Monday 25 November 2013

Tachi Dori Workshop, This Friday!

Just a quick reminder that Sensei Small (4th dan, Iwama Aikido) will be teaching a Tachi Dori (sword-taking) workshop at the Hartland Aikido Club this Friday (29th November) evening between 7:00 and 9:00pm. If you practise Aikido and you wish to attend, you will be very welcome no matter to which style or organisation you belong. This short video will give you a few ideas of what to expect...


Sunday 17 November 2013

Aikido Class Schedule Updates

Between now and the end of the year there are a few changes to our regular class schedule. Normally we practise on Mondays at 7:30 and Thursdays at 7:00. However, due to various other events taking place, the following dates have been changed. Please make note!

Monday 18th November: No Aikido tonight!!!

Thursday 28th November: No Aikido tonight!!!

Friday 29th November: Special Event - Sensei Small's Tachi Dori Workshop
Tonight we are pleased to host a special Tachi Dori (sword-taking) workshop given by Sensei Richard Small (4th dan Iwama Aikido and Sensei at the Bideford Aiki-jo Club).

Monday 2nd December: There is an Aikido class tonight!!!
(usually there is no class on the 1st Monday of the month)

Monday 9th December: No Aikido tonight!!!
(there is another event in the village hall)

Apart from the changes noted above, classes continue as normal on Mondays and Thursdays.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Koichi Tohei, rare historic video

I just came across this old video (from 1962 I think) of Koichi Tohei who was at that time the Founder's chief instructor but who later went on to develop the style popularly known as 'Ki Aikido'. In this video, Tohei shows a variety of exercises, throws and also some jo-dori and knife defences. The thing I find fascinating about Tohei is how 'natural' he looks. He never adopts a 'martial arts' stance. He just seems to be walking around without a care in the world but happening to throw people as they attack. It is that relaxed 'naturalness' that fascinates me and it is a quality to which I (perhaps vainly?) aspire. At any rate, see what you think...


Friday 1 November 2013

Aikido Dates for November

There are a few changes to our normal schedule this November. Plus, at the end of the month, we have a very special event. So be sure to add these dates to your diary:

Monday 4th November: Club meets at 7:30
(we normally take the 1st Monday off but this month we've swapped a night with the Bucks Cross Gardening Society - see next entry...)

Monday 18th November: No Aikido tonight!!!
(this is the date we swapped - see above)

Thursday 28th November: No Aikido tonight!!!

Friday 29th November: Special Event - Sensei Small's Tachi Dori Workshop
Tonight we are pleased to hoist a special Tachi Dori workshop given by Sensei Richard Small (4th dan Iwama Aikido and Sensei at the Bideford Aiki-jo Club).

If you are unfamiliar with Tachi Dori, this will give you a taster...