Today's Schedule:

5:15-6:15pm Aikido Fundamentals

6:30-7:30pm Aikiken Sword Class

Yonemochi Shihan: 10 Basic Techniques:

Katame-waza (Joint Techniques): Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo, Gokyo

Nage-waza (Throwing Techniques): Shiho-nage, Kotegaeshi, Irimi-nage, Tenchi-nage, Kaiten-nage.

Irimi (Omote): Entering

Tenken (Ura): Turning

Kokyu-dosa

According to Yonemochi Sensei, these techniques must be studied daily with emphasis on Irimi, Tenkan, & Irimi-nage, Shiho-nage, and Kote-gaeshi.

Kokyu-ryoku must be developed through daily training of Kokyu-dosa.

The Test of Learning:

Tests and finals - I took so many in school and hated them so much. As much as I hated them, I tried to do my best and somehow managed to do very well.

We are always worried about our scores and whether we pass or fail. Of course, in this social world, to pass means acceptance, success and approval. To fail means loss, failure and criticism.

In our daily training, to do the techniques correctly and follow the order of practice, is the standard. To fail, however, is the starting point of further study.

During our recent seminar, throughout its preparation and during the Seminar itself, I was constantly studying what we are doing correctly and where we need to improve. Mistakes must be correctly quickly, Points of correctness must be noted so we can move on. In all training, we follow the rule: "you are only as strong as your weakest link." All weak links must be rooted out and corrected.

It is always "reckless" to relax the rules of practice during regular practice because when we have important events, people cannot change gear to "be aware and on the alert."

For the civilian, it is always, "Ok, I had fun, what's next?" For the warrior, it is always a fact that the final outcome of the battle can be lost I the very last second or two. As samurai used to say, "After the victory, tighten the cords of your helmet."

During this Seminar, reflect and study your misses and correct them. Make your weakest link into your strongest. Keep the cords of your helmet tight and always be ready to the very last second. . . . .

I would also like to add as I have often said before - "There is no end nor beginning to practice." meaning that practice continues to every moment of the day. A miss means that we are not aware, not in the moment, and that we have departed from our "practice mode" - this is the test of learning.