Saturday 23 February 2013

Put in motion your breathing…


Kokyu-ho (breathing excercice) and kokyu-nage (breath while throwing) have in common to be techniques focused on breathing (a beautiful essence of Aikido philosophy or any kind of martial arts). The act of breathing combines with the notion of timing while moving is particularly interesting to develop in your pratice. For example, at the end of Kokyu-nage, the act of throwing by Tori and the one being throwed as Uke , need to exhale calmly and always in motion….
I particularly favorite the kokyu-ho in suwari-waza, the connection between Tori and Uke requires good awareness to build good relationship…




Principle of explosive power...
From a very interesting blog: http://www.aikidosangenkai.org/blog/archive/2012-12-30/yukiyoshi-sagawa-on-bujutsu-and-ki-ryoku


"In order to generate Kokyu you must stand as if you are making your big toe sink into the surface of the ground".  -Gozo Shioda

Saturday 16 February 2013

Spiral stairs...Ushiro ryote dori ikkyo

Ushiro ryote dori (grabs both wrists from behind Tori) ikkyo: Tori steps to the side and Uke grabs both wrists from Tori's back. A very important step, a step to the side first for Tori while bringing Uke's arm and spins under Uke (this is very difficult to put words on this part, watching videos give you better idea...). To apply ikkyo (^^), Tori turns and brings uke's arm vertically (I often have the tendancy to bring down the arm but if you lower Uke's arm, Uke goes directly up...)
Then... nikkyo, sankyo... follow!
This technique (ura or omote) required dynamic steps and it is really nice to do in order to relax arms!

Thursday 7 February 2013

Let yourself FALL!...(ukemi)





Ukemi (falling) , in the variety of all Aikido techniques, ukemi always remains my favourite part...Sounds strange, but just love falling, again and again!!!
Instead of making me tired, this is where and when I get ALL my energy! Let yourself go and breathe deeply... Letting yourself fall without any fear, you will feel very free!


Love this drawing! http://godofwar.deviantart.com/art/Gyaku-Kote-Gaeshi-139965213



Friday 1 February 2013

Unforgettable memories....

While browsing my folder, I found some old pictures of my trip to Japan (2009, long time ago;)). Initially, I was not supposed to visit Osaka but somehow, I took a spontaneous decision on my way, stopped in Osaka and knocked at the door of the Shosenji Dojo (I was really intimidated!) where Shimamato Shihan and his family live. Well, I practised for one week and the last day...Doshu gave a seminar in Osaka and I got the chance to attend it. I felt a very lucky girl that day ;)), it was a very impressive seminar, almost 500 people gathered together....Unforgettable memories! Now...guess where I am?

13 Jo kata

Les op dinsdag 29 Januari 2013

Ikkyo/nikkyo/sankyo/yonkyo/gokyo


“A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind” (Morihei Ueshiba)

Katate ryote dori (=Ai hamni katate dori)

Les op zondag 26 Januari 2013

Kosa dori


Lessen op dinsdag 15- zondag 20- dinsdag 22 Januari 2013

Goldfish memory (~why create a blog?)

Dear lovely Aikidoka friends!
The aim of this blog is not to give exhaustive lists and names of Aikido techniques, I believe that there are excellent websites on the web. It also has no aim to interpret Baruto’s nice lessons!
What I would like, it is simply to give a glimpse of what I am learning and discovering everytime I got the chance to pratice with all of you!  Each of you have an infinite variety of body posture, reaction, learning process and a story to tell...all of that is making Aikido an endless experience!
Of course, I will be happy to hear from you whenever you feel like sharing something! (It is highly possible that some mistakes had slipped in the blog, apologies in advance!).
Thanks you for reading me!
Much love, Juliette
(Sorry for not making this blog in Dutch, I hope slowly it will have a dutch touch!)