Aikido at UCT

Classes recommence

2008-11-04T20:32:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

Good news! Classes will start again on campus from Thursday 06 November 08.

Instead of Hall 3, we will be training in the old gym, below Hall 3. Entrance though will be from the bottom carpark at the Sports Centre.

We will train at our normal times although we have the possibility of shifting the times if they are too early or too late. Let’s decide on Thursday.

We will be using the gym till just before the summerschool. We will be hosting a training session with Minegishi-san on Thursday 27 November.

28 – 30 November will be the Summerschool in Stellenbosch.

See you on the tatami soon.

Regards,

Ghalib

Sensei Ken Cottier

2008-05-19T21:53:00.002+02:00

Dear All,

I was recently asked, given South Africa's relative isolation over the past 30 years, who I considered to be my teacher(s). And given our relative isolation, the degree of exposure to aikido on the world stage has been relatively small - especially at the time when I started my journey along the aikido path.

But undoubtedly, a strong influence in my formative years has been, and will always be Sensei Ken Cottier - recently promoted to Shihan 7th Dan. He will however will always be Sensei Ken to me.. Or even Gramps to some of us. Sensei Ken was very important to the development of aikido in South Africa, signified also by his election as Honorary Life President of AFSA. But even more important, he was somehow a direct connection to O-Sensei as one of the few gaijin (foreigners) permitted to train with O-Sensei. And yet, as those of us who trained with him still at our 20th anniversary celebrations, it was his humility that always struck one - his huge heart and the time he always had for beginners.

On a personal level, Sensei Ken embodies the spirit of rei, or respect - especially for one's training partner, regardless of their rank. Sensei Ken always demonstrated the mindfulness that in training with you, your partner was giving you a gift, the gift of your development.

Sensei Ken missed our 30th anniversary celebrations in December last year due to ill health. His absence then is only surpassed for me now by the sense of loss I already feel knowing that today he was checked into a hospice in England, knowing his passing is imminent.

This moment comes to us all and what we can do is to remember him in our prayers, and in our remembrance of him make his passing easier.

Hamba Kahle Sensei Ken

And given our recent gradings in Cape Town and Hamburg and the upcoming gradings at our winterschool shortly, perhaps some thoughts from Sensei Ken are appropriate....

Some Thoughts on Grading Examinations

From Ken Cottier Sensei

I have been surprised on a number of occasions by just how badly some students take a failure. On the other hand I have been happy with the mature way in which some have reacted to a disappointment. (I should point out that I have never given a grading in Britain and am referring to my experience in Hong Kong.) I remember that there was one fellow I failed and I actually expected that he would give up Aikido when I informed him. On the contrary, he responded with a smile as though saying "Not to worry: there's always the next time".

Some may feel that they have been treated unfairly in that they have held their present grade much longer than some who have advanced to the next one. But have they been practising, say, just twice a month as distinct from, say, two or three times a week as in the case of those who have moved ahead of them? Another important factor to consider is what level of instruction is one receiving. In other words, some may be under the watchful eye of a senior yudansha, whereas others receive their instruction from perhaps a 2nd or 1st kyu. Some, too, use class time more constructively than others and may even practise at home.

Once, on failing a lady, I asked her how she felt she had done. Since I felt she had not been even near the borderline I did not expect her answer "very well". So what does this tell us? Well, to me, that the examiner sees a lot more than the examinee.

Let's advance on this. Student 'A' makes a number of mistakes in the techniques but get everything else (distance, timing, coordination, manner, etc.) right. Student 'B', on the other hand, makes no mistakes in the techniques but gets everything else wrong. If we observe a 3rd kyu, shodan, sandan and rokyudan executing shiho-nage, although basically they are all doing the same thing, there are differences between them.

Then there are those who almost demand to be graded in spite of having reached a stage where they do not seem to be able to progress any further for reasons such as past injuries, age, attendance or attitude. In the case of such people I sometimes wonder why in practising with people of the same grade or of lower grades, they cannot evaluate themselves. Then there is the opposite of this when students of a certain grade refuse to go further. In the days when I practised Judo there was one fellow I remember who stopped taking grades at 1st kyu although he probably reached nidan level. He used to delight in flinging dan grades around!

In awarding grades I do take into consideration age, in that I do not expect a 58 year old student to perform in the same way as a 20 year old. As for yudansha I look for a lot more than technique as I feel that a hakama in the wrong hands, so to speak, can do a lot of damage to Aikido, especially in areas where a shodan grade is quite significant.

Some years ago we had in Hong Kong a very good, very big, very strong student whom everyone enjoyed practising with. In other words, nobody was afraid of him. To me this said a lot when I came to grade him shodan. In Hong Kong all those wishing to try for shodan must first discuss it with a senior grade (we have 5 yondan) - usually the one who has most influenced them.

Hong Kong is often referred to as the crossroads of Asia, it being the stopping-off point to Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, the Philippines, etc. On visiting the dojo I have often found that we had a visitor from abroad. Over the years some that sported hakama in my opinion were not of dan grade standard. Nevertheless I have always welcomed them and not made them feel uncomfortable. After all, it is those who awarded such grades who should be accountable. I constantly tell our students that if they visit another country and are below par, it is me that it reflects on.

In conclusion let me say 'do not worry about grades unduly: they will come with the years'. Some of you may feel - as once I did - that you will never wear a hakama. But excluding accidents or other unforeseen circumstances, you will.

Successful Grading Results

2008-04-20T08:21:00.007+02:00

At what was arguably the largest kyu grading event ever hosted in the Western Cape, students from the UCT Aikido Club put in a very good showing.

Held at the Mushindo Dojo in Cape Town, space was crowded on the tatami, the nerves and the sweat showed, but the standard of aikido was very pleasing.

We congratulate the following students who graded successfully to 6th kyu:

Bianca Wagener
Cameron Howie
Karlind Govender
Le Roux Steyn
Matthew Segal &
Muhle Maluleka

The following students successfully graded to 5th kyu:

Apurva Kumar
Barbara Herndler &
Mark Truyens.

Well done all of you! You made us proud.

Change of Seasons Beach Training

2008-04-14T14:42:00.004+02:00

In honour of the changing seasons, and since we have just said good-bye to the Zodiac sign of Pisces, we held our regular Sunday morning training on the soft white sands of Clifton's 3rd beach.

The early morning air was thick with sea spray, the thundering waves played a maritime march as background music to our training and the practice took on a particularly nautical theme: kokyo-nage and tenchi-nage flowed like the movement of the waves over the rocks...

As the sun rose and even one gigantic wave tried to join us where we were training on the shore, our attention turned to working with bokken and tanto and then finally to facing weapons unarmed.

We presented the regulars at Clifton with a peculiar sight, creating a lot of interest from passers-by.
We rounded off the session with some wicked ice-cream combinations from Sinn-full in Camps Bay. Autumn in Cape Town is still a special time....
Our next training outdoors will have to involve the mountains of Cape Town somehow :-)

2008: The Beginning....

2008-02-18T19:28:00.004+02:00

2008 kicked off to a promising start this past weekend with the UCT Club hosting its Annual Orientation Weekend in Hall 3. This event was also the first joint month-end training session of the Western Cape Aikikai. Over the course of the two days, new students and old explored various aspects of the art of Aikido. From learning how to walk and turn again (didn't we know how to do that???) to getting to grips with the challenge of making the ground your friend while learning the graceful art of rolling.
Students learnt to remain zen while under attack, to keep centre and to relax into a technique rather than force it.

Sensei John Ulster demonstrated a number of immobilisations; Sempai Regina introduced everyone to the notion of keeping centred while moving or rolling; Sensei Ghalib stretched our tired muscles and overflowing brains with operating in three dimensions and the evolution of aikido from armed styles of martial arts.

And of course the braai on Saturday afternoon presented the ideal opportunity to get to know one another off the mat. With a special mention reserved for the pukka German potato salad!

A warm word of thanks to everyone who made this weekend a success, some travelling in from Paarl to come and train - we even had Brandon fly in from England to join us!!!

2008 is looking bright.

See you on the tatami soon!

Together under African Skies

2007-12-06T17:33:00.001+02:00

AFSA (the Aikido Federation of South Africa) celebrated 30 years of Aikido in South Africa - training together under African skies in Cape Town. The UCT Aikido Club, one of the oldest in the country, played host to the celebrations from November 27 - December 02, 2007.

The event drew more than120 local and international practitioners of the art - from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned senior black belts. Russian, Scottish, Italian, Japanese, German, Dutch and Australian aikidoists mingled with those from Cape Town, Johannesburg & Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, East London & Grahamstown, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom.

In fine African tradition, there was a "Big Five" - international lead instructors who each brought their own flavour to the training.

Heading the line-up was the representative from Hombu dojo and the Doshu, Shihan Hayato Osawa (7th dan). Osawa Shihan was eight years old when he became a member at Hombu Dojo. At the time, his father (Kisaburo OSAWA) was Dojo Cho of Hombu Dojo. Kisaburo Osawa was an influential aikido teacher who taught for many years at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo and was a close advisor to Kisshomaru Ueshiba.
He held the rank of 9th dan.
Today Shihan Hayato Osawa is seen to be one of the most prominent and loved instructors at Hombu dojo. He has taught seminars all over the world as Hombu representative. He was otomo for Kisshomaru Doshu for many years and continues his undying support for the current Doshu. Attending AFSA’s 30th anniversary marked Osawa Shihan’s first visit to the African continent.
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Also instructing was Shihan Yoji Fujimoto (7th dan).

Fujimoto Shihan was born in 1948 in Hagi in Japan. His teachers were Tohei Koichi Sensei and, later on, Masuda Sensei. In 1971 Fujimoto San who was at that time Sandan, went to Italy where he met Tada Sensei. He lives in Milan where he established Dojo Milano and became Vice Instructor of Aikikai d'Italia.

Fujimoto San teaches Aikido in Milan, but almost every weekend he holds seminars in other towns and for many years, a Summer Seminar in Laces in the wonderful mountain region of North Italy during July. Moreover he assists Tada Sensei in the main Italian Aikido events: an Easter Seminar, Summer Seminar and a Fall Seminar. He also teaches in Yugoslavia and Ireland and he is often invited to hold seminars in Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Russia etc. Since 1994 Fujimoto Shihan has held the rank of 7th Dan. Fujimoto Shihan was chief instructor at AFSA’s 25th anniversary in 2002.For more information about Fujimoto Shihan please visit his web site.

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Another instructor with warm ties to South African aikido is Sensei Mitsuko Minegishi (6th dan).

Minegishi Sensei started her aikido career at Hombu dojo in 1972. She was educated in Japan and the United States. She received her 1st degree black belt from Hombu dojo and taught aikido at Smith College, Amherst College, University of Massachusetts, Keen State College and the University of New York. She received her 6th dan from Hombu dojo in 1998. She founded and is the chief instructor of Kiribati, Saipan and Guam Aikikai.

She started visiting countries such as Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Italy and South Korea upon invitation. Minegishi Sensei took part in AFSA’s 25th anniversary in 2002, and has frequently visited us since then.

For more information about Mitsuko Minegishi Sensei please visit her web site.

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Rounding up the international instructors was Sensei Franco Martufi (6th dan).

Franco Martufi Sensei started aikido at the age of 14.
He trained extensively with Veneri, Hosokawa, Fujimoto and Tada Sensei.

He has taught in various places, including Rome, Florence, Oristano, Olbia, Reggio Emilia, Russia ( Moscow, Pskov, Kirov, Krasnodar, Togliatti, Tumen), South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein, Heidelberg, East London, Stellenbosh, Paarl…), Estonia (Tallin), Ireland (Sligo), Jordan (Amman), England (Abingdon, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury), and Scotland (Edinburgh).

He is today 6th Dan Aikikai and the AFSA Jokyushidoin and conducts classes at the annual AFSA Aikido Winterschool and Summerschool.

For more information about Franco Martufi Sensei please visit his web site.

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From South Africa Sensei Paul de Beer (5th dan) shared his experience and training as one of the founder members of AFSA.

Sensei de Beer has more than 30 years experience in aikido and other Japanese martial arts and still trains actively. He carries the honorary title of Shidoin within AFSA and instructs at
national seminars.
Mr de Beer started his martial arts career in 1966. He studied karate under
Richard Salmon sensei (5th Dan, Budo Ryu) and to a lesser extent also with Stan Schmidt sensei (now 8th Dan, Shótokan), the charismatic fathers of SA Karate.

Mr de Beer founded the Bloemfontein Aikikai in 1978 and the Pretoria Aikikai a year later in 1979. He was a founder member of the Confederation of South African Martial Arts. The University of Pretoria presented him with an honorary award for his special contribution to Aikido at TUKS in 1991.

Although the pioneering years of South African aikido were extremely tough, Mr
de Beer was fortunate to always be under the constant influence of instructors with direct ties with the Hombu dojo in Japan and also even with the Founder. His teachers are named below in chronological order: Messrs C Smart (3rd Dan, Aikikai), K Cottier (now 6th Dan, Aikikai Shihan), G
Veneri (6th Dan, Aikikai; Former Chairman of the IAF), F Martufi (6th Dan, Aikikai), Mrs M Minegishi (6th Dan, Aikikai).

Training was intense but always fun. Hall One of the Sports Centre was transformed into a giant white tatami, and the light that streamed in through the skylights, reflected off the canvas to provide a truly "enlightening experience".

While this was by far the highest concentration of senior dan grades ever seen in South Africa, the celebration owed its success in a large part to the spirit of all of the participants on the mat. Old friends reconnected, new friendships were formed, every pairing on the mat offered new lessons to be learnt and different approaches to be explored.

In Aikido, one owes so much to one's uke, one's partner, without whom it is virtually impossible to uncover the intricacies of the technique. And with the range of ukes on the mat, one was often stuck for choice.

On Saturday 01 December, an embukai - or public demostration - was held to share that spirit and the beauty inherent in aikido also with the general public.

After the final training on Sunday 02 December 2007, with weary bodies, sore muscles but also with a soaring spirit, we went our separate ways - richer for the experience, sad that it was over, and touched by all with whom we had come into contact. That is the true meaning of "training together under African skies".

Some Pix from the Month-end Training May 2007

2007-07-08T18:09:00.000+02:00

May 2007 - Month-end class

2007-07-08T17:31:00.000+02:00

The last weekend in May saw students from all the Aikido clubs in Cape Town converge on UCT for the bi-monthly joint training session. 3 training sessions were held, led respectively by Sensei Bruce Alleman (Fish Hoek dojo), Sensei Elroy Goliath (Paarl dojo) and Sensei Ghalib Galant (UCT).
Nearly 4 hours of training was then followed by a grading for students from all of the dojos.

Congratulations to our fellow UCT aikidoists who all passed their 6th kyu gradings:

Apurva Kumar,
Barbara Herndler,
Hermann Vivier,
Matthew Campbell and
Mark Klein.

April Fool's Day Ramble

2007-07-03T11:12:00.000+02:00

A few of us tackled the rather tough trail above Kalk Bay on April 01 ;-) Braving the weather (it was a bright sunshiny day) and the lurking muggers (we only encountered a few fellow hikers who were heading the wrong way), the bunch of intrepid aikidoists from the Club swapped the tatami for the gravel track above Kalk Bay.

A good time was had by all - including brunch at the Brass Bell overlooking the sea. Next time, I hope more of you will join in.. There are still lots of places to discover in and around Cape Town ;-)

Ghalib

AFSA Grading Syllabus

2007-03-18T20:04:00.001+02:00

AFSA Grading Syllabus

Sixth Kyu

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum 20 hours of training; Two (2) months of exercise from the date of joining

Preliminary exercises:

Aikitaiso – Ukemi - Taisabaki

Tachiwaza:

Katatetori Aihanmi	Iriminage
Katatetori Aihanmi	Kotegaeshi
Katatetori Aihanmi	Ikkyo	Omote & ura
Katatetori Aihanmi	Shihonage	Omote & ura
Katatetori Aihanmi	Uchikaiten Sankyo

Fifth Kyu

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum 20 hours of training; Two (2) months of exercise from the date attaining Sixth Kyu

Preliminary exercises:

Kokyu Ho
Shikko

Tachiwaza:

Shomenuchi	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Shomenuchi	Nikyo	omote & ura
Shomenuchi	Kotegaeshi
Shomenuchi	Iriminage
Katatetori	Shihonage	omote & ura
Katatetori	Udekimenage	irimi & tenkan
Katatetori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Katatori	Ikkyo	omote & ura

Suwariwaza:

Shomenuchi	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Katatori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Kokyu ho

Fourth Kyu

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum 60 hours of training; Three (3) months of exercise from the date attaining Fifth Kyu

Tachiwaza:

Katatetori	Tenchinage
Katatetori	Nikyo	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Iriminage
Ryotetori	Shihonage	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Tenchinage
Ryotetori	Udekimenage
Ryotetori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Kokyunage
Katateryotetori	Kokyunage
Shomenuchi	Sankyo	omote & ura
Shomenuchi	Sankyo	uchikaiten
Yokomenuchi	Shihonage	omote & ura
Yokomenuchi	Iriminage
Yokomenuchi	Kotegaeshi
Yokomenuchi	Udekimenage
Chudantsuki	Iriminage
Chudantsuki	Kotegaeshi
Chudantsuki	Udekimenage
Chudantsuki	Uchikaitensankyo
Jodantsuki	Ikkyo	omote & ura

Suwariwaza:

Shomenuchi	Nikyo	omote & ura
Shomenuchi	Iriminage
Katatori	Nikyo	omote & ura

Third Kyu

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum 90 hours of training; Four (4) months of exercise from the date attaining Fourth Kyu

Tachiwaza:

Katatetori	Uchikaitennage
Katatetori	Sankyo	omote & ura
Katatetori	Yonkyo	omote & ura
Katateryotetori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Katateryotetori	Nikyo
Katateryotetori	Kotegaeshi
Ryotetori	Kotegaeshi
Ryotetori	Kokyunage
Shomenuchi	Yonkyo	omote & ura
Shomenuchi	Gokyo
Yokomenuchi	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Yokomenuchi	Uchikaitensankyo
Yokomenuchi	Tenchinage
Chudantsuki	Sankyo	omote & ura
Chudantsuki	Hijikimeosae
Chudantsuki	Sotokaitennage

Ushirowaza:

Ryotetori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Nikyo	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Sankyo	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Hijikimeosae
Ryotetori	Kotegaeshi
Ryotetori	Shihonage
Ryotetori	Iriminage

Suwariwaza:

Shomenuchi	Kotegaeshi
Shomenuchi	Sankyo	omote & ura
Katatori	Nikyo	omote & ura
Katatori	Sankyo	omote & ura

Second Kyu

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum 110 hours of training; Five (5) months of exercise from the date attaining Third Kyu

Tachiwaza:

Shomenuchi	Jiyuwaza
Yokomenuchi	Nikyo	omote & ura
Yokomenuchi	Sankyo	omote & ura
Yokomenuchi	Yonkyo	omote & ura
Yokomenuchi	Gokyo
Katateryotetori	Iriminage
Katatori Menuchi	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Katatori Menuchi	Shihonage	omote & ura
Katatori Menuchi	Kotegaeshi
Katatori Menuchi	Iriminage
Katatori Menuchi	Koshinage
Munetori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Munetori	Sankyo	omote & ura
Munetori	Shihonage
Jodantsuki	Nikyo	omote & ura
Jodantsuki	Sankyo	omote & ura
Maegeri	Iriminage

Ushirowaza:

Ryokatatori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Ryokatatori	Nikyo	omote & ura
Ryokatatori	Sankyo	omote & ura
Ryokatatori	Iriminage
Ryokatatori	Kotegaeshi
Ryohijitori	Kotegaeshi
Ryohijitori	Iriminage
Katatetori Kubishime	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Eritori	Ikkyo	omote & ura

Suwariwaza:

Shomenuchi	Yonkyo	omote & ura
Shomenuchi	Sotokaitennage
Ryokatatori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Chudantsuki	Kotegaeshi
Jodantsuki	Ikkyo	omote & ura

First Kyu

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum 160 hours of training; Eight (8) months of exercise from the date attaining Second Kyu

(At least 80 hours during the last 4 months)

Tachiwaza:

Munetori Menuchi	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Munetori Menuchi	Nikyo	omote & ura
Munetori Menuchi	Sankyo	omote & ura
Munetori Menuchi	Koshinage
Jodantsuki	Yonkyo	omote & ura
Jodantsuki	Iriminage
Jodantsuki	Shihonage	omote & ura
Jodantsuki	Sotokaitennage
Jodantsuki	Ushirokiriotoshi
Jodantsuki	Koshinage
Yokomenuchi	Jiyuwaza
Chudantsuki	Jiyuwaza
Maegeri	Jiyuwaza

Ushirowaza:

Ryotetori	Yonkyo	omote & ura
Ryotetori	Kokyunage
Ryotetori	Koshinage
Katatetori Kubishime	Sankyo
Katatetori Kubishime	Hijikimeosae
Eritori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Eritori	Sankyo	omote & ura
Eritori	Koshinage

Suwariwaza:

Shomenuchi	Jiyuwaza
Ryokatatori	Sankyo	omote & ura
Ryokatatori	Yonkyo	omote & ura
Katatori Menuchi	Iriminage
Katatori Menuchi	Kotegaeshi
Katatori Menuchi	Kokyunage

Hanmihantachiwaza:

Katatetori	Ikkyo	omote & ura
Katatetori	Shihonage	omote & ura
Katatetori	Uchikaitennage
Ryotetori	Shihonage	omote & ura

Shodan
(First dan)

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum 240 hours of training; Twelve (12) months of exercise from the date attaining First Kyu. Minimum age to partake for examination is 14 years.

Part I:

During the official meeting the teaching committee will observe the candidates’ proficiency and effectively in the following areas: breathing, posture and general technique.

Part II:

Breathing exercises

Basic Techniques:

· Tachiwaza

· Hanmihantachiwaza

· Suwariwaza

· Ushirowaza

Variations of basic techniques

Tantodori

Particular forms and variations of attack and defence

Nidan
(Second dan)

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum two and a half (2,5) years of training since being awarded the degree of Shodan

(Four (4) Years since being awarded the degree of Shodan Suisen).

Part I:

During the official meeting the teaching committee will observe the candidates’ proficiency and effectively in the following areas: breathing, posture and general technique.

Part II:

The examinee must show a much-improved technical ability since being awarded Shodan.

Part III:

Jodori

Futaridori

Basic Aikiken

Sandan
(Third dan)

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum three (3) years of training since being awarded the degree of Nidan

(Four (4) years since being awarded the degree of Nidan Suisen)

Part I:

During the official meeting the teaching committee will observe the candidates’ proficiency and affectivity in the following areas: breathing, posture and general technique.

Part II & III:

The examinee must show a much-improved technical ability since being awarded Nidan.

Part IV:

Aikiken

Aikijo

Yondan
(Fourth dan)

Conditions necessary in order to be allowed into the exam:

Minimum four (4) years of training since being awarded the degree of Sandan

(Five (5) years since being awarded the degree of Sandan Suisen)

Part I:

During the official meeting the teaching committee will observe the candidates’ proficiency and affectivity in the following areas: breathing, posture and general technique.

Part II, III & IV:

The examinee must show a much improved technical ability since being awarded Sandan.

Godan
(Fifth dan)

Directly nominated by Zaidan Hoshin Aikikai (Japan) following Technical Director’s indication.

technorati tags:aikido, syllabus, AFSA

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Makko-ho exercises

2007-03-18T16:32:00.001+02:00

I am often asked for some stretching exercises we can do at home, by ourselves. At the beginning of the class there are many warm-up exercises that we do. I would recommend doing at least the following 4 exercises (collectively known as makko-ho) as a way of keeping the body supple and teh energy flowing freely.

Makko-ho is a traditional Japanese sequence of stretches that are very helpful in preparing the body for zazen, aikido or shiatsu. The postures are done in order, and typically held for a minute each. You can of course hold them longer or shorter as you are able.

Enter into each pose gently and attentively. Breath deeply and slowly. Use caution when performing these stretches and do not force yourself into any position. Few are able to do these stretches to their full extent, so the photographs below show each of the poses in both the full and partial form. Overextending your stretches is counterproductive and will only make you tighter. Practice regularly -set aside 5-10 minutes in the morning or evening - and your body will become more flexible and you will be able to practice zazen, aikido or shiatsu that more easily.

Position 1
The legs are spread wide and bottoms of the feet are placed together and drawn as close to the groin as one is able. Ideally the legs are flat against the floor. The trunk is extended as close to the floor as possible, with the arms extended over the head.

Easier version:

More advanced:

Position 2
Next, the legs are straightened and the trunk bent as far forward as possible. The arms reach forward and hands grasp the legs or feet.

Easier version:

More advanced:

Position 3
Next, the legs are spread as wide as possible, and the trunk and arms extended forward as far as one comfortably can.

Easier version:

More advanced:

Position 4
In the last pose, the legs are folded back so your feet are by your hips, and lower your back to the ground and extend your arms over your head.

Easier version:

More advanced:

You can also support the back by leaning on a pillow or against a couch:

Zen Center of Denver : Getting Started

technorati tags:aikido, stretching, makko-ho

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Some Terms Explained

2007-03-18T08:10:00.001+02:00

Hanmi: our stance. Feet about shoulder width apart. Heel and toes in line at about a 90 degree angle. 60% of your body weight should be resting on your front foot. Migi hanmi means right stance; Hidari hanmi means left stance.

Ai-hanmi - "harmonious/mutual stance" describes both partners having the same foot forward (i.e right/right; left/left)
Gyaku-hanmi - "opposite/reverse stance" describes when the partners are facing each other with opposite feet (i.e left/right or right/left)

Kamae: "ready posture" describes your state of readiness having adopted a relaxed stance with your leading hand curved and outstretched before you, your rear hand lightly protecting your lower half.

Ukemi: a way to protect yourself when thrown by rolling or "taking uke"

mae ukemi - forward roll
ushiro ukemi - backward roll
yoko ukemi - side roll

Tai sabaki: body movements which form the building blocks for our aikido techniques.

irimi - entering (with the body). Slide your back foot forward, settle into your new hanmi.
tenkan - turning (180 degrees). Lift the heel of the leading foot, swivel on it, draw your rear foot back as you swing around to face in the opposite direction.
irimi tenkan - a combination of the the above two movements, first entering then turning. Avoid making a half-turn in the first phase of the movement.
tsugi ashi - slide /continuous step. Slide the front foot forward, then slide the back foot up until you regain your shoulder width stance.

Attacks:

katate-dori: wrist being held

Techniques:

ikkyo - 1st principle of aikido, immobilisation technique
irimi-nage - entry throw. Also affectionately known as the 21-year technique
shiho-nage - 4-corner throw

technorati tags:aikido, techniques, terms

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Weekend Seminar with Sensei Guenter Heck from Berlin:

2007-03-09T16:41:00.000+02:00

What a great start to our year! Instead of our traditional training weekend at the end of Orientation Week, we were treated instead to a weekend of training with 4th dan instructor and President of the German Aikido Federation, Guenter Heck.

Starting on Friday evening, he brought his own light, jovial style of teaching to bear on the class making everyone from seasoned yudansha to beginners with 3 weeks experience feel comfortable and included. He emphasised the importance of tai sabaki - clear body movements - and returned time and time again to the need for precision whether one practiced in tachi-waza (standing technique) or hanmi-handachi waza (one partner kneeling) or suwari-waza (both partners kneeling). It is a testament to his experience that even complicated and sometimes scary techniques like koshi-nage (hip throw) were dealt with in a manner that everyone on the mat felt comfortable enough to try them.

On Saturday morning there was a beginners' only session focussing on the basic body movements and rolling. However, as is usual for an aikido session, even at this session some of the senior grades joined in to the benefit both of themselves and of the beginners. Thereafter 2 more sessions followed leaving those of us who trained exhausted but happy to have the opportunity to spend such quality time on the mat.

On Sunday morning we had a special bokken (wooden sword) session. Sensei Heck holds a dan grade in iaido and it is clear that his familiarity with the katana (sword) has had an influence on the precision of his aikido.

One final exhortation that stands out for me from this weekend was the reminder from O-Sensei that Aikido should be practiced by considerate people, that it must be effective in its execution and that it should equally be elegant to watch. Sensei Heck's fluid style embodied all three of thos principles.

You can see some more pix of the training at http://picasaweb.google.com/ghalib.galant/SeminarMarch2007 . Also if you have any thoughts you would like to share about your own experience of training on the Weekend seminar, please email me at ghalib.galant@gmail.com

Weekend Seminar with Sensei Guenter Heck 02-04 March 2007

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The University of Cape Town Aikido Club

Presents a

WEEKEND SEMINAR

Led by

Sensei Günter Heck, 4th dan

Günter Heck is one of the founders of the German Aikido Federation. He holds a Yondan (4th Dan) in Aikido, Nidan (2nd Dan) in Karate and Shodan (1st Dan) in Iaido and has been practicing Aikido since 1983. His teachers have been Katsuaki Asai (8th Dan AIKIKAI), Seishiro Endo (8th Dan AIKIKAI) and Christian Tissier (7th Dan AIKIKAI). He is currently the President of the German Aikido Federation

Venue: Hall 3, UCT Sports Centre
Dates: March 02 – 04, 2007

Friday 02 March
18h00 Admin
18h30 – 20h30
Keiko 1

Saturday 03 March
08h30 Admin
09h00 – 10h30
Keiko 2
Beginners Class*
(Sensei Ghalib Galant)

10h45 – 12h30
Keiko 3

Lunch

13h30 – 15h00
Keiko 4

18h00 onwards
Sundowners on Clifton 3rd beach

Sunday 04 March
08h30 Admin
09h00 – 10h00
Keiko 5
Bokken class **

10h30 – 12h30
Keiko 6
Lunch

* Keiko 2 is a free session open to beginners from all dojos. The focus of this session will be on basic tai no henko (body movements)
**for Keiko 5 on Sunday morning, prior experience of working with bokken is required.

Cost: R50 per individual session; R200 for attendance at the whole weekend.
Contact: Ghalib Galant: 083 797 7095
Regina Lindau: 073 969 2267

Welcome to 2007

2007-02-26T08:23:00.000+02:00

Now that the dust has settled on the madness that is Orientation Week and the craziness of selling Sax Appeal is a distant memory, now we can settle into the important job of adjusting to this sometimes alien place called UCT.

And as you navigate your way from the New Science Lecture Theatre to the Kramer Building and back to the Arts Block, don't forget that you also promised yourself you would come try out Aikido. Mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body) as you learn in Latin Intensive ;-)

We train in Hall 3 of the Sports Centre at the following times:

Tuesday: 19h30 - 21h00
Thursday: 18h00 - 19h30
Sunday: 10h30 -12h00

Currently all the sessions are focussed on getting beginners to understand the movements that underline the art - so it's a great time to start! Later in the semester we will differentiate the classes.

As from 12 March we will be having an advanced class every Monday evening from 18h30 - 20h00. Those classes will take place at the Ju-Jitsu club dojo at Valkenberg in Observatory. Having that venue also means that we will be able to train even during exams and the extended vac times.

Another very exciting event is the visit by 4th dan instructor Guenter Heck from Berlin. He will lead a weekend seminar from Friday 02 - Sunday 04 March (next weekend). On Saturday 03 March there will be a free session focussing on the basics which I hope all of you will attend. Saturday evening we're hoping to do sundowners on Clifton's 3rd beach.

Guenter will also be teaching at various dojos in the Western Cape in the week of 5-10 March.

This promises to be a full year given that the Club is central in hosting the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the Aikido Federation of South Africa in November this year.

On a more personal front:

Last year saw two of our members tying the knot. Mark, our Chairman last year, married long-time sweetheart, Bronwyn;

and Brandon and Ellen created a joint balance sheet in December. We wish both couples well in their lives together.

So... I'll see you on the mat soon. Hall 3, Sports Centre. If you have any queries, drop me an email ghalib.galant@gmail.com or call me on 083 797 7095

Ghalib

2007-01-29T11:51:00.000+02:00

SOME BASICS

We are often asked how our classes work. Sometimes we have special beginner workshops, but don't wait until then to begin! At general practice, all levels practice together, and everyone should adjust their technique to the level of their partner. (This is actually an important aspect of training for everyone.)

Some general rules of thumb are:

Take care of your partner and yourself i.e., don't injure others by training above their level; and
Don't risk injury by training above your own level;
Be sure to let everyone know if you have special training needs--training tape, a bandana, armband or other marker can be tied on to help everyone remember.

The best way to check us out is to visit a class (either by watching or by participating), but many people like to know what to expect.

Here is some basic information on etiquette, but just follow along:

When it is time for class to begin, everyone lines up (sitting in seiza, or kneeling) along the line on the mat. The instructor then walks onto the mat, and everyone bows toward the front, then claps twice, then bows again toward the front. (This is a Japanese tradition, but some people prefer not to clap. That's fine.) The instructor then turns toward everyone, and all bow, saying onegaishimasu ("oh-nay-guy-she-mahs" meaning “please”).

The instructor then leads everyone in a series of breathing, stretching and warm-ups exercises.

Then everyone will line up again, and the instructor will call someone up to help demonstrate the first technique. (If you have bad knees, you may sit cross-legged rather than kneeling during this time.) After the demonstration, find a partner to practice with (just turn toward someone and bow, saying onegaishimasu). You will be uke (receive the technique) four times (twice on each side), and then you will be nage (do the technique) four times, etc., until the instructor claps. Then everyone lines up, and the rest of class continues this way. (We usually change partners every technique). If you find there is an odd number of students, the partnerless person should kneel or sit cross-legged at the edge of the mat, facing any practicing pair. The practicing pair should notice the third partner and rotate him/her into their practice.)

At the end of class, everyone lines up and repeats the beginning bowing sequence. This time the when you bow to the instructor, you will say “Arigato gozaimashita” (Thank you for teaching me”).

After the instructor leaves the mat, the next most senior person (sitting on the far right of the mat) will call “dojo rei” at which time everyone bows to the front of the dojo. You are then free to bow to the people you have trained with during the course of the session to thank them.

Then clear the mat as quickly and quietly as possible to make way for the next class.

Finally, remember that everyone was a beginner once! Our club founder, the late Jos Niehaus Sensei, placed strong emphasis on first learning to give good attacks and take good ukemi (rolling, etc.), in order to be able to practice at a higher level more quickly and thus able to improve in technique more quickly.

2007-01-29T11:48:00.000+02:00

SO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE CLUB?

Beginners are always welcome. You are also welcome to come and watch or try a session before joining the club. If you want to try a class, please wear loose clothes such as sweat pants and a T-shirt if you don't have a gi. (You can buy a gi through the club if you need one).

Membership is open to anyone at UCT and to the general public (i.e., you do NOT need to be a student to join). To join, just come to any regular practice session and talk to the instructor.

FEES

Registered UCT students & staff: R200/annum (charged to your fee account where appropriate)

Non-UCT members: R100/ month

You are invited to come and train for up to 4 sessions with us before you are required to pay any fees.

If you intend to continue your practice of Aikido you will be required to join the Aikido Federation of South Africa (AFSA). For an annual fee of R250, you will be able to practice at any of the other AFSA dojos and will be eligible to take part in gradings, which are registered with AFSA.

2007-01-29T11:31:00.000+02:00

Club Executive

In a vain attempt to add some organisation to our club, we elect (often in absentia) a devoted few to help run our dojo. At the current moment the hard-working hostages are:

Chair Mark Truyens 072 - 530 5785

Vice-Chair Ashvind Beetul 078 - 3019897

Secretary Regina Lindau 073 - 969 2267

Finance Officer Manuel Berndorfler 084 - 351 8447

Instructor (ex officio) Ghalib Galant 083 -797 7095

2007-01-29T11:24:00.000+02:00

Club Instructors:

Assistant instructor – Regina Lindau, 2^nd kyu

Sempai Regina Lindau has been training for approximately 6 years. She started training in Berlin under the tutelage of Guenter Heck Sensei (4th Dan). She also spent a year studying on campus in 2004 training primarily at UCT. After returning to Germany in 2005 , she has subsequently relocated to Cape Town where she also practices reiki and shiatsu amongst other things.

2007-01-29T11:20:00.000+02:00

Club Instructors:

Senior Club Instructor: Ghalib Galant (3^rd dan)

Ghalib Galant Sensei started his aikido training at the UCT club in 1987 under the tutelage of the late Jos Niehaus Sensei. He graded to shodan under Matthew Holland Sensei (6^th dan, Aikikai) – head of the Scottish Aikido Federation - in 1993.

In 2006 he was promoted to 3^rd dan by Franco Martuffi Sensei. Other important teachers who have left their mark along his journey with Aikido include Ken Cottier Sensei (7^th dan, Hong Kong), Mutsuko Minegishi Sensei (6^th dan, Saipan), the late Giorgio Veneri (6^th dan, Italy) and Daniel Kempling (5^th dan, USA Pacific Coast).

A professional conflict resolution practitioner, he constantly tries to connect our practice on the mat with our practice in our daily lives. This can be a challenge as he constantly exhorts us to “create beauty in the world”!

2007-01-29T11:11:00.000+02:00

UCT Aikido Club

The University of Cape Town Aikido Club was founded in 1977, making it one of the oldest in the country. The late Sensei Jos Niehaus (3^rd dan) taught many of the current yudansha (black belts) and today, three decades later the club is still going strong.

Located at the University of Cape Town, the club has a variety of members - from fresh, first-year university students to not-so-fresh graduate students as well as several staff and community members. Overall our dojo maintains a youthful atmosphere due to the large influx of beginning students over Orientation Week in February each year.

We practice the Aikikai style of Aikido but welcome visitors and new members from all backgrounds. If you wish to visit us (to practice or observe) please contact one of our Senseis (instructors) or Club Executives or drop in to one of our classes (check Schedule.)

Gradings held regularly for all students.

In addition to trips to local and national courses, the club organises a number of events each year at which club members and their friends and families can get together and socialise away from the rigours of training.

2007-01-27T18:35:00.000+02:00

The Aikido Federation of South Africa

The Aikido Federation of South Africa is the Aikido Authority in South Africa and was established in 1977. Today it has 17 affiliated clubs in South Africa, each consisting of one or more dojos.

The Aikido Federation of South Africa enjoys full recognition from the Aikikai Foundation in

Japan

(Aikido World Headquarters). AFSA is proud to be an affiliated member of the International Aikido Federation (IAF). It is closely associated with the Aikikai of Italy and other international bodies.

The Technical Director is Franco Martufi Sensei (5th Dan, Aikikai) from the Aikikai d'Italia.

Kenneth Cottier Sensei (7th Dan, Aikikai) from

England

and Technical Director of Hong Kong Aikikai is the Honorary President of AFSA.

Paul de Beer Sensei (4^th Dan, Aikikai) is the AFSA Jokyushidoin (Chief Instructor).

Thanks to its wide international connections AFSA stands very much in the mainstream of Aikido development, and by virtue of its close ties with the fountain-head of Aikido, the Hombu Dojo, it maintains a wholly orthodox direction in its teaching and development.

The teaching of the Founder of Aikido excludes any form of competition in Aikido and emphasises the principles of non-aggression and harmony. AFSA strongly maintains this attitude. Every effort is made to instill into our members the principle of non-violence and concern for others both on and off the tatami.

2007-01-27T17:34:00.000+02:00

The Principles of Aikido

Aikido is a unarmed system designed solely for self-defence. It is essentially non-violent and as conceived by its creator, non-competitive. Force is never opposed with force. By means of largely spherical movements an attacker’s force is diverted and turned back upon itself.

In addition to throws to bring the assailant to the ground, there are also a variety of joint locks or immobilisations for controlling an attacker. Though these can be painful and induce immediate submission, they are applied so as not to cause injury.

Aikido is perhaps the most subtle and graceful of the various Japanese martial arts. Since Aikido techniques do not demand physical strength or an aggressive spirit, it is practised by people of all ages and physical make up; by women just as well as by men.

The Benefits of Aikido Practice

Since Aikido is based on full and natural body movement, it exercises every limb and joint of the body. Flexibility, muscle tone, co-ordination, quick reactions are all developed. It does not demand unnatural body building preparation but is an absorbing way to keep fit along natural lines and within a framework of aesthetic movement.

As we get older, we lose the flexibility in our joints at an alarming rate. Aikido is an excellent way of restoring and preserving a supple healthy body. Moreover, there should be enough expenditure of energy in an Aikido practice for a good cardiovascular workout and to work up a good sweat.

Aikido is essentially a method of self-defence, so that through regular practice one will acquire a sound basis of agile movement, speed of reaction and an awareness of one’s surroundings that should prove useful if the occasion ever demanded it in real life.

In common with other oriental philosophies (and indeed with modern science) Aikido teaches that there is no real separation between that which is body and that which is mind. By subjecting our bodies to the precise discipline of Aikido we might eventually influence our minds for the good: creating an inner calm and balance that may be carried into our daily lives, helping us to become better and more effective people.

2007-01-27T10:34:00.000+02:00

What is Aikido?

Aikido is the creation of Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969), affectionately known as O-Sensei (or Great Teacher).

Master Ueshiba (pronounced 'oo-eh-she-ba') was born in 1883 in a Japan which had not fully emerged into the modern world and where many of the martial arts were still taught by masters in the old tradition. In his early manhood, he mastered several martial arts including swordsmanship and various forms of unarmed self-defence. At the same time he developed into a deeply religious person and envisioned a new system of budo (the way of the warrior) which would provide a basis for both physical and spiritual development. This he named Aikido: the way (do) of harmonising (ai) the spirit (ki).

Martial arts are studied for self-defense and self-improvement, but Aikido is different from other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to achieve self-defence without injury to the attackers. The basic movements of Aikido are circular in nature; most attacks are linear. The Aikidoist (practitioner) harmonizes with, rather than confronts, an aggressive line and converts it into a circular motion that renders attackers helpless.

Various wristlocks, immobilisations, or unbalancing throws are employed to neutralize aggressors without serious injury, and have therefore been adopted into the training regime of many police forces throughout the world.

By ki is meant the creative, life spirit of the universe; one's own life energy. "True budo is the way of great harmony and great love of all beings" wrote Ueshiba. It is clear that he meant Aikido to be more than a method of self-defence when he says,

"I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind".