27th Feb 2009
Embrace the Basic by Jon Whatley
It has been a little over a month since we hosted the Southeastern Regional Seminar taught by Sensei Bunn. His core emphasis was on taisabaki, (body motion) and its role in the proper execution of technique. It seems that everyone who attended came away with a better understanding about the importance of being in the right place in order to more effectively apply technique. Speaking with students since the seminar I have been struck by comments such as “I enjoyed spending time working on Basic techniques.”, or “I think seminars like this will really help beginners.” Since the seminar I have tried to focus my classes on one or two Basic ideas. I have also pointed out to students that these concepts are more than Basic, they are Fundamental. Principles learned from exercises such as aikitaiso, and taisabaki toshu are the building blocks of all techniques. I am aware of other styles of Aikido which put a much greater emphasis on teaching techniques. Yet through observation it quickly becomes obvious many of their students lack a depth of understanding crucial to advancement.
I understand how students can become fixated on the testing list. Always looking ahead to their next rank. As instructors we must remind students that advancement is more than learning new techniques, but constantly working on improving those we have already learned. As students we should seek to make the lessons we are given more meaningful. A lot of attention is given to beginners on how to move with proper balance. The Fundamentals of body position, timing and controlling your own center are a mainstay of the beginners lessons, but their practice can not be over looked by those of us more advanced. In our rush towards attaining new Aikido knowledge we must not abandon the lessons and exercises which have gotten us where we are. There are some very Fundamental truths to be learned from the Basics.
Jon Whatley holds the rank of sandan and teaches and trains at Joshinkan Dojo in Raleigh, NC.
It has been a little over a month since we hosted the Southeastern Regional Seminar taught by Sensei Bunn. His core emphasis was on taisabaki, (body motion) and its role in the proper execution of technique. It seems that everyone who attended came away with a better understanding about the importance of being in the right place in order to more effectively apply technique. Speaking with students since the seminar I have been struck by comments such as “I enjoyed spending time working on Basic techniques.”, or “I think seminars like this will really help beginners.” Since the seminar I have tried to focus my classes on one or two Basic ideas. I have also pointed out to students that these concepts are more than Basic, they are Fundamental. Principles learned from exercises such as aikitaiso, and taisabaki toshu are the building blocks of all techniques. I am aware of other styles of Aikido which put a much greater emphasis on teaching techniques. Yet through observation it quickly becomes obvious many of their students lack a depth of understanding crucial to advancement.
I understand how students can become fixated on the testing list. Always looking ahead to their next rank. As instructors we must remind students that advancement is more than learning new techniques, but constantly working on improving those we have already learned. As students we should seek to make the lessons we are given more meaningful. A lot of attention is given to beginners on how to move with proper balance. The Fundamentals of body position, timing and controlling your own center are a mainstay of the beginners lessons, but their practice can not be over looked by those of us more advanced. In our rush towards attaining new Aikido knowledge we must not abandon the lessons and exercises which have gotten us where we are. There are some very Fundamental truths to be learned from the Basics.
Jon Whatley holds the rank of sandan and teaches and trains at Joshinkan Dojo in Raleigh, NC.
Posted in Inspiration
