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Are you gearing up to get your green belt promotion? You will need to show a basic understanding of the Tegatana No Kata (the walk), all of the Hanasu No Kata (eight releases), and the first five of the Ju Nana Hon Kata (seventeen basic techniques). The first grouping of the Ju Nana Hon Kata is called Ateme Waza, the striking techniques: 1. Shomen Ate — frontal head strike 2. Aigamae Ate — fitting posture strike 3. Gyaku Gamae Ate — reverse posture strike 4. Gedan Ate — low strike 5. Ushiro Ate — from behind strike Here's a handy website with videos to everything you need to know. You've got this! https://www.windsongdojo.com/aikido-at-windsong-dojo/aikido-kata/aikido-study-guide-yonkyu/ 
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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 [email protected] or (360) 998-0749 for more information and to schedule your session. We hope to be back on the mat with everyone soon!  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!  Check out our latest video of Heather Gawlick teaching arm bars at Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City in the fall 2018 seminar. This is part 3 of 4. https://youtu.be/eO6-woK3TrQ  Check out our latest video of Heather Gawlick teaching arm bars at Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City in the fall 2018 seminar. This is part 2 of 4. https://youtu.be/0GvNeSpDGM0  Hot off the press! Check out our latest video of Heather Gawlick teaching arm bars at Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City in the fall 2018 seminar. This is part 1 of 4. https://youtu.be/ybJL5EAiRLg  Why don't we use pain compliance in our Aikido? by Heather Gawlick I've seen so many times on the Internet and heard so many people in person argue that you can defeat any opponent using pain compliance. They say if it isn't working, you just need to hurt the other person more. Then it will work. Pain compliance uses the philosophy of performing joint locks or other holds using so much force and pressure the other person is physically hurt. The assumption is because of pain, uke will stop attacking, take a fall, or otherwise do what you want in order to get you to stop injuring them. I see so many problems with this philosophy. Where do I begin? First off, no one can invoke pain in every other person out there every time. Sure, a skilled practitioner can hit hard and fast enough to inflict pain on a large number of people. But, relying on pain over off-balance seems foolish to me. I've met plenty of Judoka whose wrists are like tree trunks. There's no way to reliably create torque in such a fashion as to cause them pain. If you did, many of these same fellows would laugh at your gaping jaw as they tossed you over their shoulder because they simply don't care if they are injured. There are also those who are so incredibly flexible pain isn't inflicted until the joint is close to breaking. (Just ask my student we nicknamed "Bendy Guy.") Pain is not a reliable weapon or method of control. Secondly, while some people are very skilled at hurting others in this fashion, I just don't understand why you would want to do this repeatedly in class to someone you claim is your friend. At the very least, you are causing repetitive stress injuries in your partners and classmates. All it takes is one careless or over-zealous mistake to permanently hurt someone. Why would you do that to a friend? Conversely, what kind of a friend treats you like this class after class? It goes against everything budo and comradery stand for. Aikido is famous for being an art of compassion, so why taint it with injuring one another? Ueshiba is quoted as saying, "To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace." This should remain our goal. Lastly, it seems to me those who discuss this tactic are so focused on inflicting pain, they've missed sight of the bigger picture and the real power of Aikido. True Aikido moves start with taking the opponent's balance. If you don't have the balance, there is no reason for uke to do anything except continue to attack you. If you have the balance, they become putty in your hands and you have complete control over their whole body - not just one joint or limb. It's much more powerful to throw the complete person to the earth than to simply break a joint. Watch a few videos of Karl Geis and you'll see what I mean. The whole philosophy of pain compliance seems very shortsighted. So, please be kind to each other. Throw the pain compliance out the window. It's unnecessary. Throw your whole partner instead. It's so much more fun to watch them launch across the room whilst neither partner feels a thing. At the end of the class, no one is hurt physically or emotionally. Aikido should be about skills and fun - not bullying.  Why do we have to practice our Aikido so slowly all the gosh-darned time? by Heather Gawlick Slooooower... Slooooower... Slooooower... But, sensei, it's not as much fun! Slooooower... Slooooower... Slooooower... Awwwwwhhhhhh... Maaaaaaaan! This conversation repeats itself every class. I chuckle as my students complain. Sure, it's tons of fun to go fast. I totally get it. While there are certainly times when valuable lessons occur at high speeds, the majority of class should be performed slowly. The most obvious reason is safety. We have a stellar track record for our lack of injuries, and we would like to keep it that way. When partners work slowly, they have a chance to let each other out of a potential danger prior to it becoming a terminal problem with damaging consequences. Another practical reason is it is simply not nice to exhaust your partner. People like taking a few big falls sometimes for fun, but most people don't want to spend the entire hour and a half going full force and wearing themselves out. If you are constantly going full speed, your partner is going to resent being worn out from throws and sore from cranking down on joint locks too often. No one will want to work with you if they are always worried about becoming injured or being exhausted. There is also the problem of working faster than your brain can keep up with all the data being thrown its way. When you always work at fast speeds, you simply cannot observe all the details and intricacies of all the movements. The subtleties get lost in the blur of movement. When you slow down, you start to realize all the tiny corrections needing to be made in your motions and the off-balance points (or lack thereof) in your partner. This is critical for advancing your understanding of the art. Aikido is all about off-balance and subtle movements. Miss those, and you miss 90% of Aikido. When you practice slowly, you become more sensitive to the nuances in your own body and in your partner's. When my students complain I'm not teaching them how to do randori at a super high level (you know who you are!), I tell them they need to practice slower so they can feel what's going on. When I watch super high-ranked players do Aikido, what sets them apart from the rest of the crowd is they are able to feel super subtle movements both in themselves and in others. The only way I know how to learn that skill is to spend many, many mat hours going very slowly. That is when the magic finally starts to happen. People I see who always work hard and fast never seem to make that next leap into the land of magic. So, yes, it is lots of fun to go fast and hard. It is even a good idea to learn what happens to your Aikido when you do. But, in my opinion, if you want to learn the real 'voodoo,' you have to slow it down a few notches in your regular practice. Slooooower... Slooooower... Slooooower... No. I mean slower than that. Slower than Tai Chi speed. Slooooower... Slooooower... Slooooower... Now, you're talking!  How to find a martial arts school by Heather Gawlick Over the years, I've been asked by a variety of people for advice on how to choose a martial arts school. Obviously, my answer is "We're the best!" Joking aside, it can be a daunting task to figure out from the myriad of choices available which one is right for you. First, I would recommend doing a bit of self-reflection. What is it you are looking for? Some common themes include:
After you've considered what is drawing you to the martial arts, it's time to begin your search. Try using tools like Google, Yelp, and Facebook to help them learn what is available in their area. Search terms include phrases like "martial art," "karate," "aikido," "judo," "tai chi," "kendo," etc., plus your city name. Don't forget to check your local gym and community center listings of classes, too. You can learn a lot by the look and feel of the web site for each particular school or dojo. Does the school focus on friendliness or power? It is important to continue your search until you find a school whose atmosphere matches your personality. A good match can be worth a commute, as you may make lifetime friendships. Do they have photos and/or videos on their web site so you can see their ambiance, teaching style, and what the martial art looks like? Are the teachers confident, relaxed, calm, and patient? Look for the credentials of the lead instructor(s). Is the teacher a first-degree black belt whose been teaching for one year, or is it someone who has a tenth-degree black belt who has been teaching for fifty? Do they specialize in one art, or do they study and/or teach multiple disciplines? When you feel you are getting close to what you are looking for, call the school and talk to the instructor. (In Japanese arts, you may see terms such as sensei - teacher, or shihan - master teacher.) Are you comfortable with the person on the phone? Do you like the answers to your questions? Do they listen to your concerns? What is the safety record of the school? Do they focus on "pressure points" and "pain compliance" or do they talk about "off-balance" and "timing?" Are you comfortable with the answers? Would you want someone performing those techniques on you? Ask them if they allow you to participate in a first class for free or if you can at least watch on the sidelines before signing up. What kind of gear must you purchase and how often? What is the pricing structure for the classes? Do you need to sign a contract or is it on a monthly basis? Are there association/insurance dues you must purchase? What are the promotional standards? Are there fees for the promotions? Are they refundable if you don't pass an exam? (Most are not, but it is worth asking.) Are you required to attend seminars locally or otherwise? How often? What are the additional costs? Do you have to be in shape before joining? Is this a martial art for everyone or only for those who are fit? Does this work for you? Talk to the instructor about what it is you are looking for and why you called. This place may not be the right one for you, but perhaps he or she can make a recommendation. Finally, be sure to thank the teacher for the time on the phone (or by email if you choose that route). Most of the instructors I know are very busy people who work another job in addition to their martial arts school and teach because it is their passion. Very few make enough money to cover the expenses of running the school, much less earn any sort of profit. Joining a school with a good fit can lead to a lifetime commitment not only to the art itself, but also the people you meet. Most of my martial arts friends say their dojo community is more important to them than their own families. Good luck! I'm sure you will find the perfect fit!  |
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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YMCA of Southwest Washington - 766 - 15th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632
(360) 998 - 0749 - [email protected]
(360) 998 - 0749 - [email protected]
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