UKEMI & KAESHI WAZA WORKSHOP
"The art of honest attack and loving
reconciliation"
Syllabus
I. Conditioning
Flexibility and strength. Breathing and the four basic Systema exercises.
II. Basics
Solo Ukemi: the various types of rolls, high ukemi and forwards and
backwards double arm slap ukemi. Soft high ukemi. Leaping ukemi, ukemi in a
tight space, joint ukemi with a partner and ukemi through crossed lines of
rolling people. Ukemi over kneeling partners. Ukemi without arms, including
snaking and side-rolling, and joint movement with one or more partners. Ukemi
in the real world, eg. on concrete.
III. Attacks
Fundamentals of strong, committed and honest attacks. Going for the center.
Not signalling the attack. Grabbing attacks as counterattack to Nage's attack.
Using attacks as nage - to throw or pin a partner. Relationship with sword, jo
and tanto. Includes grabbing, striking, choking, sweeping and kicking attacks.
Meaningful atemi and how to respond respectfully to atemi. Using breath to
defuse a hit. Bravery and generosity in uke. When to disengage and not play.
IV. Execution of Ukemi in Basic Technique
Uke as assistant instructor. Ukemi as the ultimate in harmonious movement.
Smooth, Connected and Egoless response to nage's technique.
Stamina development. Not feeling sorry for oneself. Specific physical skills for
Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, Irimi Nage, Shiho Nage, Kote Gaeshi etc.
V. Execution of Ukemi in Advanced Practice
(i) Double attacks and keeping them sincere. Ultra-strong attacks and when
to employ them. The stupidity of mindlessly blocking nage. Knife practice with
T-shirts and markers instead of knives. Practice with metal knives.
(ii) The apotheosis of Ukemi in Kaeshi Waza: ukemi as free choice. The basis of
Aikido kaeshi waza in the smooth ukemi of Section IV NOT in competitiveness.
VI. Aikido Kumite
Transcending the distinction between uke and nage. Basic rules: Start
traditionally, but uke is allowed to take kaeshi whenever this is feasible and
safe. Nage is allowed to apply atemi whenever feasible (i.e., uke is open), in a
manner not to cause damage. Practice should be slow at first. Thus uke can
become nage and vice versa. This can be done within the context of a specific
art or, for more advanced practitioners, be free practice. Only yudansha are
allowed to participate in or observe Aikido Kumite.
08/29/2007