Griffith Shukan News

Thursday, 16^th April 2009

CONTENTS:

1. Anzac Day Classes

2. Club Phone Backup - Volunteer Needed

3. Hashimoto Sensei Seminar - Expressions of Interest Needed

4. Michael Williams Sensei Seminar Summary

1. Anzac Day Classes

Hi everyone

I have had a couple of people ask about Anzac Day classes, as it falls on a Saturday this year. With it being 11 years since Anzac day fell on a Saturday, nobody can remember back that far, so I have checked with the RSL and the appropriate government department as to whether we should be holding classes on Anzac Day or not.

I am advised that it is entirely appropriate for the club to hold classes on Anzac Day, as long as we are not doing so 'for sporting entertainment in a place of public amusement', so the club will conduct classes as normal on the 25th

Steve Mitchell

2. Club Phone Backup - Volunteer Needed

Hi everyone

The club has a club phone so that members of the public (usually those wanting to join) can ring to find out more information about us, e.g. where we train, what times we train, etc. The club also has a backup so that when people can't get through to the club phone, for whatever reason, they can still ring someone else and get a hold of someone to talk to straight away. Danny Sensei has always been the backup, but is now finding it more difficult to field calls at work. Is there a club member who would be happy to act as the backup? If you can help with this role, please email me at steve@....

Steve Mitchell

3. Hashimoto Sensei Seminar - Expressions of Interest Needed

Hi everyone

To help the executive plan the Hashimoto Sensei seminar in August and also confirm if it is to go ahead, we need club members to provide expressions of interest in the seminar. That is, if you intend to go, please let us know now.

Current details are:

1^st - 2^nd August - Hashimoto Sensei (Griffith Aikido dojo, Griffith University, Nathan)

Program: Sat 1^st Aug Aikikids 9.30-10.30am, Aikido 10.30am – 12.00pm, 12.30 – 2.00pm, 2.15pm – 4.00pm

Sun 2^nd Aikido 9.00 – 10.30 am, 11.00am – 12.30pm Weapons 1.00 – 2.30pm, Black belt only 2.45 – 4.30pm

Cost: Griffith Aikido members $50 (all grades welcome); Non-members $75

So please, if you're definitely going, or think you'll be going, it doesn't matter, please let me know ASAP via steve@....

Thanks

Steve Mitchell

4. Michael Williams Sensei Seminar Summary

Two weekends ago, Michael Williams Sensei conducted a seminar offering a break down of Aikido to its simplest elements. To do this he used the attack Yokomenuchi as the common example around which these elements could be explained.

The following is a short expansion of the white board Sensei used during the seminar and which I used during class the following Tuesday. It is more my notes from the seminar than a detailed explanation of Sensei’s teaching.

A break down of Aikido:

First step: Blend with attack

Second step: Intercept the attack

Third step: Pin or project

First Step

The two main blending movements are: Irimi and Tenkan

Irimi is entering

Tenkan is turning

At a high level, these become one and the same.

When we enter or turn we usually find ourselves in one of two places: Omote or Ura

Omote is the open side

Ura is the hidden side

Second and Third Step

The movements of interception and pinning/projecting, we call techniques.

O’Sensei is quoted as saying there is only 1 technique in Aikido: Irimi nage. Other teachers break up the movements to 3 techniques, others up to 7. Of each of the 1 to 7 techniques, there are innumerable variations depending on the attack (yokomen/shomen/katatedori etc), the entry (irimi/tenkan), the position they are performed from (ura/omote) and other variables. But essentially, all techniques can be said to be one of the following:

1. Irimi nage (includes kokyu nage)

2. Shihonage (includes kotegeshi)

3.  Ikkyo (includes nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, gokyo)

4.  Zenpo

5.  Kirikeshi

6.  Kaiten

7.  Tenchi

Although we often do one particular technique from a set attack (eg, shihonage from yokomenuchi) it is important to realise that any technique can be performed from any attack.

To illustrate this point I would recommend watching the syllabus DVD to see how different blending movements and throws/pins are incorporated into each technique. Instead of seeing the great variety of techniques demonstrated, look for the familiar patterns that emerge throughout the taninzugake.

Paul Sensei

Shirin Mohebbi

Griffith Aikido Newsletter Editor

Email: shirin(AT)internode.on.net