The Value of Iaido Kata
Some of my Aikido guys questioned the value of iaido training. Specifically since it consists mostly of kata (forms) practice.
We didn’t even mention the fact that at a certain level most of the practice is suwariwaza (seated.)
I found this video on Youtube of an iaido old-timer, Haga Junichi.
The quality of posture and movement here is pretty evident.
At points in the video he reminds me of the kenjutsu expert from Kurosawa’s “7 Samurai”.
Toyama Ryu Utah Iaido Seminar
Saturday, August 6 – First Annual Toyama Ryu Utah Iaido Seminar
Sponsor: Toyama Ryu Iai Do USA—Utah Branch
If you’ve practiced with bokken, this seminar is a great opportunity to experience cutting with a live blade.
The $30 fee goes for tatami mats used in the cutting practice.
James Williams demonstrates tameshigiri.
Independence Day
“Without budo a nation goes to ruin, because budo is the life of loving protection.” -Morihei Ueshiba O’Sensei
D-Day American War Cemetary
Thursday last week, 4 days before Independence Day, there was a sign in the Orem park where we meet to train.
“Freedom is worth fighting for.”
Not a bad theme for our Aikido practice.
The 4th of July is a great time of year to spend time with family. People set off a lot of fireworks.
In all the celebrating take some time to reflect on the men and women that – past and present – that make our country and freedoms possible.
Higher Ground
“Higher Ground (HG) is a nationally recognized veteran rehabilitation program that combines sports, family and coping therapies to restore and rehabilitate men and women of the armed forces who have been severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“(HG) specializes in serving veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), polytrauma, blindness, and mental illness.
“(Also) visual impairments, amputations, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and hearing impairments.”
“I learned to do something new that I couldn’t do before my injury. I thought, WOW, if I can learn this, what else is out there for me?” -Jason Palmer, US Army
Seven Miracles That Saved America
by Chris and Ted Stewart
“Compelling evidence that the hand of Providence has indeed preserved the United States of America on multiple occasions.”
Credits: Photo of US Army Vet courtesy of Michael Richter. Photo of American War Cemetary courtesy of Fabrizio Turco.
Seichiro Endo Sensei
Seichiro Endo Sensei on Youtube. Video from the 42nd Zen Nippon Aikido demonstration in Tokyo.
“When I was 30 years old I dislocated my right shoulder. That event brought me to a turning point.
“Seigo Yamaguchi said to me, “You’ve been doing aikido for 10 years now, but now you have only your left arm to use, what are you going to do? . . . .
“I took the opportunity to turn my approach to aikido around 180 degrees.”
-Endo Sensei interview with Stanley Pranin
Way-Mastery Store has posted a series of Youtube videos from Endo Sensei’s “Kihon no Kata” DVD. This video is the 1st in the series.
Endo Sensei talks about his ongoing study of Aikido technique.
“You learn how to use your body through doing kata. . . .
“I am really reconsidering the way I do my kata.”
Check out the throw at 32 seconds.
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