4th-kyu Test Training

Test training has started in earnest. This time around I'll be going for 4th kyu, the last white belt ranking. This'll put me six months away from my brown belt test. That will be a nice day.

One thing I'd like to work on during training and be evident on my test is greater balance and sense of uke's balance. I often lose my balance after a throw or when bringing uke down for a pin. This is obviously a lack of balance, and needs to be rectified sooner rather than later.

Painless Hiji-ate

In this week's early morning class, we've been working on hiji-ate, a throw using pressure on the uke's elbow and shoulder to propel them forward. Before this week, I didn't like this technique as I felt it was using pain to induce the uke to move. However, it turns out there is a "painless" way to do this throw.

Before the throw, apply a little pressure into the shoulder with the hand holding the wrist, with the uke's elbow in the crook of shite's elbow. Then move the knee and hips forward to get the uke to start moving. When the uke starts moving, follow with the legs, either stepping or shuffling. Finally, near the end of the movement, snap your arm so the elbow accelerates the uke forward and down. When rotating the arm, be sure to rotate the elbow into your center, resulting in the uke being thrown not parallel to your movement, but instead across your center.

Doing this correctly results in not so much pressure on the uke's elbow, but a greater movement of the uke's balance into your center. Now to turn this theory into practice.

Osu!

Well timed break

I know missing a day of training is a frowned upon in budo, and to miss a day of the 10-day Aikido-a-thon that is Shochugeiko is even more of a faux pas, but I must say that skipping class yesterday was really good for me.

I've been getting battered from a couple different angles, monotonous work, daily training in the summer heat, and finally my bike getting stolen, so I took yesterday off from both training and played hooky from work to complete unwind and chill at home. I took the opportunity to do some light house work, watch a few shows I've downloaded, do some reading at a coffee shop, etc.

And getting up this morning, I could really feel a difference, not so much physically, but mentally. My outlook was fresher and more optimistic, and at the dojo, I felt faster, smoother and not so tense. I still found difficulties to work through, but I was ready to apply myself fully.

There's one more Shochugeiko class tomorrow morning, and after a Friday and Saturday evening classes, the dojo's closed for a week. After the vacation, I start test training for 4th-kyu, the last white belt rank. Bring it on!

Osu!

Am I getting worse?

It seems that no matter what your level of Aikido is, maintaining focus is paramount. During training, you can't allow your mind to be elsewhere, otherwise it becomes quite obvious, to the uke, to the Sensei, and most importantly, to yourself.

Today, I was merely making my way through the techniques. Instead of concentrating on my movements, my mind was unfocused, as were my techniques. There is a part of me focusing on the technique and working on doing it right, but I just feel that my Aikido edge is a little blunt right now. I'm not thinking about using my hips, or staying in kamae, or the other hundred details that can and should be concentrated on while training.

I've heard other people talk about Aikido improving in spirals, where there are times they feel their movements are crisp and their techniques are strong; and then there are times when they feel slow and weak. I think I'm at a weak point now. But like a baseball player working through a slump, I just have to keep at it, and eventually I'll hit my stride again.