Aikido World

Aiki Farms is a traditional Aikido dojo located on a...

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:01:47 -0500

Aiki Farms is a traditional Aikido dojo located on a biointensive farm in Ledyard, CT founded by Robert Burns Sensei in 2001, bringing together his twin passions of Aikido and farming. Burns Sensei believes that theknowledge of cultivation and nutrition gained through farming significantly increases ones’ understanding of the depth and complexity of Aikido. He was an uchideshi student of T.K. Chiba, Shihan, a direct student (uchideshi) of O-Sensei. Both O-Sensei and Fumio Toyoda Shihan had roots in farming. The founder was known to often say, “budo and farming are one.”

The Aikido Association of America will present a new one week intensive Kenshusei experience hosted by Aiki Farms in Coneticutt. This program will immerse the student in traditional training in Aikido, Zen, Iaido, and Farming. Tatsuo Toyoda Sensei will be instructing with other guest sensei.

If you have inquires about this program, please contact the AAA Headquarter Office at (773) 525-3141 or via email with info@aaa-aikido.com.

Group photo from the joint friendship seminar between the...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:44:56 -0500

Group photo from the joint friendship seminar between the California Aikido Association and the Aikido Association of America.

Special thank you to Cyndy Hayashi Sensei, Christine Dyer Sensei, and Ganshinkan Dojo for helping to create a wonderful event!

A list of parts of the bokken (wooden sword) and katana (sword)...

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:01:36 -0500

A list of parts of the bokken (wooden sword) and katana (sword) for Aikido students from the Aikido Association of America’s Weapon Workshop at Tenshinkan Dojo.

Photos of the Aikido demonstration from the Martial Spirits Expo...

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:33:07 -0500

Photos of the Aikido demonstration from the Martial Spirits Expo in Belgium.

Aikido Weapons Workshop at Tenshinkan Dojo in Chicago, IL.

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:01:50 -0500

Aikido Weapons Workshop at Tenshinkan Dojo in Chicago, IL.

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:01:28 -0500

Aikido Weapons Workshop at Tenshinkan Dojo in Chicago, IL.

Sun, 12 May 2013 09:54:00 -0500

Aikido Weapons Workshop at Tenshinkan Dojo in Chicago, IL.

John Ratnam Sensei demonstrating an aikido technique in Dubai,...

Sat, 11 May 2013 09:04:29 -0500

John Ratnam Sensei demonstrating an aikido technique in Dubai, UAE.

Levels of Instruction by James Nakayama Sensei

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:05:19 -0500

Levels of Instruction:

1) Traditional, and most common, is to just demonstrate a technique. This type of teaching has few restrictions that makes it possible for the student to explore the technique and adjust it to their individual nature, freeing them from formalized movement. The drawback is, without proper feedback, it’s difficult to recognize movement flaws, even for students who have proper training in mechanics. This ultimately leads to ingraining movements that become difficult to correct as time goes by.

2) Teaching forms by rote allows the student to see and hear what steps need to be done, and to be able to repeat the steps, making learning easier. To do this, the instructor needs to understand what the footwork and body movement of a technique are, and to be able to present it in an organized and systematic methodology suitable to the level of the students.

3) It’s important for the instructor to understand each step of a technique thoroughly. For the instructor to only be able to demonstrate step-by-step movement of a technique is not always adequate and efficient, because this often requires the student to memorize multiple, and unfamiliar movements. To alleviate this problem, an instructor must be able to explain the rationale of why certain setups and movements are done. If the student understands why something is done, then it becomes easier to remember.

4) An instructor needs to be able to see details and describe them to students. Step-by-step repetition is not enough to teach all the details that make a technique efficient. After the gross movements are learned, students then apply what they’ve learned through free practice. During this free practice, the students who are not grounded in proper mechanics will have to be reminded of basic principles and mechanics. Students who have good mechanics will need guidance in concepts of connection, extension, flow, rhythm, kuzushi (balance breaking) etc. It is the up to the instructor to bring these points to the attention of the students.

5) For an instructor to be able to see and point out corrections to a student is not always enough. Students may understand that they’re doing something wrong, but that doesn’t mean they will know how to correct it. An instructor must be able to address individual specific problems by demonstrating how to make corrections. Because there are innumerable and unique situations that need to be addressed, an instructor needs to have a depth of understanding that gives birth to innovation. This innovation leads to creating solutions to specific areas of training.

Nakayama Sensei is the Shibucho (Branch Leader) of the AAA Western Region, in charge of the Regional Test Committee and Black Belt Association. He is a member of the AAA National Teaching Committee, and the Aikido Association International (AAI) Teaching Committee.

T. Toyoda Sensei at Mill City Aikido.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:03:39 -0500

T. Toyoda Sensei at Mill City Aikido.

The Aikido International Foundation (AIF) has some exciting news...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:06:55 -0500

The Aikido International Foundation (AIF) has some exciting news about offering travel scholarships for aikidoka.

Please click here for the application!

Support our Veterans!

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:01:46 -0500

Help support our veterans by donating to my “Run-Walk to Home Base presented by New Balance“ race entry.

The 2013 RUN-WALK TO HOME BASE presented by New Balance is a unique and special event that celebrates our military heroes and raises necessary funds for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. The Home Base Program is committed to serving the needs of veterans with combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury and their families, but we need your support.

Your support to the Home Base Program will help to ensure that local veterans who served our country receive the clinical treatment they need for combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury, and that their families get the guidance and support they need. The Home Base Program also seeks to advance innovative treatments that hold the most potential for helping veterans with combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury and their families.

Here is the link to the fundraiser page, you can donate on the web:

http://www.runtohomebase.org/2013runtohomebase/frankjgallo

Frank Gallo Sensei (Aikido Association of America Eastern Regional Director) must raise at least $750 before 5:00 PM on Monday April 29. Please consider donating to this important project. There is no minimum donation, and your donation is tax deductible.

Thank you very much for your consideration!

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:01:42 -0500

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar hosted by Mill City Aikido.

Tatsuo Toyoda Sensei executing a koshinage throw at the Aikido...

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:01:32 -0500

Tatsuo Toyoda Sensei executing a koshinage throw at the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar hosted by Mill City Aikido.

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:01:27 -0500

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar hosted by Mill City Aikido.

Aikido Seminar in Kansas

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:39:18 -0500

C. Dyer Sensei (Western Regional Director) will be instructing in Kansas this weekend!

For more information, contact: info@aaa-aikido.com

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar...

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:01:42 -0500

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar hosted by Mill City Aikido.

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:01:44 -0500

From the Aikido Association of America’s aikido seminar hosted by Mill City Aikido.

Click for more photos from the Tatsuo Toyoda Sensei Aikido...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:01:25 -0500

Click for more photos from the Tatsuo Toyoda Sensei Aikido Seminar hosted by Mill City Aikido.

Photo

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:24:36 -0500