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Thanks to the age of the Internet, I was able to see a series of videos from 1979 featuring Tomiki explaining various points of his Aikido. The fourth one in the series can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/moI4s0_yuOg Unfortunately, I don't speak a word of Japanese. (Well, yes, my husband reminds me I love the words sushi and sake!) So while it was interesting to watch him in action, I had no idea what he was saying. Thanks again to the Internet, a friend sent me his notes on what was going on. This is not a direct translation, but it should help with understanding the points Tomiki is trying to make. Here's what my friend said: "The advancing step of the uke will make contact as the hand makes contact. Tori has the opportunity to step and step again in the same amount of time. Two steps with a hand blade, to break balance of the uke. The timing is critical to regain complete balance at the moment the uke is begging to lose balance. In the release form of honatsu no kata, Tomiki demonstrates that direction will not interfere with the hand blade form as long as two feet for the tori have advanced for every single step of the uke. The drill that's being presented is showing advanced methods of technique applied to the very basic movements. Tsurigi is referenced 3 times (taizo) to articulate the straightness of centering with the hand blade. To maintain control of the uke's balance tori essentially focuses on moving with the hand in a straight line through from the hara. Returning the grip: literal translation making return grip Nigiri kaeshi no tsukuri I understand that the kuzushi (unbalancing) is applied at the moment of the grip placing the uke on 1 foot, causing them to release their grip at the moment you step and grasp them in return. Applying the tegatana no kata principles of 2 for 1 step, this is the next piece of finesse. Hiji Mochi (capturing the elbow) Oshitaoshi uses this principle of capture with or without the butterfly grip, and maintaining hold. What do you do with the grasp at the wrist? If tori maintains hold, uke will resist and pull away in response. This is when tori advances to move with that pull. Uke is pulling tori behind and into the position to take control of the elbow from the back. There is some translation I'm lost in, but he references the use of 'skubioski <incorrect spelling> steps. Moving both feet while advancing with a hold on uke as they resist, continue moving into position until the elbow is captured. It is unique to see a breakdown of how long it can actually take to get someone on the ground if your set on taking only one specific hold. There is a segment where he uses a butterfly grip and a casting motion with the grasp. Simultaneously extending to separate the elbow and raising it into position, causing the uke to be "pulled" into tori." 
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Washington Governor Inslee’s Stay At Home Order has been extended. As such, the dojo remains physically closed until the mandates are lifted. We are still here for our students! Shinju Dojo Aikido is now offering private video lessons online. Each session will last thirty minutes and will be offered for at least as long as the shutdown lasts. To participate in a session, you will need:
Our regular, paid students can schedule up to one session per week for free for the duration of the shutdown. Those who are not already members of the dojo who wish to participate in long distance lessons can sign up for the discounted price of $25 per session. Sign up for 3 in a month, and get the 4th free! Billing will be done online and payments will be accepted by credit card. Contact us at sensei@shinjujdojo.com or (360) 998-0749 for more information and to schedule your session. Stay healthy and we hope to be back on the mat with everyone soon!  Check out our latest video on YouTube! This one features master martial artist David Lusk when he visited us in September. He's talking about keeping your hands and feet in sync when doing Jodo. https://youtu.be/5dnGDeeeF9c  Yesterday, Washington Governor Inslee declared a Stay At Home Order for a minimum of two weeks to go into effect tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25. As such, the dojo remains physically closed until the mandates are lifted. We are still here for our students! Shinju Dojo Aikido is now offering private video lessons online. Each session will last up to one hour and will be offered for at least as long as the shutdown lasts. To participate in a session, you will need:
Our regular, paid students can schedule up to one session per week for free for the duration of the shutdown. Those who are not already members of the dojo who wish to participate in long distance lessons can sign up for the discounted price of $25 per session. Billing will be done online and payments will be accepted by credit card. Contact us at sensei@shinjujdojo.com or (360) 998-0749 for more information and to schedule your session. We hope to be back on the mat with everyone soon! We love and miss our students! To better serve everyone during the extended shutdown here in Washington and elsewhere, Shinju Dojo Aikido is now offering private video lessons online. Each session will last up to one hour and will be offered for at least as long as the shutdown lasts. To participate in a session, a smartphone, tablet, or computer with video and microphone and a FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom account are needed. Our regular, paid students can schedule up to one session per week for free for the duration of the shutdown. Those who are not already members of the dojo who wish for long distance lessons can sign up for the discounted price of $25 per session. Billing will be done online and a credit card is needed for payment. Contact us at sensei@shinjujdojo.com or (360) 998-0749 for more information and to schedule your session. We hope to be back on the mat with everyone soon!  Due to concerns over the Coronavirus and Governor Inslee's proclamation, the Youth and Family Link Gym is shut down until at least March 31, 2020. Shinju Dojo Aikido will also be postponing our classes until further notice. We will keep everyone posted as we have information. When we do get the go-ahead to reopen, March dues will be credited towards the next open month's classes. In the meanwhile, we encourage our members to spend time enjoying the spring sunshine and time with their families. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!  Congratulations to Cory and Chance on your yellow belt promotions last night! You guys did great and we're very proud of how much you've learned in such a short time. Keep up the good work and you'll be black belts before you know it!  "In an abundance of caution regarding the recent COVID-19 outbreak, we are cancelling our 2020 spring clinic planned for June 5-7. We hope to reschedule for sometime in the fall. Our primary concern is for the health and safety of our students and guests. Thank you for your understanding." https://www.windsongdojo.com/2020/03/07/2020-spring-clinic/  I was perusing Windsong Dojo's website and found this great resource of study guide videos for new people all the way to Sandan (3rd black belt) level. Check it out: www.windsongdojo.com/2020/02/08/aikido-study-guides-available/  I was recently asked if we post our rank requirements for promotion. I have uploaded them to the Class Information page, but you can also download them here. As you might notice, it's fairly easy to build your skills to earn your black belt with regular practice. We do not have tests, as such. Rather, our philosophy is that when you are doing a demonstration for promotion, it is a demonstration of skills you have already shown us you have mastered. You have already earned your rank. But, it is good practice for getting over stage fright, building confidence, and celebrating your hard work. We never charge for promotions. You have come to class, participated, learned skills, and formed lasting bonds of friendship. You have earned your rank for yourself. Enjoy your rewards! We are proud of you!  Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City has announced the dates for their June Seminar! Friday, June 5- Sunday, June 7 BBQ Dinner on Saturday night Early bird registration is $40 until May 1st, when the price will increase to $50. This covers a weekend of camaraderie and budo instruction from some top-notch practitioners. Saturday dinner is an additional $15. Please RSVP to info@windsongdojo.com if you are planning to attend. More information can be found on their website: https://www.windsongdojo.com/2020/02/03/2020-spring-clinic/  A great-big thank you to everyone who attended and hosted booths at the 2019 Solstice Lantern Walk at Lake Sacajawea! "WOW - Thank you to my friends the Gawlicks of Shinju Dojo Aikido who coaxed me to come to the Solstice walk and let me spend the evening talking to the walkers! Great event - from kids in prams to adults with canes and a die hard walker on crutches, tacos from La Familia - put this event on your calendar for next year... even with a bit of drizzle it was safe, fun and a great event. My thanks to everyone who worked so hard - all as community volunteers - to create and run this fun event." -- Claire H "Thanks for all the work that went into this. It was fun and I’ll definitely spread the word next year." -- Annette J "The kids made it so much fun." -- Jeanne N Shinju Dojo hosted planet Mars again and a fantastic time was had by all. A full write-up on the event can be found at the Friends of Galileo Astronomy Club website here: https://www.friendsofgalileo.com/blog/2019-solstice-lantern-walk-highlights We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!  Sad news that our dear friend Glenn Billings of Windsong Dojo passed Monday, December 30, 2019. Services will be held Sunday, January 5 at 1:00 at Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City.  Join Shinju Dojo at this year’s second annual Solstice Lantern Walk Through the Solar System. We will be hosting a table at the planet Mars. When: Saturday, December 21 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Where: Our path follows markers on the west side of Lake Sacajawea, representing a 3.7 billion mile stroll from the Sun (south end of the lake) to Pluto (north end). We'll bring some light and cheer to the longest night of the year, and celebrate the return of longer days. - Bring the family. - Dress for the weather. - Bring headlamps and balloon lanterns and flashlights. - Look for Santa! Let’s celebrate the return of longer days and warm up the start of winter by meeting new friends! Meet some of the small organizations that make Longview a great place to live. - Get your solar system passport stamped as you reach each planet. - Vote for the best-lit planet. - Share your photos of the event with your friends. https://www.friendsofgalileo.com/solstice.html  A great big thank you goes out to David Lusk for teaching our Jodo seminar last weekend! It was a huge success and a lot of fun. We had a fantastic turnout and look at all the smiles and promotions. Everyone learned a lot and a great time was had by all. Thank you for making it such a wonderful event, everyone. We hope to see you again soon.   Master martial artist David Lusk is visiting Shinju Dojo all the way from Houston, Texas to teach a Karl Geis Ryu Jodo (short staff) seminar. He has a 6th degree black belt in Jodo and a 7th degree black belt in Aikido. We look forward to seeing you on the mat! Saturday, September 14: 9:00 - 11:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 Social dinner out on Saturday night Sunday, September 15: 9:00 - 11:00 and 1:00 - 3:00 Youth and Family Link Gym 907 Douglas Street Longview, WA 98632 $75 Early Bird Registration (before August 1) $100 Regular Registration (before September 1) Invoices will be sent online after we receive your filled out registration form and can be paid by credit card or in person by cash. Registration is not complete until payment is received. $25 T-Shirts can be purchased from our website: https://www.shinjudojo.com/links.html Please let us know if you need assistance finding accommodation recommendations. We can be reached at sensei@shinjudojo.com or (360) 998-0749.  Congratulations, Laval, on your green belt! Have fun on your new adventures!  Congratulations, Dawson, on your green belt promotion! You are doing fantastic!  Aikido Journal has a very interesting online article with an interview of Kenji Tomiki that explains some of the history of our style of Aidido. Please click here to read the article.  Congratulations, Laval and Dawson, on your Orange Belt promotions! You guys are doing great and learning fast. We're very proud of you both!  Aikido Journal has a very interesting online article with an interview of Kenji Tomiki that explains some of the history of our style of Aidido. Please click here to read the article.  Master martial artist David Lusk is visiting Shinju Dojo all the way from Houston, Texas to teach a Karl Geis Ryu Jodo (short staff) seminar. He has a 6th degree black belt in Jodo and a 7th degree black belt in Aikido. We look forward to seeing you on the mat! Saturday, September 14: 9:00 - 11:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 Social dinner out on Saturday night Sunday, September 15: 9:00 - 11:00 and 1:00 - 3:00 Youth and Family Link Gym 907 Douglas Street Longview, WA 98632 $75 Early Bird Registration (before August 1) $100 Regular Registration (before September 1) Invoices will be sent online after we receive your filled out registration form and can be paid by credit card or in person by cash. Registration is not complete until payment is received. $25 T-Shirts can be purchased from our website: https://www.shinjudojo.com/links.html Please let us know if you need assistance finding accommodation recommendations. We can be reached at sensei@shinjudojo.com or (360) 998-0749. https://www.shinjudojo.com/seminars.html  ...for such a lovely visit! We look forward to the next time we get to see you on the mat and hope you can come by again soon. Have a fantastic summer!  Join us for class next week when George Spriggs visits us all the way from Oklahoma. He is an 8th degree master black belt in Aikido and a lot of fun to be around. You won't want to miss this one - even if it's your first class! See you Monday! First class is free! Every class is fun! We are currently accepting new students of various ages and abilities. Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00 - 6:00 Youth and Family Link Gym 907 Douglas Street Longview, WA (360) 998-0749 sensei@shinjudojo.com https://www.shinjudojo.com  Join us for class on Monday. We're open on the holiday and the first class is free! Currently accepting new students of various ages and abilities. Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00 - 6:00 Youth and Family Link Gym 907 Douglas Street Longview, WA (360) 998-0749 sensei@shinjudojo.com https://www.shinjudojo.com  |
AuthorHeather and Roy Gawlick love Aikido and have a passion for sharing it with others. They hope you'll catch the Aikido bug, too! Archives
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