Techniques
The aikido Windsong teaches contains a series of kata as well as the practice of randori. Although, unlike many Tomiki-ryu schools, our approach utilizes a non-competitive form of randori. As with judo, randori serves as a method of applying principles learned through long repetition of kata.
Aikido kata are performed from both standing and kneeling positions:
Tachi Waza — Standing Techniques
Suwari Waza — Kneeling Techniques
Within the kata are a wide range of technical applications, which include:
Nage Waza — Throwing Techniques
Katame Waza — Locking Techniques
Atemi Waza — Striking Techniques
Kansetsu Waza — Joint Techniques
Ukemi Waza — Falling Techniques
The first three kata included below, as well as the first five techniques of O Waza Ju Pon make up the requirements for Shodan (1st degree black belt).
After earning the rank of shodan, students continue to refine and explore those techniques and principles through the study of six higher kata:
Koryu Dai Ichi — 1st Advanced Kata
Koryu Dai Ni — 2nd Advanced Kata
Koryu Dai San — 3rd Advanced Kata
Koryu Dai Yon — 4th Advanced Kata
Koryu Dai Go — 5th Advanced Kata
Koryu Dai Roku — 6th Advanced Kata
These higher kata also include technical applications using classical Japanese weapons:
Tanto Dori — Defense Against a Knife
Tachi Dori — Defense Against a Sword
Jo Dori — Defense Against a Jo
Jo Nage — Techniques Using a Jo
Tachi Tai Tachi — Sword Against Sword
Click on the name of a technique in blue to watch a video with detailed instructions.
Tegatana no Kata—”The Walk”
1) Shomen Ashi — forward step
2) Waki Ashi — side to side step
3) Tenkan Ashi — turning step
4) Shomen Te Gatame — straight hand blade (same hand/foot)
5) Uchi Mawashi — inside sweep hand blade (same hand/foot)
6) Soto Mawashi — outside sweep hand blade (same hand/foot)
7) Uchi Soto Gaeshi — forward block & side push (same hand/foot)
8) Uchi Mawashi Gaeshi — inside sweep & turn (same hand/foot)
9) Soto Mawashi Gaeshi — outside sweep & turn (opposite hand/foot)
10) Ude Goshi Gaeshi — arm & hip turn (opposite hand/ foot)
11) O Mawashi — major circle (opposite hand/foot)
12) Yoko O Mawashi — side major circle (both hands/feet)
Hanasu Waza—”The 8 Releases”
1) Hon Soto Hanasu — normal outside release (palm down)
2) Hon Soto Te Osu — normal outside hand push (palm up)
3) Gyaku Soto Hanasu — reverse outside release (palm up)
4) Gyaku Soto Te Osu — reverse outside hand push (palm down)
5) Hon Uchi Hanasu — normal inside release (palm up)
6) Hon Uchi Ude Hineri — normal inside arm twist (palm down)
7) Gyaku Uchi Hanasu — reverse inside release (palm down)
8) Gyaku Uchi Ude Hineri — reverse inside arm twist (palm up)
Ju Nana Hon Kata—”The 17 Basic Techniques”
ATEME WAZA — STRIKING TECHNIQUES
1) Shomen Ate — frontal head strike
2) Aigamae Ate — fitting posture strike
3) Gyaku Gamae Ate — revearse posture strike
4) Gedan Ate — low strike
5) Ushiro Ate — from behind strike
HIJI WAZA — ELBOW TECHNIQUES
6) Oshi Taoshi — knock or push down
7) Ude Gaeshi — arm reversal
8) Hiki Taoshi — elbow pull & push down
9) Ude Hineri — arm twist
10) Waki Gatame — side of chest arm lock
TEKUBI WAZA — WRIST TECHNIQUES
11) Kote Hineri — wrist twist
12) Kote Gaeshi — wrist reversal
13) Tenkai Kote Hineri — rotating wrist twist
14) Shiho Nage — four corner (all directions) throw
UKI WAZA — FLOATING TECHNIQUES
15) Mae Otoshi — forward drop
16) Sumi Otoshi — rear corner drop
17) Hiki Otoshi — elbow pull and drop
Owaza Ju Pon—”The Big 10″
1) Kata Otoshi — shoulder drop
2) Kubi Guruma — neck wheel
3) Ude Guruma — arm wheel
4) Hiji Guruma — elbow wheel
5) Irimi Nage — fitting in throw
6) Shiho Nage — four corner throw
7) Ushiro Ate — behind (from the rear) strike
8) Kote Gaeshi — wrist turn
9) Ushiro Kubi Gatame — neck hold from behind (the rear)
10) Shizumi Otoshi — sinking body drop