AJA Newsletter

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

AJA Newsletter AJAAJA NNEWSLETTEREWSLETTER Volume XXXV, Issue 1 Winter 2012 Special points of interest: 2012 AJA dues are due The Concept of Zanshin in Japanese Martial Arts now. Please see your Reginald Lee Heefner sensei to submit as soon as possible. The concept of zanshin in Japa- written with the Sino-Japanese name), it also means “to take nese martial arts (bugei) and character heed.” So together, quite liter- martial ways (budo) is not easily ally, the two characters mean defined. For the moment, let us “remaining heart/mind” or use “a heightened state of alert- “remaining attention.” ness once one opponent has been dispatched” as a working Nelson’s classic Japanese-English definition, though it may be a bit dictionary does not list the clumsy. I personally believe that the basic meaning of which is compound for zanshin. How- it is not something that can be “to remain; be left over; linger; ever, it is listed in the Kojien, a explicitly taught, though a good stay; survive.” 1 comprehensive Japanese- sensei can draw students’ atten- Japanese dictionary that native tion toward its attainment, The syllable shin is the Sino speakers use then they are which happens only of its own Japanese character for “heart”2 stumped by the meaning of a Inside this issue: accord after decades of rigorous compound. Here it states that training. zanshin is “an attitude of mental preparedness for an enemy’s In order to get a better handle counter-attack once a technique The Pre-Emptive 2 on the term, I believe it can be has been effected in the art of Strike apprehended theoretically by sword or the art of the bow.” examining the meaning of the This character also expresses Thus, as we might well have two Sino-Japanese characters the semantic range of “mind, surmised, the origins of the The AJA: More 3 used to write the compound spirit, mentality, attention, in- concept inhere in the sword, Than Just Insur- that represents the concept. tention, interest, will, and true with a carry-over into the theo- meaning.” Combined with the ance retical and practical framework The syllable zan in zanshin is Japanese verb sura (to do, to (Continued on page 4) Newsletter Sub- 3 missions Stay On Your Feet About the AJA 5 J.D. McCurdy, President If attacked on the street, remain because they have studied self- tion of my closest karate friend. standing if at all possible. No defense strategies, and we have Promotions 5 one should want to go to the discussed such situations off and An aiki-ju-jutsu friend empha- ground. Hitting concrete or on over the years. I’m re- sized that the ground hurts (no asphalt will hurt. minded of what Sensei Al Gard- matter how well you are versed ner said at a camp at the Uni- in uekmi on hard surfaces), but When I decided on this topic, I versity Of Maryland one sum- he had mixed thoughts about knew where my thoughts were mer: “Dennis, as a karate-ka I the subject. According to his and why but was interested in will kick you and punch you to ryu, standing is the default strat- what other good martial artists I the ground so you will not get egy. Going to the ground is know thought about it. I al- up.” I got the same response either a last resort and danger- ready had a pretty good idea, when I recently asked the ques- (Continued on page 4) Page 2 AJA Newsletter The Pre-Emptive Strike David Patton In thinking about self-defense I was not the primary aggressor. disable the attacker and ensure have often asked myself when Of course, we do not know all the success of your defense. and where a pre-emptive strike of the dynamics of this event, Remember, this is a violent or “first blow” would be ap- but let us assume that she had robbery where a deadly propriate. It is important for been battered for years and weapon is used. There is noth- people who train as we do to knew from his body language ing that says you have to wait go through a kind of mental and statements that he had to be struck before striking scenario from time to time. every intention of hurting her. out. Doing so has proven to make Why would anyone believe that people sharper and more pre- she would have to yield or try The aggressive incidents de- pared when confronted with to run away before striking scribed above are potentially the prospect of real violence. first? very violent, a fact that justifies For those of us who study a pre-emptive maneuver. Keep “There is under the Budoshin system, it is Let us look at another situation in mind that most assaults are common practice to yield and that could happen to any of us. far less likely to harm people nothing that block before stunning and strik- You have just left the local mall physically. The prospect of ing or kicking. Of course, it is after shopping. You are in a being shoved or touched in an says you have our obligation as good citizens dark parking lot trying to get offensive manner will probably to avoid, evade, create dis- into your car. Just then, a man not justify a pre-emptive strike. to wait to be tance, and/or run whenever walks up behind you with a tire In most cases you will have to possible to thwart conflict. iron in his hand and says, “Give “yield” first. Students should struck before me all your cash or I’m gonna practice in reality-based situa- However, as a police officer for bust you up!” Just as you reach tions whenever possible, while striking out.” the last 23 years, I can tell you for your wallet, he raises the acting and responding in a re- that there are times when a iron as if to strike. What do sponsible and prudent way. person can defend him- or you do? Most of us know that This requires more than just herself lawfully by striking first. Osoto Gari would work well in dojo practice. It requires discus- For example, take a domestic this situation. Most of us do sions of legal matters, research- violence case: An abused not see that technique as pre- ing case law, speaking with woman faces her batterer. His emptive, but it is! You counter- lawyers about self-defense hands clinched, he looks very attack the attacker before he cases, training in real life sce- angry, and he says, “I’m going has a chance to complete the narios, etc. I not only train my to make sure, once and for all, strike. [Editor’s Note: This people in kata and waza, I ex- that you do what I say.” The might be an example of sen sen plain to them why we do what woman has no immediate es- no sen, as described in Reginald we do and what the ramifica- cape and decides she is not Heefner’s article, although that tions might be. We train with- going to go back to the hospital concept often applies to subtler out gi tops, with blindfolds, and again. Before he has a chance forms of threat.] If the tire iron in inferior positions to make to do or say anything else, she goes past the apex of his swing the training as real as possible. strikes him hard, breaking his (where his strike is most pow- The more you train in real jaw, and runs to safety. In erful), it will be too late and the terms, the better off you will many cases, despite the fact Osoto Gari will not work. So be when faced with a real dan- that she struck first, she may this is the time to strike. Now, ger. not be held at fault, since it can as most Yudansha know, you reasonably be inferred that she can amplify this technique to Volume XXXV, Issue 1 Page 3 The AJA: More Than Just Insurance George Kirby, Chairman For some sensei and students, the AJA don’t even have to meet on the outside sensei at black belt boards. is like a shoebox in the back of the same mat! It’s good PR for you, the sensei, closet with the word “Insurance” on it. and your students will appreciate it However, others see the AJA for what The AJA publishes the AJA News- too. it is – a service organization. You might letter. David Boesel and Will Har- ask, besides providing insurance, what ris have been doing an excellent job There are also AJA sensei who’d else does the AJA do? Well, it does a putting out issues of the newsletter love to teach a seminar at your lot! as an online publication. If you’re a dojo. This could be a good fund- sensei, you should be giving the link raiser for your dojo. All you have The AJA provides national certifi- to your students or providing them to do is ask. cates of rank, which are recognized with printed copies. You are en- in AJA dojo throughout the county. couraged to write an article for the The AJA can do a lot for you and your The certificates, required for all newsletter, whether you’re a sensei dojo – but you’ve got to get the shoe- members sankyu and higher, are or a student. Sensei Dave also box out of the closet. Use the AJA logo nice looking and inexpensive.
Recommended publications
  • In the Realm of the Spirit
    The Power of Harmony In The Realm of the Spirit Quantum Aikido, Creativity and The Unified field R. Moon © 2001 Zanshin Press 1 In the Realm of the Spirit Zanshin Press 75 Los Piños Nicasio, CA 94946 zanshinryu.com extraordinarylistening.com aikidoofmarin.com quantumedge.org © Copyright 2001 Zanshin Press All rights reserved Zanshin Press Zanshin Press - 2 -- In the Realm of the Spirit Acknowledgments To those who have gone before My teacher Robert Nadeau and his teacher Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei and his teacher the Aiki Kami For all they have to given me and those who follow Zanshin Press - 3 -- In the Realm of the Spirit Table of Contents Preface The Art of Aikido An Introduction The Principles The Principle of Energy The Principle of Centering The Principle of Grounding The Principle of Entering The Principle of Harmony The Principle of Unification The Principle of Resonance The Study & Practice Zanshin Press - 4 -- In the Realm of the Spirit Preface: On Learning The process of learning requires entering the unknown. Otherwise we gain only additive knowledge that doesn't disturb our present descriptions or change our existing order. In the Realm of the Spirit looks at our relationship to life through the art of Aikido. By looking through different windows of a house, we can come to know more about the inhabitants. What I describe is a view through one of many windows. My view is just a view. This is how it looks to me at this moment. Aikido is a profound art. This simplified description represents a doorway to learning, not the art.
    [Show full text]
  • The Fundamental Theorem of Kendo? December 17, 2011 Article (Part Of) Retrieved From
    By Stephen D. Quinlan The Fundamental Theorem of Kendo? December 17, 2011 Article (part of) retrieved from: http://www.kingstonkendo.org/dojo_manual.html Kendo is composed of an immense number of techniques and concepts centered on the The title of this article is a play on combative scenario of Japanese swordplay. Many of these concepts are intertwined “Fundamental Theorems” from with one another. Mathematics, most notably the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Even concepts which seem to be of completely different mindsets have inherent rela- tions. One specific example is shikake and oji waza or “attacking” and “counterattack- b [d/dx ʃ f(x) dx = f(x) ʃ a f(x) dx = ing” techniques. While these are related in the obvious sense that they are both ways F(b) − F(a), d/dx F(x) = f(x)] to hit a target their relation is much deeper than this. which relates two seemingly unre- The intent is to show how many common concepts in kendo can be generalized from lated concepts. their “beginner” definitions to ones which give rise to a much wider scope and attempt to broaden our understanding of these concepts. The result of this generalization will be to show how shikake and oji waza are related to one another so deeply that they can, in fact, be considered the same thing. Through this relation, a simplification of kendo appears. Basic Definitions: The following are basic definitions for the various notions discussed throughout. These basic definitions will be built upon in the following sections: Suki, “(1) Gap, space, (2) Break, interval, (3) Chink (in one’s armor), chance, opportunity” In kendo, suki is used to refer to an opening in the opponent’s (or your own) defenses.
    [Show full text]
  • School of Traditional Martial Arts
    School of Traditional Martial Arts ANCIENT THEORY, MODERN PRACTICE Kenshinryu — 3-5 Briggs St Palmwoods Qld — Ph:(6107) 5457 3716 – www.kenshin.com.au Contents LETTER FROM THE HEAD TEACHER ........................................................................................................ 1 KENSHINRYU.................................................................................................................................................. 2 DOJO PHILOSOPHY ....................................................................................................................................... 4 AIKIDO HISTORY ........................................................................................................................................... 5 SHINTO MUSO RYU HISTORY..................................................................................................................... 6 AIKIDO CLASSES ........................................................................................................................................... 7 SHINTO MUSO RYU CLASSES ..................................................................................................................... 7 JUNIOR AIKIDO .............................................................................................................................................. 7 DOJO ETIQUETTE........................................................................................................................................... 8 PRECAUTIONS FOR TRAINING ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Zanshin Jan 2005.Pub
    Volume 8 Issue 1 Newsletter of the Yoshukan Karate Association February 2005 Yoshukan Honbu Dojo Opened! Yoshukan Honbu Dojo Opened The Yoshukan Karate Association Honbu (Headquarters) Dojo opened in Mississauga, Ontario on January 1st, 2005. The dojo has 3,600 Sq. Ft. of floor space and houses: Main dojo floor (1,500 sq. ft.); second floor matted dojo; office; locker rooms; handicapped washroom; full kitchen; parent and stu- dent lounge; exercise area with universal gym; treadmill; stretching bar; library; washer/dryer units; and (under con- struction) massage/meditation room and sauna. The dojo project was lead by Sensei Betty Gormley and Gen- eral Contractor, Gordon Deane. The building is owned by Kancho Robertson and Sensei Gormley who took possession New Honbu Dojo main floor. A Kumite ring has been added in in August, 2004. Gord’s work crew (Spud; Matt; Keith; Jeff) red hardwood for members to practice their competition skills and the dojo volunteers (dozens!!) pitched in to make the space something we are all proud of. Special thanks to the dozens of dojo volunteers who devoted their XMAS-New Year’s break to get the dojo up and run- ning for our January 1st launch. Dojo members also generously donated the fridge; stove; dishwasher; microwave; coffee maker and kettle. Academy parents now get to have a coffee and read the paper while their kids train. The main dojo floor was constructed with special rubber ‘pucks’ (placed one foot apart) to give the floor a special ‘bounce’ while training. The locker rooms feature separate washrooms, showers, sinks, cubbies and (shortly) lockers.
    [Show full text]
  • Japanese Terms.Indd
    Norwalk CommonKendo Dojo Japanese terms used during practice Southeast Japanese Community Center 14615 Gridley Road. Norwalk, ShortCA 90650 Vowels Vowel Combinations [email protected] as in father,m alms ei=e+i sounded as in day e as in pen, red ai=a+i sounded as in alive i as in ink, machine ou=o+u sounded as in float o as in open, ocean au=a+u sounded as in out u as in true, cruel Japanese Words and Phrases English Translations Ohayo gozaimasu Good morning Konnichiwa Hello Konbanwa Good evening Sayonara Goodbye Oyasumi nasai Good night Arigato gozaimashita Thank you very much Onegai shimasu I'm requesting (to practice) Hai Yes Sensei Instructor/Teacher Yudansha Black-belt students Kenshi Kendo students Sempai Elders/Seniors Kouhai Younger/Lower juniors Ichi One Ni Two San Three Shi Four Go Five Roku Six Shichi Seven Hachi Eight Ku/Kyu Nine Ju Ten Kiai Showing your spirit and feeling through your voice Kamae Ready stance in Kendo Chakuza Sit on the floor Seiza Sit properly Mokusou Meditation Yame Stop Naore Return to original position Rei Bow Kiritsu Stand up Keiko Practice Kakari geiko Continuous attack practice Zanshin Mental and physical alertness, especially after completing an attack Norwalk Kendo Dojo Southeast Japanese Community Center 14615 Gridley Road. Norwalk, CA 90650 [email protected] Kendo Terms Japanese English Translations Ashi sabaki Footwork Dan Ranking system for advanced levels (1=lowest, 10=highest); equivalent to black belt in other martial arts Datotsu no kikai Chance of strike Ippon shoubu One point
    [Show full text]
  • Valley Aikido Member's Guide
    VALLEY AIKID MEMBERS GUIDE By: Julia Freedgood Design: Liz Greene Photography and concept: Special Thanks to Shannon Brishols, WHAT IS AIKIDO? RL Sarafon, Skip Chapman Sensei and the Greater Aikido Community Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art practiced for self development and defense. The word Aikido means “the way of harmony with ki.” Ki is hard to translate, but can be understood as breath power, spirit or universal life force. Morihei Ueshiba, or O-Sensei (great teacher) created Aikido in the early 1940s. A master of several classical Japanese martial arts (budo) including judo, kendo and jujitsu, O-Sensei developed Aikido to respond to the modern world. According to his son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Aikido is orthodox because it inherits the spiritual and martial tradition of ancient Japan . But O-Sensei Copyright VA © 2007 concluded that the true spirit of budo cannot be found in a All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system competitive atmosphere where brute force dominates and the or transmitted in any form by any process – photocopying, e-mail, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise – without the written permission of Valley Aikido. goal is victory at any cost. Instead, the path of Aikido leads to “victory over self” and is realized in the quest for self perfection of body, mind and spirit. Thus, unlike martial sports, Aikido avoids competition and VALLEY AIKIDO does not allow tournaments. Instead, it stresses collaborative practice allowing all students to pursue their individual Valley Aikido was founded by Paul Sylvain, shihan in 1985 to potential in an atmosphere of shared knowledge.
    [Show full text]
  • Kyokushin Terminology
    Kyokushin Terminology General Vocabulary General Japanese Greetings & Hai Yes Expressions Iee No Ohayô gozaimasu Good morning Watashi Me / I Konnichiwa Hello/Good afternoon Anata You Konbanwa Good evening Kare Him Arigatô gozaimasu Thank you! Doko Where Hajimemashite How do you do? Nan What Douzo yoroshiku Nice to meet you! Dare Who Dewa mata See you later Doshite Why Mata ashita See you tomorrow Itsu When Ja mata See ya! (less formal) Do/Ikaga How Sayonara Goodbye Ikura How many Shitsurei shimasu I'm leaving (very formal) Titles and Status Sumimasen Excuse me Dômo Thanks! Sosai President Onegaishimasu Please Kancho Director Dômo arigatou gozaimashita Hanshi Honorable Master Thank you very much (very polite) Shihan Grand Master (5th dan or more) Sensei School Master / Teacher (3rd dan or more) Sempai Senior / Teacher's assistant Shidoin Instructor Karateka Student Kohai Junior student Otagai Each other / Other students Yudansha Black belt student KyokushinGreetings Terminology and Salutes Osu Patience and Determination. Comes from 'oshi shinobu' which means to never give up. It also comes from 'osu no seishin' which means perseverance under pressure. It is used among kyokushin practionners to show respect or to say "I understand". Shinzen ni rei Greeting to the ancestors Shomen ni rei Greeting in direction of the person standing in the place of honor (usually more elevated than the students) Mokuso Meditation (silent thought) / Close your eyes Mokuso yame Open your eyes Shihan ni rei Greeting to the Shihan Sensei ni rei Greeting to the
    [Show full text]
  • Applying Kendo No Kata in Shinai Kendo S
    Applying Kendo no Kata in Shinai Kendo S. Quinlan January 5, 2020 This article assumes familiarity with the It can be difficult, especially for beginners, to parse the information from kendo no kata as well as several Japanese the kata and apply it to shinai kendo as this requires a firm grasp of several terms related to the kendo no kata and shinai kendo. All of this is in the descrip- complicated concepts, the understanding of which depends heavily on tions and glossary of the “Nihon Kendo experience, such as seme, tame, the san sappo, and the mitsu no sen. While no Kata & Kihon Bokuto Waza - Study Guide”, found here. at the same time the waza, footwork, kamae, and even the zanshin used in the kata themselves can seem completely disconnected from what is done in shinai kendo. This often relegates kata to something kendoka have tolearn “just for grading”. While there will be overlap between kata, the following were chosen as examples to be the simplest way in which the applications can be seen. PRinciples of the Kendo no Kata Applied to VaRious Shinai Kendo Situations Tachi Kata Kodachi Kata Application 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 Beginner kendo ✔ Key aspects of zanshin ✔ ✔ ✔ Applying basic seme ✔ Seme–tame ✔ Dealing with aggressive opponents ✔ ✔ Dealing with defensive opponents ✔ ✔ Fighting against jodan ✔ ✔ ✔ Effective oji waza ✔ Resisting seme ✔ Application Notes Beginner kendo Tachi kata #1 teaches sen, seme, correct maai, sutemi, zanshin. Both uchidachi and shi- dachi initially approach one another with a sense of spiritually building their intent to strike.
    [Show full text]
  • AIKIKAI Laguna Hills Glossary of Aikido Terms
    Laguna Hills AIKIKAI 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 | Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex 949.295.6355 [email protected] Glossary of Aikido Terms "Arigato gozaimasu" "Thank you" "Awari" (or "finished" "Awarimasu") Ai harmony, unity, to join or become one with, to love Ai-hanmi asymmetric stance (e.g. right foot to right foot) a wrist grabbing attack, with right on right or left on left. (Compare: Ai-hanmi katate-tori Gyaku-hanmi katatedori) Aiki harmonizing or blending with energy budo based on the aiki principle (one of the earlier names O-Sensei Aikibudo used for Aikido) Aikido the way of harmonizing with the force and principle of nature one who trains in Aikido (specifically, at an advanced or professional Aikidoka level) Aiki-jinja the Akido temple in Iwama Aikijo Aikido jo-staff exercises refers to a style of jujutsu. The term is often used in reference to Aiki-jutsu Daito Ryu, a style of jujutsu in which the founder trained (Sometimes also referred to as aiki-jujutsu) Aikikai Aikido "association" or "organization" or "club" Aiki-ken sword exercises/forms of Aikido Aiki-nage aiki-throw (a throwing technique) Aiki-otoshi aiki drop (a throwing technique) Aiki-taiso aikido warm-up exercises Ashi leg or foot Atemi (also: Ate) strike Awase to blend/harmonize/match the timing of the attack and response leg movement using alternating steps, right and left (similar to a Ayumi-ashi normal walking gait) B Batto sword Batto-ho sword training Bo a longer wooden staff (approx. 180-200cm in length) Bokken wooden sword Bokuto wooden sword "Martial" or "military." The Kanji character for "bu" has two Bu components: one indicates a weapon, while the other means to stop or lay aside.
    [Show full text]
  • Ryūshin Shōchi Ryū
    RYŪSHIN SHŌCHI RYŪ A cura di Daniel Leclerc Traduzione dal francese di Patrizia Claut Vecchiet Aggiornato al 1/12/2014 IAI JUTSU I FONDAMENTALI (reishiki, kamae, tenkū no tachi) I WAZA REISHIKI Il Reishiki non è considerato fondamentale per la scuola. Ma ne proponiamo comunque le sequenze fotografiche : • di inizio e fine lezione, • di tō-rei in piedi. NB : Contrariamente a molti altri stili, il Ryū non fa differenza fra il saluto alla spada eD al kamiza cioè, in entrambi i casi, si appoggiano prima la mano sinistra e poi la destra quando ci si inchina. Nel momento di risalire la mano sinistra lascia il tatami per ultima. REISHIKI DI INIZIO LEZIONE Posizione di fronte al kamiza: corpo in shizen-tai, spada in sagetō. 1) All’ordine dell’assistente : « SEIZA », prendere la posizione indicata. 2) Appoggiare la spada davanti come mostrato, 3) portare la spada a destra del corpo,tsuba all’altezza del ginocchio, ha all’interno. 4) L'insegnante è rivolto al kamiza. All’ordine dell’assistente: « SHINZEN NI : REI ! », salutare. 5) L’insegnante si rivolge dunque allo shimoza e, agli ordini dell’assistente : « SENSEI NI : REI ! » e « OTAGAI NI : REI ! », ripetere il saluto. Infine tornare in seiza. A fine lezione, l’insegnante è subito rivolto al shimoza e la sequenza degli ordini diventa : « SENSEI NI : REI ! » (insegnante rivolto al shimoza) « SHINZEN NI : REI ! » (insegnante rivolto al kamiza) « OTAGAI NI : REI ! » (insegnante rivolto al shimoza) Infine, eseguire tō-rei di fine lezione. TŌ-REI DI INIZIO LEZIONE Senza distogliere il metsuke, prendere il sageo e la spada con la mano destra e portarli verticalmente davanti a sé con lo ha rivolto verso il corpo.
    [Show full text]
  • Kihon Kata (Taikyoku Shodan)
    Zanshin Kai Karate Do – Kata Series – Volume 01. Zanshin Kai Karate Do and Kobudo presents: KIHON KATA (TAIKYOKU SHODAN) Information, history, hints, tips, secrets – all revealed… by Gary Simpson 雅利 真風尊 © 2020 Gary Simpson & Zanshin Kai Karate Do & Kobudo 1 Zanshin Kai Karate Do – Kata Series – Volume 01. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE This manual is intended for educational purposes only. None of the material within these pages should be regarded as a substitute for ‘hands-on’ training. Every student of karate has different goals and expectations. This combined with vast differences in personality, knowledge, discipline, training, experience, understanding and ability means that every person will reach a different outcome. The information depicted within is the experience of the author over the many years of his karate journey. The material presented is offered in good faith and in the spirit of karate-do. There is no intention whatsoever to decry or criticize any other person, club, style. You are who you are. I am who I am. The author and publisher will not accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions. This material has been extensively checked. However, no responsibility whatsoever is accepted by the author for any material contained herein that may be inadvertently incorrect. To the best of his knowledge it is correct. Again, there is no intention by the author to disrespect any individual, style or organization with any of the material shared in this booklet. This booklet is about sharing knowledge and technique ONLY. Zanshin Kai Karate Do & Kobudo Published by: PO Box 396 Leederville Western Australia 6903 v 7.8-240520 © 2017, 2020 Gary Simpson & ZKKD.
    [Show full text]
  • Grading Advice
    British Aikido Federation Technical Director, Minoru Kanetsuka 7th Dan, Aikikai Foundation, Tokyo IMPORTANT ELEMENTS FOR GRADING 1. Knowledge of technique 5. Maai & Zanshin 2. Contact (Ki) 6. Ukemi 3. Posture 7. Spirit 4. Flow & Flexibility 8. Manner and Attitude Candidates for kyu grades, below Ikkyu, should complete BAF Form 1(Application for Kyu Grade Examination) and Form 2 (Grading Result Form) Candidates for Ikkyu and all Yudansha grades should complete Form 1A (part 1) (Application for Ikkyu / Yudansha Examination), Form 1A (part 2) (Instructors Comments) and Form 2 (Grading Result Form). 1. Knowledge of technique. The candidate should show full understanding of the techniques specifically required for the grade being taken, as prescribed by the grading syllabus. They should, however, also be prepared to demonstrate techniques and understanding outside the range of the grading syllabus if required (e.g. if particular emphasis has been made during a class at Summer School). It is advisable to study the contents of the Teaching Syllabus as well as the Grading Syllabus. Yudansha should have full knowledge of all aspects of Aikido relevant to their grade (e.g. multiple attacks, weapons, jiyuwaza, etc.) 2. Contact (Ki.) (also called Kokyu Ryoku) is the natural power that can be produced when body and consciousness (mind) are unified. In the higher state of Aikido, kokyu ryoku is understood as spiritual energy that transforms into physical energy. Certain techniques of breathing also stimulate this process of transformation, (kokyu: breath ryoku: power). In Aikido, training to cultivate or to discover this kokyu ryoku is especially important because its discovery is necessary for the realisation of the potential that every person has within his or her consciousness.
    [Show full text]