by Angel Castillo, Stillness in Movement Blog Tai Chi is Not Just for the Senior Center Next March, Windsong Dojo will host a two-day workshop on Chen-style Taijiquan (tai chi), led by Ryan Craig, head instructor and founder of Philly Chen Taiji in Philadelphia, PA. While this will be a great opportunity for existing tai chi enthusiasts…
Ju No Kata (forms of gentleness) as taught by Patrick Parker Sensei, head instructor at Mokuren Dojo. Footage from seminar at Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City on September 20-21, 2012. Parker Sensei discussed and explored the connections between Kano’s Ju-no-kata and Tomiki’s “separated Judo” (Aikido). Parker Sensei’s notes on Ju no Kata are below, as well…
Introduction to Release Chains Release chain series was put together by Karl Geis from the toshu randori drills. These are based on the concept of renzoku, which focuses on smooth transitions between one technique and the next if the first technique fails. Over the years, these have been refined into the most useful techniques that…
by Kitty Sullivan Learn to use gravity and structure to assist with effective aikido kuzushi / off-balance As long as you are not floating around in space, you are probably attached to a very large spherical body. Therefore you are fortunate enough to utilize its very own gravity when being attacked by another human. Getting…
The dojo is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but you can still practice with these aikido, judo, and jodo exercises that can be done without a partner.
Jim Ellison (from Spiritual Gravity blog) The second move in “The 17” is called aigamaeate. It roughly translates to forward posture strike. Aigamaeate is part of the atemi waza, or striking techniques. In this technique, tori’s objective is to first perform a balance break. The attacker’s arm moves up, as tori does a hand switch…
Jim Ellison (from Spiritual Gravity blog) Ju Nana Hon Kata – also known as “The 17” is one of the first katas we learn in our aikido curriculum. This video series will demonstrate each of the moves in ‘The 17’, the way they are taught in our dojo. Please note that these techniques involve some…
Jim Ellison (Spiritual Gravity blog) I began practicing aikido in 1979, at the age of 33, and have been teaching it since the mid-1980s. Our dojo teaches a Tomiki style of aikido and is part of the Kaze Uta Budo Kai organization. I recently turned 70, and continue to teach classes a few times a…
Jim Ellison When I first stumbled onto aikido in 1979, I was looking for little more than a way to keep in shape and possibly learn a few self-defense moves. One of my students recently asked me why I’m still practicing…wouldn’t I be bored with aikido by this point? This question got me to thinking…
Jim Ellison (original post from Spiritual Gravity blog) In our dojo, we have four levels between white and black belts: yonkyu (green belt), sankyu (brown belt), nikyu (brown belt), and ikkyu (brown belt with black stripe). While these are still considered beginner ranks, students in this range have been exposed to the basic principles of…