It is sometimes said that there are 3 levels of Aikido practice – fixed practice, free practice and creative practice. However, there are also times when Aiki applications just seem to create themselves. And so it was with the below application. An accidental backward trip over a hakama during ushiro practice resulted in a spontaneous sutemi waza (sacrifice throw) response. Before you knew, we were recreating the movement and practising a new form of Aiki application (at least for our dojo).   ..read more

In the post-war period of his life, the teachings of Master Morehei Ueshiba (Founder of Aikido) involved significantly less focus on the teaching of pins. This trend has for the large part continued since O’sensei’s death to the point that there are now schools of Aikido that only teach so-called “health pins”. However, there are still those of us who enjoy and find value in the study of Aiki pins.  At our dojo, for example, we believe the study of pins plays an important role in ensuring that Aikido, in addition to its many othe ..read more

Suwari waza (sometimes referred to as Zagi waza) is a form of Aikido practice performed from the initial position of nage and uke sitting opposite and facing each other while kneeling  (seiza). In the below video Takeda Satoshi Sensei (7th Dan AKI Aikikai) demonstrates the application of Aiki principles for Suwari waza where the uke strikes the temple of the nage.  This form of traditional attack is referred to as shomenuchi. As Sensei is exploring responses from Suwari waza shomenuchi from a purely Aiki perspective, there is no predetermined outcome or pin a ..read more

Opposite side one-hand hold wrist grabs are typically one of the first “attack” types taught to new students of Aikido.  The reason for this is that the less aggressive nature of the attack (compared to say a strike) allows the nage (i.e. the receiver of the attack) to more readily focus on such things as correct footwork, moving around the point of contact, basic balance breaking principles, correct posture and movement, maintaining centre and getting off-line. As we move to Aiki studies, however, the cross hand grab needs to be considered in the contex ..read more

Training with 2 person attacks (Futari dori) is a common form of Aikido practice.  There are numerous syllabus techniques that can be practiced in these circumstances depending on the nature and the type of attack.  Typically beginners practice with the ukes statically holding each arm under resistance. As we progress to Aiki practice, formal syllabus technique is replaced with more free flowing and spontaneous responses.  The emphasis is on Aiki principles rather than defined outcomes. In the below video Chicko Xerri Sensei (6th Dan, AKI Aikikai, T ..read more