sensei's channels on RU-vid I would be very grateful. With homage and respect 🙏
Thank you very much Andrew, I really appreciate your kind words. I have hesitated because I realised aikido can not really be taught by video. A few people misunderstood my teaching, and perceived what was not intended. I am considering sharing some ideas and insights I have had over the years. My teacher once told me he kept realising the significance of his own teachers words from many decades previous; that is what I have been experiencing too. Thank you again.
@@mindbodyaikido9586 You are welcome. I completely agree with you about aikido not being entirely teachable through videos. Practically and training is not replaceable. However I will say that you have an aptitude for teaching hence my request. I can also understand regarding people misinterpreting your teachings the fault of which is upon them and not you. I would appreciate it were you to choose to continue sharing your valuable insights thoughts and Ideas however as they are greatly beneficial in understanding the art as an overall. Interesting to me for example is how you elaborate on "ki" something which I was not aware of and fascinated by. Either way there is no pressure upon you. May you continue your path unobstructed.With honour and respect.
Thank you Gerald. I have always been fascinated by Aikido. It is a martial art that harbors compassion for your adversary in it's heart. My family and I just came back from Japan, where I had a unique privilege to acquire a real oak wood Bokken from a lovely lady who is running this second hand traditional attire shop in Asakusa, Tokyo. In the far corner of the shop there was this amazing piece that I just couldn't resist buying as I have a great appreciation for the Japanese culture and art forms. Now I'm really interested to learn how to use it properly and in a non harmful way. I have subscribed to your channel now and perhaps will join a local Dojo if I can find one. Thanks so much for your instruction. Kind regards.
This is good info...I don't hear them explaining this ... your a passionate teacher... lot's of respect for making this video....I wish their is were more like u out there ..
Thank you for this Video . I realised my basic was very bad and it was affecting everything else . I've been working on this with this video for 3 months and I can feel a very good difference already ! My core was not strong enough . Thank alot of this knowledge ! I am gratefull . this was the only video that explained it this way very slowly . It showed me the Harmony in the Discord , I was always striking ton STRONG and too FAST .
Thank you sensei great principals thought I had the put alot of force into the swings I was pretty tired after 10 mins aswell ill put that into practice
I appreciate this video very much. I can’t afford good aikido lessons and received a Bokken as a gift so this has been a great introduction. I very much hope to verse myself further in aikido. I do have a question. Would hand placement on the Bokken change in relation to the lead foot? In other martial arts, this is often the case, so I am unsure. Thank you so much again look forward to seeing more of what you do!
Excellent video, the details it provides are really interesting. Almost no one exposes the subject like this. Thank you very much for sharing. I would like to know your opinion about training with another style of bokuto and especially with one of a higher weight than the standard one (above 600gr) say for example, with a suburi-to or with an Iwama style bokuto. Cheers.
Hi @Mauricio, thanks for your query. I don't really know enough about other styles to comment. The way I was taught does not come from Iwama, it comes from the Budo of Kenshiro Abbe, and also the Aikido of Koichi Tohei. My teacher Ken Williams studied under both, and I believe his teaching was unique. The purpose of the practice was not so much to learn many techniques, as in Saito's teaching, but to learn control as if the weapon was an extension of the hand. As I say in the video, this in turn helps improve hand technique.
@@mindbodyaikido9586 Thank you very much for your reply Sensei. A very unique teaching indeed! In my humble opinion, Kenshiro Abbe Sensei has legendary status. He was an extraordinary and tough man, one of the few judoka who beat Masahiko Kimura fair and cleanly. An Aikidoka of the highest level, same has Williams Sensei. In relation to the technique, I appreciate how you teach the basics to _handle_ the bokuto/bokken. Especially, _the_ respect that must be given to the bokuto _has_ a _weapon_ and the role _it_ plays as the _representation_ of a _living blade_ . Many schools (and some styles) overlook these very fundamental concepts and is indeed very sad. If the bokuto is treated simply as a "stick" in practice, then it is the equivalent to a practice in wich the _core_ of Budo (and thus Aikido) is destroyed form the beginning. On the other hand, my original comment was referred to the _types_ of bokuto/bokken rather than the styles of teaching with this weapons, and if you have practiced with any other of these apart from the classical _shape_ style bokuto (Kendo Kata, has the one seen in the video) and if you could please advise in this matter if possible. Again, thank you very much for your time and for the excellent content. I hope you can share more teachings in future videos. Greetings!
@@airon3348 Thank you for your comments! I do not have knowledge of the types of bokuto/bokken, as we worked just with this type, with jo, and with wooden and live tanto. There is so much to learn! I hope to record more videos explaining the reasons and intent behind aikido forms and movements. This might be helpful as many people try to copy forms as shown e.g. on RU-vid, without understanding the underlying mental and energetic components. I appreciate your sincere and considered feedback, as it really helps me and encourages me. Best wishes, Gerald.
Something that should be mentioned is don't forget your breathing, practice as you sink into the stroke to exhale through your mouth, almost as if you are doing a kiai. You don't have to do the kiai, but the explosive exhalation, and the sinking of your weight adds more power to your stroke, the amazing thing is that you are still relaxed, and balanced.
Yes, you are right. We used to do kiai on the cut. Sensei Williams (and Miyamoto Musashi) talked about the importance of breath. By listening to the breath of an opponent, you can detect their weak phase and enter. Similarly, you must control your breathing so it is smooth in as well as out, so you don't have weak phases (called suki). By weak phase I mean a "gap" in awareness which people can regularly have. Things happen to them and they don't know why or how it happened.
Really thank you for the beautiful video! Just one more thing hopefully will help improve your cuts, if you practice cuts using an iaito (unsharpened sword) and which must have a Bo-Hi - a groove in the blade that help makes a sound -, the sound of the cut helps a lot showing how good and relaxed is your cut! Thank you again for the very helpful video though ☺️☺️
Yes, although sometimes people fall in love with the sound and swing too fast. The swing must be totally natural, then you can parry and cut without stopping.
Hi Errol, that's a great question. So when I say "relaxed," it is not just floppy or dead relaxed, it is relaxation while feeling through the bokken. Try dropping your empty arm while keeping it relaxed, while mentally extending out through the fingers. Your arm will stop with no bounce. With the bokken, mentally extend out through the tip as you drop. You will find, after some practice, that the tip will stop where you want it and stay very steady. That is the secret of precise control, where you can cut with full power, yet stop at any point in the cut. It needs practice.
My karate teacher told me about The wooden sword a long long time ago I really wish I could have stayed in his karate class so I can learn and house or how to use and also perfectly these type of martial arts techniques is actually really is correct incredible when you're using something like this to do eating combat it's how you use the couch with the way of life in martial arts 🥋☯️🙏😌🙏☯️🥋
Jim Goldstein thanks for the feedback! It is 101 cm and about 600 gms . There are different ideas around weights, and some people prefer using heavier bokkens thinking it will make them stronger. The wood is white oak, and was made for me by an aikidoka and craftsman in England in the mid-1980s.
@@mindbodyaikido9586 Thank you. I bought a bokken last week about 45 inches long and weighs about 2.2 pounds. I just got it. Used but looks new. The fellow I got it from has had for about 8 years. Just training with it to see how I like it. I also bought (but not received) a bokken that looks very close to the one you are using. 40 inches long and 1.3 pounds. I am candidly not planning on training for aikado but for exercise. I am 71 years old and always looking to expand my exercise routines. Thank you again.
@@mindbodyaikido9586 Your bokuto is really old! In the video you I can see that it is in excellent condition taking into account its age. Could you please share what has been your maintenance method for your bokuto? Thanks!
@@airon3348 Haha it isn't as old as me! It is only bare wood which I have rubbed with beeswax. This protects it while giving a semi-matt finish and a nice grip. I always carry it around in a bag, and avoid clashing with other bokkens.
I am left handed can I switch to my left hand as the top handle holder? Also thanks a lot for the guidance instructor. I have quite the fascination when it comes to holding the sword, I always have that sort of happiness whenever I get to see and practice with it, just like the times when I was still a child.
You have asked an interesting question! Traditionally, swordspeople always had the sword on the left. That is why in traditional martial arts (Koryu), unarmed sword defence is practised on one side only. However, do what feels good for you - you are your own master!
Sensei. I love bokken work, but don't have a real sword, I see no need. Do others feel the same and just enjoy the Bokken for its own sake? Does this art have a name? Great video, thanks again.
Hello Gerald Lopez, thanks for the teaching. I practice shotokai and start training with bokken. I'll have to buy a bokken. I ask if you have any store or brand references that you can share. I'm in Portugal and I've been looking for bokken made with Japanese oak on Amazon. I would also like to know your opinion about buying the bokken with a handguard. Thanks
The reason why I love the Katana is because as a kid I had to chop wood for the winter. Abe Lincoln chopping log. Then I discovered the Katana and The Electric Guitar. And I’ve been chopping wood ever since.
Hello, you seem surprised by the bukiwaza techniques taugh in O'senseï dojo at Iwama ! ? The story of bukiwaza techniques, come from the fact that Saïto senseï were one of rare post war, daily pupil of O'senseï, living in Iwama village, where O'senseï settle in 1942 ( Periode in named his practice officialy : Aïkido. ). Saïto senseÏ started Aïkido in 1946, a daily practice with O'senseï, untill his death in 1969. When he died O'senseï, named Saïto " inheritor " of the " Aïki Jinja " and of the teaching in Iwama dojo. Weapons practice is one part of the practice elaborated in Iwama, and Saïto senseï, made it intelligible, for uchi-deshi pupils coming from all over the world. In the middle 80 his teaching came in Europe ( Italie, France, ... ) by Paolo Corallini, Philippe Voarino, ... The bukiwaza of Iwama was not taugh in Tokyo Aïkikaï. The representatives teachers of the Aïkikaï ( Tamura, Yamada, Sugano, Miyamoto, Saotome, etc. ) new a part of this practise, as you can see of 70's videos of Aïkido lessons. But changed or " personalized " their practice, by the time. Even my late teacher Pierre Chassang ( FEA chairman until 1989 ) involved himself for the teaching of the " Takemusu Aïkido " by co-creating the " Takemusu Aïkido Intercontinental " with Philippe Voarino ( 7th dan ). I had, like you, I think the opportunity to take lessons with all those named teachers, but when I met Saïto senseï, I realized how clear, deep, precise was his teaching. Hope my speach didn't upset you. Wich you all the best on your way !
Very informative video thank you, it didn't hurt that it felt like I was receiving instruction from Patrick Stewart himself! lol Forgive my humor, it was meant in the most complimentary way possible.
Is it normal for my left forearm to feel muscle cramp or am i holding the bokken to tightly with my left hand? Is it okay to hold it tight using my left? I need help
You should not get cramp in left arm if you allow the bokken to drop as explained in the video. Use the left hand to lift the bokken to just past vertical, where it feels balanced. Then push forward with the right hand, and as it drops, allow the the blade to fall, then tighten slightly with left hand at the bottom of the drop.
V3NOM4K try it out if you can. It should feel balanced, neither end too heavy. Balance is most important. Then later you can get one more suited if you wish.
really appreciate your reply and your video was very useful i will definitely use it to practice my kendo skills when my bokken arrives thank you very much
