Today I went to Heart Aikido in San Francisco. It is at 2565 3rd street. I got there from the Marina area by bus 22 In about 40 minutes. I got off at 3rd and 20th street. The aikido experience was very pleasant. The second I got to the door I was welcomed by Sensei Alex. Sensei Alex is not the head sensei but he ran the class tonight. Sensei Alex was extremely welcoming. I would love to come hear again. Within the first five minutes on the mat two of the black belts came over and introduced themselves. They were both very friendly. It was clear to me that both of them were just very good people.
Sensei Alex's class was excellent. He was friendly and focused. He would joke with his students but had a very harmonious aikido. He flowed very well. Sensei Alex is the first Sensei I have ever been to where the sensei spoke with the students during warm up. I don't mean conversation like "fix this ___" or "fix that ____". He was asking people how there summer had been. He asked his students questions about their lives. His questions clearly showed he cared and that he personally knew each of his students. During Aikido training Sensei Alex shows a great balance between focus, patience, and reinforcement. His personality and attitude alone is enough to make his class a joy. Sensei Alex's Aikido was flowing with calm and patience. I had a few opportunities to train with him and really enjoyed experiencing his Aikido
This Dojo was a joy to train at.
Here is a link to their website if you want to check them out:
Heart Aikido
Showing posts with label Aikido. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aikido. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Training with Suganuma Sensei
Today I had the opportunity to train in Fukuaka city. The class was lead by Suganuma Sensei. Suganuma was the last student to be an Uchi Gaeshi for O'sensei. I will give a little background. O'sensei is the person that created the art of Aikido. O'sensei's name is Morihei Ueshiba. O'sensei died in 1963. An Uchi Gaeshi is a student that lives inside the dojo. The student trains much of the day. When they are not training they are doing whatever the sensei asks of them (often cleaning, running chores, etc). So Suganuma Sensei was the very last student to be an Uchi Gaeshi (live in student) for O'sensei. Suganuma is very well respected in the world of Aikido.
The training today was excellent. I was brought to this dojo by a friend of the hostel receptionist. I had spoke with the receptionist yesterday about Aikido. He called his friend and his friend picked me up this morning. We then went to Aikido together. When I entered the dojo all of the students looked toward me and bowed at me. This is a way of welcoming me to the dojo. I felt very welcomed. At the same time it was a little bit intimidating having everyone in the dojo bow toward me (there was about 20 students). This is the only Aikido dojo I have ever been to that while we were doing stretches (the first 15 minutes of class) all students stretch the left side at the same time and the right side at the same time. In most Aikido dojos we all do the same stretches but which side you do is not relevant. In this dojo it mattered. I know this because I got corrected. This shows the intensity and structure of the training at this dojo.
The training itself was excellent. It was very fast paced. This is the most fast paced training I have done. After we did a technique the sensei would quickly say "HI!" then immediately start modeling the next technique. He did not wait for the students to take position. He also only did the technique 4 times. Then we bowed to a partner and trained. There was no talking on his part when he showed the technique.
When it was time for me to leave the dojo I went to bow out and once again every student in the dojo (about 20 students) turned toward me and bowed. I felt honored but a little embarrassed by the attention. I didn't do anything to deserve this. I guess this is how they treat guests at their dojo. It made me feel very welcome.
When I got down to the changing room I decided that I wanted to give Suganuma Sensei a postcard from my hometown. In Japan, gift giving is a very big deal. It is much more common than in the states. I thought this would be a good way to show my appreciation. I wrote on the back "Thank you for letting me train. I enjoyed it very much. -Izmael Arkin"
He did not speak any English but I knew that someone there could translate it for him. I went up and bowed to him and handed him the postcard. I think that he appreciated it.
The training today was excellent. I was brought to this dojo by a friend of the hostel receptionist. I had spoke with the receptionist yesterday about Aikido. He called his friend and his friend picked me up this morning. We then went to Aikido together. When I entered the dojo all of the students looked toward me and bowed at me. This is a way of welcoming me to the dojo. I felt very welcomed. At the same time it was a little bit intimidating having everyone in the dojo bow toward me (there was about 20 students). This is the only Aikido dojo I have ever been to that while we were doing stretches (the first 15 minutes of class) all students stretch the left side at the same time and the right side at the same time. In most Aikido dojos we all do the same stretches but which side you do is not relevant. In this dojo it mattered. I know this because I got corrected. This shows the intensity and structure of the training at this dojo.
The training itself was excellent. It was very fast paced. This is the most fast paced training I have done. After we did a technique the sensei would quickly say "HI!" then immediately start modeling the next technique. He did not wait for the students to take position. He also only did the technique 4 times. Then we bowed to a partner and trained. There was no talking on his part when he showed the technique.
When it was time for me to leave the dojo I went to bow out and once again every student in the dojo (about 20 students) turned toward me and bowed. I felt honored but a little embarrassed by the attention. I didn't do anything to deserve this. I guess this is how they treat guests at their dojo. It made me feel very welcome.
When I got down to the changing room I decided that I wanted to give Suganuma Sensei a postcard from my hometown. In Japan, gift giving is a very big deal. It is much more common than in the states. I thought this would be a good way to show my appreciation. I wrote on the back "Thank you for letting me train. I enjoyed it very much. -Izmael Arkin"
He did not speak any English but I knew that someone there could translate it for him. I went up and bowed to him and handed him the postcard. I think that he appreciated it.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Training in Takayama
This post is coming a little bit late. On July 13th I trained in Takayama. I found out about the dojo from receptionist at the hostel. According to the website the training went from 1:00 to 2:30. I got there a little bit before 1. There was another person there that was waiting. She spoke English. She was actually from San Francisco and had just started training a few months ago. She was visiting Japan because her family lived here. She was fluent in both Japanese and English.
1:00 came and nobody showed up. But we decided to stay for a little bit. Around 1:10 the sensei showed up. He was an older man. I was not able to get his name. He was probably in his late 70's or early 80's. Pretty soon another 4 students showed up. This was a very small class.
The training was pretty laid back. I was assigned to work with an older man (probably in his 60's). He was good to work with. He did not speak any English. I don't speak any Japanese. But this didn't stop him from communicating with me in Japanese. It was kind of funny. We would do the technique and he would speak to me like I was fluent in Japanese. I would nod my head and watch his gestures to understand what he was saying. He basically showed me if I was doing the technique correctly through grunting and thumbs up.
The training at this dojo was slow paced. The sensei would show the technique and then comment about it. Then we would do the technique for a little bit. Then we would all go back to the line and with our partner we would go do the technique 4 times while everyone else watched. During this time the sensei would make any necessary corrections. It was interesting to train like this. My issue with it is that it slowed down the training a lot.
This dojo was good to train at because it was a different experience.
1:00 came and nobody showed up. But we decided to stay for a little bit. Around 1:10 the sensei showed up. He was an older man. I was not able to get his name. He was probably in his late 70's or early 80's. Pretty soon another 4 students showed up. This was a very small class.
The training was pretty laid back. I was assigned to work with an older man (probably in his 60's). He was good to work with. He did not speak any English. I don't speak any Japanese. But this didn't stop him from communicating with me in Japanese. It was kind of funny. We would do the technique and he would speak to me like I was fluent in Japanese. I would nod my head and watch his gestures to understand what he was saying. He basically showed me if I was doing the technique correctly through grunting and thumbs up.
The training at this dojo was slow paced. The sensei would show the technique and then comment about it. Then we would do the technique for a little bit. Then we would all go back to the line and with our partner we would go do the technique 4 times while everyone else watched. During this time the sensei would make any necessary corrections. It was interesting to train like this. My issue with it is that it slowed down the training a lot.
This dojo was good to train at because it was a different experience.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Training Day 3
Today I went into train in the morning at Hombo Dojo. Today I was the most comfortable. I had two days of training under my belt and I understood the expectations and how things work. Everyone trains very hard and is focused. My body also felt very strong today after having the two days of training under my belt. It is interesting because I truly feel that Sensei and City Aikido has done a wonderful job training me because I did not see any techniques where I thought “what is that?”. Every technique I saw I felt very comfortable with. Of course, there were differences in how I have seeing it at City Aikido but I was able to make the adjustments to show the proper respect to the sensei and do the technique as he did. Initially on my first day I felt intimidated when I first walked into the dojo but by today I felt comfortable and realized that I was able to comfortably train. This is due to the training I have received from Nishida Sensei and everyone at City Aikido.
Most of the students there are blackbelts. But this does not necessarily mean that most of them are extremely experienced since the expectations are very different in Japan then they are in the states. Based on the amount of training days in Japan to move to the next level once can definitely become a blackbelt in one year if they are dedicated. Even if one is not extremely dedicated they can do it within three years. In the United States this just is not possible with our requirements to advance. But in Japan a blackbelt is viewed very differently. To give an example, Mr. Furukawa (a native of Tokyo and new friend of mine) was shocked that I was not a blackbelt when I told him I had been training for 2 years. I smiled and said “My Sensei expects perfection”.
One of the things I have thoroughly enjoyed about Hombo Dojo is that there Is such a clear focus on the training via practicing of the technique. Today, the sensei would do the technique 4 times (no more no less) and say nothing and then we would do the technique. Then while we trained he went around the room and did the technique to the students. This gave us all an opportunity to feel the technique. We do each technique for anywhere between 5 to 8 minutes. But when all we are doing is training with very little talking this really provides a great opportunity to feel out the technique and try various things.
I am heading to Takayama today and hope to find dojo there to train.
Most of the students there are blackbelts. But this does not necessarily mean that most of them are extremely experienced since the expectations are very different in Japan then they are in the states. Based on the amount of training days in Japan to move to the next level once can definitely become a blackbelt in one year if they are dedicated. Even if one is not extremely dedicated they can do it within three years. In the United States this just is not possible with our requirements to advance. But in Japan a blackbelt is viewed very differently. To give an example, Mr. Furukawa (a native of Tokyo and new friend of mine) was shocked that I was not a blackbelt when I told him I had been training for 2 years. I smiled and said “My Sensei expects perfection”.
One of the things I have thoroughly enjoyed about Hombo Dojo is that there Is such a clear focus on the training via practicing of the technique. Today, the sensei would do the technique 4 times (no more no less) and say nothing and then we would do the technique. Then while we trained he went around the room and did the technique to the students. This gave us all an opportunity to feel the technique. We do each technique for anywhere between 5 to 8 minutes. But when all we are doing is training with very little talking this really provides a great opportunity to feel out the technique and try various things.
I am heading to Takayama today and hope to find dojo there to train.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Training Day 2
So here I am sitting in my room in one of the most famous cities in the world (Tokyo) and I cannot get myself to move because I am in pain. I woke up early this morning so i could get to the dojo at 8:00 to train for a little bit. It was awesome. I was a little bit sore but wanted to take advantage of another training session that was at 4. Let's just say this second training session pretty much dissolved me of all my previous sins (as I have now served my punishment). This training session kicked my ass. The class was super efficient and my partner moved at lightning speed. He tired me out so much. He was throwing me up and down and around on the ground, in the air, everywhere. But he did all of this with a huge smile and much laughter. He was constantly playing with the technique. I have never had my ass kicked so hard and had so much fun having it happen. This guy had me slamming into the mat and laughing while it was happening. He was making all sorts of sounds with his movements. Then he encouraged me to make the sounds and this made me laugh but I also enjoyed it. While i was there I didn't realize how sore I would be because my adrenaline was rushing. But then I got back to my hostel and now I sit here with a mental desire to move and physical desire to do nothing.
Every sensei is unique and very different. Normally for the first 10 or 15 minutes of a class the Sensei will do a warm up. During the second class today all we did for a warm up was 5 minutes of different breathing exercises. As soon as i saw that I knew this class was going to be different. The sensei was probably in his late 70s or early 80s. When he did the techniques he had incredible strength yet he seemed to put no effort forth. Before he got on the mat he walked very slowly like he was old. But then when he stepped on the mat all that was erased. It was crazy. It felt like it was out of a movie.
Everyone I have trained with is very nice. I still have opted to not yell at one of the Yudansha (I think Dennis was wrong).
I love training because it goes beyone language. There are people in this dojo from all around the world and we are all there with the same purpose... To further develop our Aikido. I don't speak any japanese but while I'm training this does not matter. The movements are shown through physical movements not the mouth therefore the lack of language does not hinder our ability to communicate (well maybe it does a little... but not a lot)
Every sensei is unique and very different. Normally for the first 10 or 15 minutes of a class the Sensei will do a warm up. During the second class today all we did for a warm up was 5 minutes of different breathing exercises. As soon as i saw that I knew this class was going to be different. The sensei was probably in his late 70s or early 80s. When he did the techniques he had incredible strength yet he seemed to put no effort forth. Before he got on the mat he walked very slowly like he was old. But then when he stepped on the mat all that was erased. It was crazy. It felt like it was out of a movie.
Everyone I have trained with is very nice. I still have opted to not yell at one of the Yudansha (I think Dennis was wrong).
I love training because it goes beyone language. There are people in this dojo from all around the world and we are all there with the same purpose... To further develop our Aikido. I don't speak any japanese but while I'm training this does not matter. The movements are shown through physical movements not the mouth therefore the lack of language does not hinder our ability to communicate (well maybe it does a little... but not a lot)
Friday, July 9, 2010
Day 1 of training
So today was my first day at Hombo Dojo(this is where i can train for Aikido). They have classes 5 times a day. There classes are exactly an hour long. I went to 2 classes today and I am exhausted. They use the hour very efficiently. Once we begin training we only stop very briefly to see the next technique. The way it was run reminded me of New York Aikai. The training was great. The majority of the individuals there are black belts which initially felt intimidating but did not end up being a big deal. I also remember hearing from many people that in Japan a black belt is not near as difficult to get as it is in the states.
The first thing I want to comment on is the mats on which we train on. If I were an optimist I would say that the mats feel like "soft wood". If I were a pessimist or a realist I would state that the mats feel like wood with a light layer of cloth surrounding them. Taking break falls on this, rolling on this and sitting in seiza is definitely different to say the least. The class is fast paced. One major difference is that you pretty much keep the same partner for the entirety of the class. The pace is fast moving and there is very little talking during training. The classes are very large but there is enough room to train comfortably. I didn't take a count but there had to be around 35 to 40 people there (if not more). I am very sore now but look forward to going back tomorrow.
I decided against the reccomendations of my friend Dennis. Dennis reccomended that I tense up alot, shove a yudansha and then laugh about it. I used my better judgement and decided that Dennis may in fact be wrong...
Regardless training at Hombo Dojo was an awesome experience and I was shocked how smooth, strong, and without pain the techniques of the instructors were. During the class after they show each technique the instructors would do the technique to students so they could feel it. I was shocked how strong the technique felt yet I didn't feel any pain. It was quite eye opening.
The first thing I want to comment on is the mats on which we train on. If I were an optimist I would say that the mats feel like "soft wood". If I were a pessimist or a realist I would state that the mats feel like wood with a light layer of cloth surrounding them. Taking break falls on this, rolling on this and sitting in seiza is definitely different to say the least. The class is fast paced. One major difference is that you pretty much keep the same partner for the entirety of the class. The pace is fast moving and there is very little talking during training. The classes are very large but there is enough room to train comfortably. I didn't take a count but there had to be around 35 to 40 people there (if not more). I am very sore now but look forward to going back tomorrow.
I decided against the reccomendations of my friend Dennis. Dennis reccomended that I tense up alot, shove a yudansha and then laugh about it. I used my better judgement and decided that Dennis may in fact be wrong...
Regardless training at Hombo Dojo was an awesome experience and I was shocked how smooth, strong, and without pain the techniques of the instructors were. During the class after they show each technique the instructors would do the technique to students so they could feel it. I was shocked how strong the technique felt yet I didn't feel any pain. It was quite eye opening.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Finding Hombo Dojo
So I woke up this morning around 7 am which is perfect because it gave me about 9 hours of sleep. I got up and organized myself and then went down to the lobby to find out where Hombo Dojo is. Hombo dojo is the most famous Aikido dojo in the world. It is basically the central location of all Aikido. I would Akin it to the White House of the Aikido World.
I had read in my guide how people in Tokyo don't like to say they don't know where something is so it is always best to ask multiple people how to find a location. this definitley was proven true this morning. Last night I had asked the woman at the counter (her name was Marie and was very nice) how to get to hombo dojo. I showed her a map and gave her the address. I then pulled out another map. She very confidentely explained to me how i could do it. She said it would be about 30 to 40 minutes walking maybe 10 to 15 minutes by public transportation. I decided that I was going to walk it because it gives me a better feel for the city. This morning when i woke up i asked the new person at the counter and he gave me way different directions. Marie had me going in a similar direction except approximately 3 times the distance further. I decided I was going to go with this guys decision simply because his distance was shorter. Well after searching for approximately an hour and a half I finally found the dojo. This is the funny part. His directions were perfect! But Tokyo is confusing. Elibear, this place is definitley not on a grid. It is funny because every person here I show the map too has a difficult time finding where we even are on the map.
It gets better. Hombo Dojo is actually super easy to find. Now, that I know where it is I will easily get there in under 10 minutes from hostel which means I will be training atleast today and tomorrow and possibly Sunday if i can wash my gi on Saturday.
I also find it humorous that had I followed Marie's directions to get to Hombo Dojo I would have probably gotten lost along the way and it wasn't anywhere remotely close to the actual dojo location.
I like travelling around and trying to find things.
I had read in my guide how people in Tokyo don't like to say they don't know where something is so it is always best to ask multiple people how to find a location. this definitley was proven true this morning. Last night I had asked the woman at the counter (her name was Marie and was very nice) how to get to hombo dojo. I showed her a map and gave her the address. I then pulled out another map. She very confidentely explained to me how i could do it. She said it would be about 30 to 40 minutes walking maybe 10 to 15 minutes by public transportation. I decided that I was going to walk it because it gives me a better feel for the city. This morning when i woke up i asked the new person at the counter and he gave me way different directions. Marie had me going in a similar direction except approximately 3 times the distance further. I decided I was going to go with this guys decision simply because his distance was shorter. Well after searching for approximately an hour and a half I finally found the dojo. This is the funny part. His directions were perfect! But Tokyo is confusing. Elibear, this place is definitley not on a grid. It is funny because every person here I show the map too has a difficult time finding where we even are on the map.
It gets better. Hombo Dojo is actually super easy to find. Now, that I know where it is I will easily get there in under 10 minutes from hostel which means I will be training atleast today and tomorrow and possibly Sunday if i can wash my gi on Saturday.
I also find it humorous that had I followed Marie's directions to get to Hombo Dojo I would have probably gotten lost along the way and it wasn't anywhere remotely close to the actual dojo location.
I like travelling around and trying to find things.
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