TAI SABAKI - Aikido World Alliance

22 Pages·2011·2.66 MB·English

TA I S A B A K I

Spring 2011 Newsletter
If your opponent strikes with
fire, counter with water, be-
coming completely fluid and
free-flowing. Water, by its
nature, never collides with
or breaks against anything.
On the contrary, it swallows
up any attack harmlessly.
-O’Sensei
Dear Friends,
Spring is almost here. It is the season of awakening and inspira- regular contribution, “On the Road.” Also in this edition, we
tion. We rejoice in the warming and lengthening of the days have published the first in a series of articles about teaching
and give thanks to all that gave us the fortitude to pass through aikido to children by Josh Paul of Jikishinkan. Josh has spent the
the dark and cold of winter. In some ways, spring is the true last few years working with children of various ages in a number
beginning of the year. It is the time of clean and fresh starts. A of schools in New York City. As many dojo cho will agree, a
time when we shake off the dust, stretch our muscles, and begin strong children’s program is often a most important element of a
to plant the seeds for a new season of growth. successful dojo. His articles will provide anyone involved with
teaching children a valuable resource to develop their youth
Since it is appropriate to consider beginnings in the spring, programs further.
the theme for this edition of your AWA newsletter is tai sabaki.
For most of us, tai sabaki is understood as initial movement… I also visited with Derek Nakagawa Sensei, Dojo Cho of Aikido
the beginning of technique or waza. Tai sabaki is particularly of Rossmoor in Irvine, California. We discussed his history in
important to the AWA. As one of the fundamental teachings of aikido, his teaching philosophy, his practice of Brazilian jiu-jitsu,
Toyoda Sensei, the primary shihan of our aikido lineage, Tai and his roll as a member of the AWA Technical and Instructor
sabaki provides the simple framework with which we begin our Committee. Nakagawa Sensei also contributed an article de-
study of aikido. Sato Sensei, AWA’s Chief Instructor, continues scribing his understanding of tai sabaki.
to develop the use of tai sabaki in his teaching methodology
as he develops the unique practice that we appreciate in the Please enjoy this latest edition of the AWA Newsletter, and may
AWA. In this edition, we have included articles from a variety of your continued practice of aikido bring you new inspiration this
different perspectives on tai sabaki, from many different levels spring!
of experience. We hope that these various insights help AWA
members deepen their understanding of this integral part of our
practice. Yours in Aiki,
Along with these articles on tai sabaki, we have included the John Hannon Sensei, Nidan, Dojo Cho
usual AWA seminar reviews, dan essays, and DeGraff Sensei’s Shugyo Center, Sebastopol, CA
NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
Table of Contents: Announcements:
A Letter from the Chief Instructor by Sato Sensei..................3 Welcome our newest dojo to the AWA!
Mid South Aikido, Memphis, TN
Tai Sabaki: Knocking on the Door of Opportunity
by James Landry Sensei................4
Tim Ferguson and Pam Richardson of
Kiku Matsu, Chicago, IL got married! Congratulations!
Tai Sabaki, What Is It? by Tricia Crowe..............................4
Benjamin Rooney of Jikishinkan, Brooklyn, NY and wife Claire
Trials and Errors in Teaching Aikido to Children by Josh Paul..5
Laporte had a baby girl, Louise! Congratulations!
On the Road by DeGraff Sensei........................................7
Tai Sabaki: Overcoming Inertia by John Hannon Sensei........8 Dan Promotions:
Puerto Rico Aikido Seminar Review 2010 by Yadira Santana..9 SANDAN:
Fred Mautz, Aikido Dojo Del Este, Humacao, PR
The First Year in AWA by Tomasz Tyszka Sensei................10
Simone Maranto, Kyushinkan Dojo, Roswell, GA
Tai Sabaki by Nakagawa Sensei....................................12 Chrissa Pedersen, Banshinkan Dojo, Broomall, PA
Joseph Vaughn, Aikido of Moscow, Moscow, ID
In Conversation with Nakagawa Sensei
by John Hannon Sensei...............12
NIDAN:
Shodan Essay: What Is Aikido? What Is Shugyo?
Oscar Canals Maldonado, Bayamon Aikikai, Bayamon, PR
by John Kevin Ryan....................15
Greg Cutlip, Aikido of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV
John Lothes, UNCW Aikido, Wilmington, NC
Sandan Essay: The Alchemy of Aikido by Isaias Tirado-Flores..15
Joshua Murphy, Kyushinkan Dojo, Roswell, GA
Yondan Essay: The Application of Aikido in Daily Life
Gifford Pace, Mid South Aikido, Memphis, TN
by Vic Robinson Sensei..............18
Nestor Rodriguez, Mableton Aikikai, Mabletown, GA
Charles Watkins, Aikido of Northern New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
Ai-Ki-D’oh! Comic Strip by Jonathan Knipping Sensei........19
Mario Alegre, Aikido of Rossmoor, Irvine, CA
Photo Pages by Greg Null Sensei...................................19
Mike Namovice, Purdue Aikikai, Hammond, IN
Michael Campbell, Bushinkan Dojo, Royersford, PA
Seminar Calendar........................................................21
SHODAN:
Newsletter Production Team:
Mark Favaloro, Aikido of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV
Alison Lincoln, Jikishinkan Dojo, Brooklyn, NY
John Hannon Sensei, Editor, Shugyo Center, Sebastapol, CA
Frank Peng, Aikido of Rossmoor, Irvine, CA
[email protected] to make submissions for consideration.
John Kevin Ryan, Aikido of Rossmoor, Irvine, CA
Alison Lincoln, Design Director, Jikishinkan, Brooklyn, NY
[email protected] to make submissions for consideration. Susanne Serwotka, Kyushinkan Dojo, Roswell, GA
Kristin Sumner, Editor, Kiku Matsu, Chicago, IL Sebastian Ruocco, Wadokan Dojo, Spring, TX
Greg Null Sensei, Photographer, River Valley Aikikai, Van Buren, AR
Charles Bienvenu IV, Wadokan Dojo, Spring, TX

Jefferson Perez-Maldonado, Eishinkan Dojo, Bayamon, PR
Christian Reyes Montalvo, Eishinkan Dojo, Bayamon, PR
The Universal Ki says RECYCLE
All contents within: © 2011 Aikido World Alliance Yadira Santana, Aikido Dojo Del Este, Humacao, PR
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NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
A Letter from the Chief Instructor
Andrew Sato Sensei, Rokudan, Chief Instructor ~ AWA
Kiku Matsu Dojo, Chicago, IL
Belated New Year greetings!
Time always moves forward for better or worse, wanted or not.
Similarly, the time and space we occupy in our life is constantly
changing, again for better or worse, wanted or not.
How we manage within the time and space of life can make
all the difference in each moment and experience we have.
Meeting and moving in both defense and offense help make
up the essence of tai sabaki. The ability to gracefully manage
the body as we move through the myriad of life’s experiences is
where our training of tai sabaki can be of great help.
As a beginning student The ability to gracefully manage
of aikido, all we are con-
the body as we move through
cerned with is not getting
hit and being able to exe-
the myriad of life’s experi-
cute the technique that our
sensei showed us. Inside ences is where our training of
this beginning process,
being graceful does not tai sabaki can be of great help.
even compute. Ichi kami:
one hair-width of space is what sensei admonishes us to move
during tai sabaki for any waza. With time, the rough edges
of our movement become less discernable as our specific tech- into the fray. Our day-to-day training should begin to change
niques flow more smoothly. Finally, at some point, we feel and how our mind works moment to moment. The saying, “where
look like we know what we are doing on the mat. does the mind leave off and the body begin?” should ring true
when viewing the concept of tai sabaki. As our life moves for-
Flash forward, and after years of training one should start to ward, our mind should flow evenly, calmly, and without attach-
see and understand that tai sabaki goes way beyond the actual ment, so it can be both offensive and defensive at the same time
physical movement of getting off the line of attack or entering as life dictates us forward. In aikido, we use irimi or tenkan or
both to fit the occasion of attack. In life, we must do the same;
moment by moment; anywhere, anytime. One should gracefully
accept defeat when losing the perfect parking spot to another
driver; happily go on vacation with loved ones; let go of our
grief after loosing a dear friend, lover, or relative.
Time will not stand still for any of us, so we must move within its
constraints. Rather than stumble with uncertainty, learning and
using our tai sabaki will enable us to meet the challenges’ life
brings with grace, Ichi go, Ichi ei: one chance, one life, will be-
come even more clear from our training of tai sabaki, I am sure.
Enjoy the New Year and all the joy of life it brings. See you all
on the mats soon.
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NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
Tai Sabaki ... Knocking on the Door of Opportunity as this space is safe and inviting.
James Landry Sensei, Sandan, Dojo Cho Sometimes uke requires a clearing of the
Roshinkan Dojo, Spokane, WA mind (atemi). Nage may refocus uke’s
thoughts to help them blend with nage’s of the greeting. Now
nage can lead the exchange into technique.
Nage must have a very clear intent, fluid movement, and con-
fident posture so as to give clear guidance to uke and to ex-
tend an invitation that will be received with supple compliance.
Nage must connect with, and lead uke, towards a new found
opportunity. No one likes being pushed around, but uke will
be led and will follow if one is being led with clear, confident
direction. When our initial greeting is warm, open, and inviting,
a world of possibilities is open to us. The richness of our spirit
is allowed to grow, surrounding our partner and spreading into
the world around us. Opportunity is abundant if we are open,
stable, and balanced, able to move in any direction when the
time is right.
Practice your tai sabaki as a greeting, with the stable posture of
a mountain, the lightness of the fresh breeze that rustles through
the mountain’s trees, and flow like the river winding its way from
the mountain top and through the valleys on its way to join the
Welcome! Come on in! Right this way...follow me I will lead ocean’s great flow. Do this and the doors of opportunity and
you to a safe place where we can talk...let’s get to know each technique will open for you.
other.
The beginning of any relationship is the greeting. I extend my
hand in welcome. I lead this new person gently to a place
where they will feel comfortable and safe. Here we begin to
explore the opportunity of our new relationship.
We do this in such a way as to only expose a small amount
of ourselves at the beginning. It is an exchange. You tell me a
little something...I tell you a little something. You tell me a little
more...I tell you a little more. This exchange of energy empow-
ers us with knowledge. It provides the opportunity for business,
friendship, debate, and safe resolution. During this exchange,
I invite you into my sphere where my posture exhibits strength
and stability. As the energy of our relationship reveals itself, I am
free to direct the conversation as necessary, but I always give
you the freedom to leave and seek conversation elsewhere or to
further engage with me. Tai Sabaki, What Is It?
Tricia Crowe, 4th Kyu
This is tai sabaki. The initial movement that leads uke’s attack Kyushinkan Dojo, Atlanta, GA
into an exchange of energy that results in technique. As uke
attacks, nage moves to extend uke’s energy past their point of Tai sabaki, what is it? When someone asks me this question,
balance. This can be a surprise to uke. Uke is strangely willing I immediately give the “definition” of movement, blending, or
to fill the space that nage opens for them. Uke will enter as long repositioning your body to avoid an attack. (continued)
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NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
(continuation) Occasionally, it’s an offensive move on a pending
attack. Simply put, tai sabaki is the foundation for our aikido
techniques. When I was approached to write an article about
what tai sabaki is to me, my view shifted and questions rapidly
began to accumulate in my mind. How does it go beyond my
training as a martial artist and reflect in my everyday life? What
really is tai sabaki? I am not often at a loss for words, however
in those first few moments my mind went blank. This lead to the
beginning of my exploration into what tai sabaki truly is to me.
My quest for further insight required that I expand my outlook
beyond my initial definition. To me, tai sabaki was an exercise
we did in preparation for a particular technique. I began to hear
the voices of my instructors telling me to move off line or ten-
kan! Why fight the attack, just blend! Or in some instances don’t
move out of the way of the attack but towards the attack, like the
saying goes “the best defense is a strong offense.” I understood
what they were saying, that the simple motion of harmonizing
with the attack enables us to avoid the attack or put us in a posi-
tion of greater control, but did I fully grasp the concept? Trials and Errors in Teaching Aikido to Children
Josh Paul, Sandan
After I started analyzing my own aikido, I came to realize how Jikishinkan Dojo, Brooklyn, NY
much I use the essence of tai sabaki in my life outside of mar-
ital arts. No, I don’t mean I literally walk around the office, I began teaching youth classes at Jikishinkan Dojo sometime
moving off the line of an incoming coworker (although aikido shortly after earning 4th kyu. I was given the job based on a
has helped increase my awareness), and yes sometimes I have single and very fundamental criterion: I was willing to do it. I
wanted to use an irimi on someone in a retail store. However, started teaching immediately and underwent two distinct phases
what I discovered is how in some way almost every day I am of instructor development: trial by fire and trial and error.
blending or harmonizing with others. In order to maintain a con-
tinuous flow, I keep repositioning myself in an attempt to achieve The goals of the trial by fire phase were demanding but simple:
my desired result. Though my exploration continues, what I have maintain order, avoid injury, and keep students dressed and in
learned thus far is that tai sabaki is not only a basis or founda- the dojo. The second phase, learning to teach by trial and error,
tion for technique in the dojo, but that it can also help us resolve is an ongoing process. The goals are less tangible and deter-
the adversities each of us face in our lives. mining the success of a trial ambiguous. However, the process
has led me to some strategies that worked more than once.
These strategies have helped build Jikishinkan’s youth program
and enabled me to teach elementary and high school students,
students with autism and other disabilities, and at-risk teenagers
in New York City public schools.
This article is the first in a series on teaching aikido to children.
In this installment, I’ll focus on some of those initial trials and er-
rors, and the strategies that emerged from them.
Trial & Error #1: Children are not miniature adults. This seems
obvious, right? However, my first inclination, considering that
aikido is the same for all ages, was to force youth classes to
have the tone and focus of an adult class. It didn’t really work so
well—children cannot be taught like miniature adults. (continued)
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NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
(continuation)
Children bring extraordinary energy into a dojo, as well as the The goal of stan-
baggage of school, homework, sports, piano lessons, dance dardization was not
classes, lost cell phones, skateboard accidents, etc. Attempting to introduce rigid,
to suppress and control this energy is possible, but doing so kata-like practice, or
is frustrating for everybody, rarely completely successful, and deprive instructors
decidedly not aiki-like. Instead, I eventually realized I needed the opportunity to ex-
to channel, blend, and flow with their energy. I abandoned my press their interpreta-
elaborate lesson plans and expectations and went aiki. tions of techniques.
The goal was to de-
But what does that actually mean? What did I change? Basi- velop a baseline—
cally, I started allowing the children to behave like children and a standard point of
allowed myself to follow their lead. When lesson plans weren’t reference—for the
working, I changed them on the fly. When students arrived chat- basic repertoire that
ty and wild, so, too, was the training. When energy was low, could be successively
we had contemplative ki development classes. I stopped trying expanded upon over
to make the children conform to my expectations and, instead, time. The vocabulary I chose is largely based on the movements
used their energy to guide my teaching style on a particular day. of the ki exercises and, with small variations, I can explain the
gross movements of almost any technique using a combination
Classes now are mostly boisterous affairs with “random informa- of a ki exercise and the words step, slide, tenkan, and pivot.
tion time,” trash talk, teasing, and games. The culture is permis-
sive, and the etiquette decidedly informal. Well, at least on Leading students to a rapid and reproducible understanding of
the surface. At Jikishinkan, the students and I have an explicit gross motions enables them to move, interact, and practice with
agreement that our etiquette will be informal and class boister- other students sooner than do detailed instructions, although
ous only if the students can switch to formality and self-control nuances are admittedly bypassed. Nevertheless, in my
on command. It takes time to get children to this point, and experience, this is a more gratifying and rewarding training ex-
requires imposing discipline in the beginning, and teaching perience, especially for beginners, and one that leaves students
and practicing formality. The eventual benefit and result, I think, receptive to later analysis, correction, and refinement.
is a more mature student with a long-lasting understanding of
self-discipline, which makes deep, long-term training possible. I Trial & Error #3: Social promotions are not sometimes accept-
think this is the type of self-discipline that’s meant when people able. Determining a youth student’s eligibility for a promotion in
send their children to the dojo to learn about discipline in the rank is always tricky. On the one hand, technical ability is large-
first place. (Note: This approach is more aspirational than prac- ly age-dependent, and a six-year-old cannot physically perform
tical, because it does not work in all environments and with all a technique as as well as a twelve-year-old. On the other hand,
students. Some students require constant disciplining and never children need to be rewarded for effort, persistence, self-disci-
quite grasp personal responsibility.) pline—all of the non-technique-specific challenges provided by
the art. And so, for a time, I awarded lower kyu ranks (e.g.,
Trial & Error #2: Aikido’s endless variety is lost on eight-year- 8, 7.5, 7 kyu) to students, especially younger students, in the
olds. Aikido is celebrated for its endless variations. There are absence of technical ability.
thousands of techniques and variations and approaches to
teaching them. When teaching adults, changing explanations Social promotions may have kept students and parents happy, but
and instructions is often beneficial, because they may provide in- over time social promotions introduced a serious problem in the
sights that were missed in previous explanations. However, too quality of aikido. Students testing for more advanced kyu ranks
much variation and detail mostly produces confusion and frustra- could not demonstrate techniques from their previous examina-
tion in children. When I finally recognized this, I began making tions, and at some point had to be denied promotion. As students
deliberate efforts to standardized visual and verbal instructions. (and their parents) had grown accustomed to regular promotions
I particularly focused on standardizing my vocabulary and the at three-month intervals, the decision not to promote became con-
vocabulary of the other instructors. tentious. (continued)
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NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
(continuation)
Taking a cue from other dojos, the first solution was to introduce something embarrassing or silly happens
more kyu ranks. At Jikishinkan, we now have three ranks prior to to me, or I again dream that I forgot how to tie
the AWA’s 8th kyu examination. With this system, students train my hakama, I’m excited to have something to contribute to
for six months or more before taking an AWA examination, but random information time. Revealing and sharing small parts of
still receive recognition for their effort. With the extra training your life with students encourages the same in response, which
time, students of all ages are capable of demonstrating the 8th forges meaningful connections, and meaningful connections
kyu requirements, which are the foundation for all subsequent are at the core of aikido.
learning. Over time, we also increased the minimum duration
of time between examinations. From blue belt and upwards,
students test, at minimum, every six months. On The Road
DeGraff Sensei, Yondan,
A Summary of Errors Technical and Instructor
It was difficult to decide which of my trials and errors to write Committee Member
about—there were many more—but this article quite rapidly Kiku Matsu Dojo,
became 1000 words longer than the article requested. So, in Chicago, IL
summary, here are three lessons:
Happy New Year, AWA
Let children behave like children. members! I hope you
Don’t overload children with too many details or variations. all enjoyed a peaceful
Devise systems for rewarding effort and achievement outside of holiday season and had
the kyu ranks. time to reflect and pre-
pare for the coming year.
These are mostly strategies for teaching and communicating I always love the seminar
technical information. Ultimately though, teaching children is not circuit during the holiday
a technical process—it is personal. Children don’t care or don’t months. I always end my
understand that your irimi nage is potentially decapitating. Chil- year in sunny Puerto Rico
dren respond to you and your passion, excitement, and love for and start it off with a trip
the art. Showing up day after day doesn’t impress—they expect to Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
you to be there. What impresses, and what children need to It’s a wonderful tradition
see, hear, and, above all else, feel, is your excitement. I recog- to establish. Puerto Rico
nize that the following may sound esoteric, but I have no other is always lovely to visit,
words: children primarily respond to the teacher’s ki. and this year was no ex-
ception. We had the best weather that we’ve had in all the
Demonstrating and correcting technique can foster meaningful years that we’ve been going. Amazingly, there was no rain!
experiences, but creating life-changing and life-affirming experi- That’s a rarity for Puerto Rico in December.
ences means revealing, showing, and sharing your own pas-
sion for aikido and a little of your inner life. It means rolling on We had one couple from Kiku Matsu Dojo joining us for the
the floor, making faces, engaging in nonsensical conversations, seminar. I’m sure many of you know Will and Kris Sumner. They
eating candy on Saturday mornings, knowing how to take off were married in Kiku Matsu, and on their trip to Atlanta in Oc-
earrings, tie back hair, wipe away tears, bandage cuts and tober they met and connected with Yadira Santana. Yadira is
bruises, and allowing the students to be part of your life as you married to Fred Mautz—a former Chicago Aikido practitioner.
are necessarily a part of theirs. When you stand in front of a Fred and Yadira live in Puerto Rico and generously opened up
group children, you unwittingly become a role model, and, for their house for Will and Kris. These are the kinds of things that
better or worse, one with the potential to permanently imprint make me smile. The connections that we make with each other
on a student. through our training extend so much farther than the door of the
dojo. We connect, we take care of, we become friends… Oh,
A parent recently told me it is difficult to tell the difference be- and then we beat the crap out of each other for fun!
tween the children and me when I’m teaching. And whenever (continued)
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NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
(continuation) Every seminar I attend I see people forging new Every seminar I attend gives me an
friendships and re-establishing connections. I see the genuine opportunity to reassess, re-evaluate, reflect,
joy that people feel when they see their long-lost training part- refine, and rediscover my passion for aikido. I encourage all of
ners. I see the care that we all take of each other, and I see the you to experience the seminar circuit. And I hope to see you
delight that we all experience when we train together. “on the road” in 2011.
The Fort Smith seminar in January is always a special event. It’s
the first seminar of the year. This year it was hosted by Greg
Null Sensei, dojo cho of River Valley Aikikai. As always, it was
a terrific event. Everyone that shows up is ready to start the
year off with a bang (or perhaps a bruise!). This year the semi-
nar was a week early and took place on the traditional day of
training for Kagami Biraki. Sato Sensei provided the kagami
mochi for the shomen and spoke a bit about the meaning of
Kagami Biraki. It was an opportunity to recommit to our training
and to our organization and each other. What a great time!
And again, as in Puerto Rico, people opened up their homes
and their hearts to visiting aikidoka.
We must continually strive to be open
In Fort Smith, Sensei
spoke a bit more than to people and situations and be will-
what he normally
ing to enter and commit fully to what-
does at seminars,
and I was struck by ever may happen and respond to Tai Sabaki: Overcoming Inertia
a couple of the com- John Hannon Sensei, Nidan, Dojo Cho
everything by either moving directly
ments that he made. Shugyo Center, Sebastopol, CA
Sensei always stress-
into it or turning and letting it pass.
es tai sabaki and the Some say that freedom of movement begins with freedom of
importance of the initial movement in aikido—irimi and tenkan, mind. Humans have a mental attachment to space and often
it all comes down to irimi and tenkan. Sensei talked specifically reflexively fight for the space that they occupy. The illusion that
about how irimi and tenkan are the essential movements for we somehow possess the space that we occupy or that we must
aikido—entering and turning. Sensei also described his per- always fight to control it has the potential to trap us in needless
ception of irimi. Irimi should not simply be “entering,” it should struggle. In the context of combat, this illusion can hold us in a
also suggest the idea of being open and accepting and being place of disadvantage by blinding us to the advantage of yield-
willing to enter fully into a situation. ing. Detaching ourselves from the space we occupy is good
exercise for a martial artist. With such a shift of perspective,
That concept of irimi really resonates with me. I think sometimes we can detach ourselves from being the target and so calm our
we get bogged down in the notion that irimi means we go in fear and the reflexive fight-or-flight response. It is a step towards
and slam the other guy. If we look at it from the perspective of making a less vengeful reaction in the face of attack. However,
being open to whatever is coming at us it seems to me to have while this mental detachment may provide us with a sense of
a much better feeling. calm, or create zen-like state of mind in the midst of attack…
we still have to physically move out of the way. Tai sabaki is
Just as on the mat, so in life. Day to day, I try to apply the les- the yielding of a position in space that an attacker has targeted
sons that I have learned. Irimi and tenkan in life, just as on the for a new position in space that is safer or more advantageous.
mat, are the essential building blocks for human connection and
relationships. We must continually strive to be open to people So whether we are tranced out in a pseudo-zen state or trapped
and situations and be willing to enter and commit fully to what- in the face of attack like a deer in the headlights, we still need
ever may happen and respond to everything by either moving to train ourselves to move. We need to transition from a state of
directly into it or turning and letting it pass. rest to a state of motion. Newtonian physics states (continued)
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NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
(continuation) that objects at rest stay at rest, objects in motion as well as Will and
stay in motion. This is the concept of inertia. Tai sabaki is often Kris Sumner of Kiku
defined as initial movement—so one perspective we may con- Matsu Dojo in Chi-
sider is that tai sabaki is the act of overcoming inertia. cago. Everyone was
a little hungry after
Once we have detached ourselves from the illusion that we are the long flight, so we
being attacked, and consider the possibility that we are merely decided to eat at Ra-
in the wrong place at the wrong time, we are faced with nearly ices in Old San Juan.
infinite possibilities for where we can move to. In a way, we are Raices serves tradi-
faced with too many choices and, like a deer in the headlights, tional Puerto Rican
we find ourselves frozen in the one place where we should not food-—fish, pork, rice
be—in the place where we will receive the full power of uke’s at- and beans, stuffed
tack. One beauty of the simple tai sabaki drills that we practice in mofongo, and much
the AWA is that they limit our choices down to several of the most more. I recommended
advantageous positions to move to for any given attack. During the Chuleta Kan Kan
the drills, we learn through repetition to overcome our inertia by (a pork chop the size
moving to predetermined safe zones. When the movement into of your head).
these safe zones is learned, certain waza are then associated
with certain tai sabaki and our repertoire begins to build. The next day we all went to breakfast. The seminar didn’t start
until 6:00 pm, so I took everyone to a very well-known bak-
Managing inertia is a major part of aikido training. If we only ery in Old San Juan named “La Bonbonera.” We decided to
consider tai sabaki as step one in the sequence of any waza, have a mallorca sandwich with Puerto Rican coffee and fresh
then we will most likely pause at the next moment, becoming squeezed orange juice. Mallorca is a sweet bread with pow-
inert, before we move on to step two. So, the process of manag- dered sugar on top. You can have the bread by itself or as a
ing inertia can also be witnessed during the process of smooth- sandwich with Swiss cheese, bacon, ham, fried egg, anything
ing the techniques that we learn from a sequence of steps into a you like.
single fluid movement.
Friday night was very cool with a slight breeze. The sound of
What makes this management of inertia even more challenging Coquíes (a small frog native to Puerto Rico) echoed all around
is that there is a relationship involved. In aikido, we also take us. It was good to see old friends and meet people new to ai-
on the responsibility of our uke’s inertia. Fortunately, our practice kido. There was a lot of energy on the mat. Many people were
of tai sabaki is also an opportunity to begin our study of this taking breakfalls. Sato Sensei demonstrated a variety of basic
relationship, as well as an opportunity to learn how to effectively empty-hand techniques. At the end of the night there were two
accept that responsibility. dan tests.
Saturday was a little warmer, and I could see that some attend-
Puerto Rico Aikido Seminar Review 2010 ees had already lowered their intensity. Sato Sensei focused
Yadira Santana, Shodan mostly on weapons. There were three dan tests throughout the
Aikido Dojo Del Este, Humacao, Puerto Rico day. After a day of aikido, about twenty people went to the
group dinner.
Imagine it’s December; it’s 78 degrees, blue, sunny skies with
a cool breeze. You look around and see colorful buildings, tall Friday and Saturday, the seminar was held in the Caguas Sport
palm trees, and the turquoise blue waters of the ocean. Wel- Complex. On Sunday, the seminar was at the University Saga-
come to Puerto Rico. rado Corazon in Santurce. Usually by the third day I am very
tired, but to my surprise I had a lot of energy. I didn’t want the
The AWA holds an annual three-day seminar in Puerto Rico ev- seminar to end.
ery December. A perfect time of the year here, when the weath-
er is cooler and the humidity is low. This year, I had the honor Throughout the three days of the seminar, students from other
of picking up Sato Sensei and DeGraff Sensei from the airport, aikido organizations joined us on the mat. (continued)
9
NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
(continuation) It is good to see this kind of unity among fellow
aikidoka in Puerto Rico. This seminar was very special to me.
The last time I tested was in Chicago under Fumio Toyoda Sen-
sei for 1st kyu. After thirteen years I was finally able to take my
shodan test. I am truly grateful for Sato Sensei and DeGraff
Sensei. Their friendship and guidance throughout the years has
been very special to me. I want to thank Will and Kris Sumner;
it was a pleasure to share time with you. I also want to thank
everyone who attended the seminar. Train hard and have fun.
The First Year in AWA
Tomasz Tyszka, Dojo Cho, Sandan
Aikido Wadokan, Gdynia, Poland
with all the news concerning Aikido World Alliance new struc-
The main stimulus to establish my own dojo was a seminar with tures. Also DVDs from aikido seminars, which he sent me from Chi-
Fumio Toyoda Shihan, President of Aikido Association Interna- cago, were invaluable. Our friendship survived, against all odds.
tional, which took place in Olsztyn in April 1997. His technique
impressed me a lot. That was when I knew that I would like to In August 2009, I made the decision to leave the AAI because
follow in this direction. Six months later, I organized the first of- of personal reasons. But our dojo was in limbo (in suspension?
ficial registration for trainings in a new dojo in Gdynia. I was in void?) only for a few weeks. Surprisingly, Sato Sensei had
only 4th kyu at that time. The name Wadokan (many happy offered us his organizational help. At the beginning, I had some
greetings for all the members of our sister dojo in Texas) we fears because there weren’t any representatives of AWA in Eu-
got from Toyoda Shihan in August 1998. Our dojo was a part rope, and I had no experience in leading an independent dojo.
of the first structure of AAI in Poland. Our students participated But now I already know that becoming a member of AWA was
actively in all seminars and camps of this organization. the best decision in my whole aikido career, and it allowed me
to realize my dreams.
One of the instructors who very often visited our country was
Andrew Sato Sensei. We had the opportunity to meet him for In February 2010, after a five-year break exactly, Sato Sen-
the first time and to train under his direction in May 2001 in sei came to Poland and led a four-day long aikido seminar in
Olsztyn. It was exactly two months before Toyoda Shihan’s unex- Gdynia. For me personally, it was a really great experience.
pected passing. From 2002 until the end of 2004 Sato Sensei, First of all, it was the confirmation of our almost ten-year long
already as Chief Instructor of AAI, was leading the Aikido Sum- friendship and a special kind of comeback to the best period
mer Schools and Instructor Seminars in Poland. From the very in my adventure with aikido. For all the students of Wadokan
beginning, we saw him to be a true professional and a great Dojo, this seminar was a great opportunity for very intensive
man. He was very popular among Polish students of aikido, and training with a high-class instructor. Sensei made an (continued)
there is no doubt that his visits strongly influenced AAI develop-
ment in Poland. For me personally, his style of aikido was a
huge inspiration and became my main standard.
In January 2005, the Aikido Winter School in Krynica Zdroj
took place. It was one of the best camps I have ever partici-
pated in. Unfortunately at the end of this camp, we were in-
formed that it would be the final visit of Sato Sensei as an AAI
representative. For me personally, it was a severe loss, and I felt
that something was over.
Although we couldn’t train together, for the next few years Sato
Sensei and I were in touch by e-mail. Sensei kept me up to date
10