John, Justin, and Jeff had a great time at practice today.
Aikido Club Practice is also next week on Tuesday, Dec. 28th 3-5 PM and
Thursday, Dec. 30th 3-5 PM, both in PE221. Stop eating that chocolate and
bring your bokken and jo as we're running through everybody's Kyu test requirements.
Happy Holidays!
Aikido Club at UVU is a great way for students to experience the art of Aikido. Aikido is derived from the samurai arts through a branch of aiki-jujitsu. Though it is a martial art, it was created as a way to foster peaceful conflict resolution. Aikido teaches how to use various forms of passive resistance and joint locks to provide an attacker with opportunities to reconsider his actions. Come learn with us.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Aikido Club Practice During the Holidays
There will be an informal club practice today Dec. 21st 4-5:30 PM in PE221 and on Thursday Dec. 23rd, 9-11 AM same place.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Weapons Day, Thurs. Dec. 2nd, Bokken
Sensei says weapons day tomorrow, Thurs., Dec. 2nd
4 PM, Dojo, PE221, Bokken
See you there.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Memoirs of a Grasshopper
Sensei recommended this article as a good read:
http://memoirsofagrasshopper.blogspot.com/2009/01/each-technique-concentrate.html
http://memoirsofagrasshopper.blogspot.com/2009/01/each-technique-concentrate.html
Thursday, October 7, 2010
e-Bogu sale 10% off
e-bogu.com is moving their store location.
" Great savings during our Moving sale. Everything on our web site is 10% off! Use the coupon code "MOVSLE10". Goto www.e-bogu.com "
The "Top quality BUTOKU Brand HiDriTex Aikido Uniform Set" is $57 - the 10% + s/h.
I've really enjoyed this gi. Get one size bigger than they suggest IMHO. I'd avoid very inexpensive gi 's. A quality gi will last and feel right.
http://www.e-bogu.com/Aikido_Gi_s/205.htm
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Aikido Party, Fri, 9/24 @ 4 PM
Aikido Club Party this Friday, 9/24 @ 4 PM.
We'll dine on homemade sushi (no raw fish) and watch
Red Sun starring Charles Bronson.
Warning: we have friendly 2 dogs, 1 cat.
You can walk to the party from campus: From the CS building, head East
through the parking lot. Cross through cross walk. Don't get run over.
Stay on the sidewalk on the south side of the road.
After the first light post, turn right. Cut through neighbor's back yard.
Leave the peaches alone Robert. Walk straight down the road. Veer left.
Gray brick house with red truck. 457 Palos Verdes Dr.
Bow to Buddha. Ring doorbell. Jeff 801-494-4793 if you get lost.
We'll dine on homemade sushi (no raw fish) and watch
Red Sun starring Charles Bronson.
Warning: we have friendly 2 dogs, 1 cat.
You can walk to the party from campus: From the CS building, head East
through the parking lot. Cross through cross walk. Don't get run over.
Stay on the sidewalk on the south side of the road.
After the first light post, turn right. Cut through neighbor's back yard.
Leave the peaches alone Robert. Walk straight down the road. Veer left.
Gray brick house with red truck. 457 Palos Verdes Dr.
Bow to Buddha. Ring doorbell. Jeff 801-494-4793 if you get lost.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Samurai Jaw-Dropper!
So my wife and I found a pretty cool TV show called "Stan Lee's Superhumans." Basically, it's a show where the host is sent around the world looking for people that can do really incredible things. Well, last night's episode blew my mind! They found a "modern samurai" and had him on the show. His name is Isao Machii. Not an aikido practitioner, but this video is AMAZING all the same. In this clip he actually slices a BB as it's shot at him from a gun with his katana. I couldn't get over this last night! I just kept wondering how the heck a person can be that precise and that quick. Anyway, prepare for you mind to be blown and enjoy the clip! Just follow the link!
http://www.history.com/shows/stan-lees-superhumans/videos/playlists/superhuman-bios#super-samurai
http://www.history.com/shows/stan-lees-superhumans/videos/playlists/superhuman-bios#super-samurai
Friday, September 10, 2010
New Videos
Hey all! I just wanted to make you aware of the National Geographic videos that I posted on the blog. Very cool! Click the link on the sidebar to the right on the blog to check them out!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Top 10 Things Not to Stress About in Martial Arts
Hey everyone! Sensei recommended that I post this article from ikigaiway.com, so I have done so below. It's a really good article. I would have loved to have seen this article when I first started Aikido. I hope you enjoy it. I really did! It has a lot of good points and it's also an entertaining read. Enjoy!
October 15, 2008 Author: Matthew
Here is something I say with confidence – martial arts can be unnerving! It’s not all butt kicking and black belts, after all. While I’m no master, I HAVE experienced (and seen others experience) a few common concerns that seem to crop up during martial arts training. Have a read through these top 10 stressors, and hopefully, I can help you shrug a little weight off your shoulders.
Don’t Stress About…
10. Learning Super Quickly
This first one is more common than you might think. There are always a few individuals who can pick up kata or technique very quickly. While that’s fortunate for them, it can leave a residue of anxiety in other students. People who have an ingrained self consciousness about their own progress will pay special attention to students who pick things up quickly, allowing themselves to feel discouraged when they can’t do the same.
I think we all suffer from this at one point or another. It’s just like in Karate Kid:
“Daniel: Hey – you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh – plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn’t like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
Daniel: Yeah, but you knew karate.
Miyagi: Someone always know more.”
What a great movie. And it also helps prove my point – no matter how awesome you are, there is always someone better. So, with that inevitability in mind, just focus on your own personal progress and forget the comparisons!
Final thought about #10: karate is a lifelong endeavor. If you stay in the martial arts while others come and go, I guarantee you’ll make it to the head of the class.
9. Keeping Up With the Joneses
This is connected to #10. In keeping up with the Joneses, which of course means trying to outdo your “neighbor”, trying to learn a lot quickly can cause even more stress. You’ll see kids do this a lot:
Kid A (the jerk): “Hey, do you know kata ____ yet?
Kid B: “No. Why?”
Kid A: “Ohh, cause I do. Snicker.”
Annoying when kids do it, but forgivable. Extremely annoying when adults do it. And they do do it. If this happens to you, try to let it roll off your shoulders and remember the long term benefits of training.
If you’re the one prodding at your classmates…knock it off.
This same concept applies to physical possessions as well. Weapons, uniforms, books, dvds…that whole business gets rapped into the martial arts very easily. Don’t feel compelled to spend money because everyone else does.
8. Looking Stupid
You’re gonna look and feel stupid from time to time. Keep asking questions and participating. Seriously. This is the best way to learn, hands down.
7. Gi Flair
As far as I am concerned, there is no good reason for your uniform to look like the flair guy’s getup from OfficeSpace.
Patches...buttons...it's all flair.
I understand some patches, but things can get a little out of hand. If you find yourself creating a patchwork out of you or your child’s gi, just take a step back. Remember, all of these external distractions can take away from the internal goals of the martial arts. Let your personality and ability make you stand out, not eye catching gi accessories.
6. DEADLINESS
Have you seen Kill Bill? Do you remember the five point palm exploding heart technique? That was pretty cool. Unfortunately, some people can get overly caught up in that razzle dazzle when pursuing the martial arts.
Kyusho, or vital point striking, is experiencing a bit of a boom in popularity. When done correctly, the results can be very deadly indeed. This has led a lot of people to worry about the deadliness of whatever technique they are practicing. So much so, in fact, that some students try to learn vital point strikes off of video tapes or from snake-oil instructors who claim to have mastered them.
Don’t get too caught up in this hype. The truth is, most karate styles have kyusho integrated into them already. The trick to unlocking the techniques is a matter of becoming an expert at fundamentals. As Sensei Bill Hayes says, become “brilliant at the basics.” After that is achieved, kyusho can slowly start to seep its way into your training. Don’t rush this one.
5. Trophy Count
This Can Be Yours if The Price is Right!
Time + money = a ton of trophies. Yes, it helps if you’re good, but its not a mandatory prerequisite. There are so many tournaments with so many divisions that sometimes you’ll be lucky to get three people in your division.
If you want to, acquire a couple of trophies to prove to yourself that you can do it. After that, put that money and mental focus to better use.
October 15, 2008 Author: Matthew
Here is something I say with confidence – martial arts can be unnerving! It’s not all butt kicking and black belts, after all. While I’m no master, I HAVE experienced (and seen others experience) a few common concerns that seem to crop up during martial arts training. Have a read through these top 10 stressors, and hopefully, I can help you shrug a little weight off your shoulders.
Don’t Stress About…
10. Learning Super Quickly
This first one is more common than you might think. There are always a few individuals who can pick up kata or technique very quickly. While that’s fortunate for them, it can leave a residue of anxiety in other students. People who have an ingrained self consciousness about their own progress will pay special attention to students who pick things up quickly, allowing themselves to feel discouraged when they can’t do the same.
I think we all suffer from this at one point or another. It’s just like in Karate Kid:
“Daniel: Hey – you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh – plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn’t like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
Daniel: Yeah, but you knew karate.
Miyagi: Someone always know more.”
What a great movie. And it also helps prove my point – no matter how awesome you are, there is always someone better. So, with that inevitability in mind, just focus on your own personal progress and forget the comparisons!
Final thought about #10: karate is a lifelong endeavor. If you stay in the martial arts while others come and go, I guarantee you’ll make it to the head of the class.
9. Keeping Up With the Joneses
This is connected to #10. In keeping up with the Joneses, which of course means trying to outdo your “neighbor”, trying to learn a lot quickly can cause even more stress. You’ll see kids do this a lot:
Kid A (the jerk): “Hey, do you know kata ____ yet?
Kid B: “No. Why?”
Kid A: “Ohh, cause I do. Snicker.”
Annoying when kids do it, but forgivable. Extremely annoying when adults do it. And they do do it. If this happens to you, try to let it roll off your shoulders and remember the long term benefits of training.
If you’re the one prodding at your classmates…knock it off.
This same concept applies to physical possessions as well. Weapons, uniforms, books, dvds…that whole business gets rapped into the martial arts very easily. Don’t feel compelled to spend money because everyone else does.
8. Looking Stupid
You’re gonna look and feel stupid from time to time. Keep asking questions and participating. Seriously. This is the best way to learn, hands down.
7. Gi Flair
As far as I am concerned, there is no good reason for your uniform to look like the flair guy’s getup from OfficeSpace.
Patches...buttons...it's all flair.
I understand some patches, but things can get a little out of hand. If you find yourself creating a patchwork out of you or your child’s gi, just take a step back. Remember, all of these external distractions can take away from the internal goals of the martial arts. Let your personality and ability make you stand out, not eye catching gi accessories.
6. DEADLINESS
Have you seen Kill Bill? Do you remember the five point palm exploding heart technique? That was pretty cool. Unfortunately, some people can get overly caught up in that razzle dazzle when pursuing the martial arts.
Kyusho, or vital point striking, is experiencing a bit of a boom in popularity. When done correctly, the results can be very deadly indeed. This has led a lot of people to worry about the deadliness of whatever technique they are practicing. So much so, in fact, that some students try to learn vital point strikes off of video tapes or from snake-oil instructors who claim to have mastered them.
Don’t get too caught up in this hype. The truth is, most karate styles have kyusho integrated into them already. The trick to unlocking the techniques is a matter of becoming an expert at fundamentals. As Sensei Bill Hayes says, become “brilliant at the basics.” After that is achieved, kyusho can slowly start to seep its way into your training. Don’t rush this one.
5. Trophy Count
This Can Be Yours if The Price is Right!
Time + money = a ton of trophies. Yes, it helps if you’re good, but its not a mandatory prerequisite. There are so many tournaments with so many divisions that sometimes you’ll be lucky to get three people in your division.
If you want to, acquire a couple of trophies to prove to yourself that you can do it. After that, put that money and mental focus to better use.
4. Kata Portfolio
This is one that yours-truly had to work on. For awhile, I was very concerned about my kata portfolio. I wanted to learn a whole lot of kata and I wanted to learn them all very well. Unfortunately, what I REALLY wanted was to have my cake and eat it to.
Take it from me, don’t worry about slowing yourself down to learn fewer kata. Much like #10, learning quickly, pacing your kata intake shouldn’t be perceived as a bad thing. This is especially true after black belt.
In many martial arts, there are certain requirements as you progress through kyu ranks. Once you hit black belt, you are “ready to begin learning”, and that means taking charge of your martial destiny. It’s easy to ride the kata train, going for higher and higher material. But, ultimately, it might leave all of your material a little soft.
3. Kata Flash-and-Dash
Can’t kick the ceiling? Can’t do a triple blackflip into a split with kiai? Don’t stress.
A lot of the acrobatics and physically impressive maneuvers you see today are not really part of traditional martial arts. In fact, it was extremely rare for the old Okinawan Karate Sensei to kick above their waist!
Listen to what your body can and can’t do, then try to make small improvements from there. Listening to the natural rhythym of your body will result in much better technique than trying to force Van Damme style kicks.
...maybe next year...
This is one that yours-truly had to work on. For awhile, I was very concerned about my kata portfolio. I wanted to learn a whole lot of kata and I wanted to learn them all very well. Unfortunately, what I REALLY wanted was to have my cake and eat it to.
Take it from me, don’t worry about slowing yourself down to learn fewer kata. Much like #10, learning quickly, pacing your kata intake shouldn’t be perceived as a bad thing. This is especially true after black belt.
In many martial arts, there are certain requirements as you progress through kyu ranks. Once you hit black belt, you are “ready to begin learning”, and that means taking charge of your martial destiny. It’s easy to ride the kata train, going for higher and higher material. But, ultimately, it might leave all of your material a little soft.
3. Kata Flash-and-Dash
Can’t kick the ceiling? Can’t do a triple blackflip into a split with kiai? Don’t stress.
A lot of the acrobatics and physically impressive maneuvers you see today are not really part of traditional martial arts. In fact, it was extremely rare for the old Okinawan Karate Sensei to kick above their waist!
Listen to what your body can and can’t do, then try to make small improvements from there. Listening to the natural rhythym of your body will result in much better technique than trying to force Van Damme style kicks.
...maybe next year...
2. Ass-Kicking Ability
Martial arts tend to have self defense at their core. Some styles are for aggressive fighting, while others are for flowing defense. But, ultimately, you should learn how to fight.
Where people tend to get tense is when they don’t see dramatic results immediately. This is especially true for traditional arts. Styles like boxing and MMA can show initial progress pretty quickly, which is nice. Unfortunately, old styles were designed for the long haul.
Traditional martial art basics can actually hinder your fighting ability for awhile. They make you mechanical, and force movements into your body that you aren’t used to. It isn’t until years of practice sink in that you can begin to feel those movements naturally. Once they start to become natural though, it’s a real treat.
1. Rank
This probably isn’t a huge surprise. “Rank” being at the top of this list is like Stairway to Heaven being at the top of “The Greatest Rock Songs” list (which it should be, because it is great).
Rank is very valuable, and very dangerous. It helps motivate us to achieve, and symbolizes skill and experience. Unfortunately, rank can also be a business. Stripes, colors, and titles are abound these days.
No matter how your school addresses rank, don’t feel driven by it, in and of itself. If you are a green belt, but have focused on improving your basics, your self defense, and your mindset, you’ll be on your way to achieving real results.
***
Navigating through these troubles, and a forest of others, is essential when pursuing the martial way.
I’ll meet you somewhere in the woods, and maybe we can give each other a hand
Martial arts tend to have self defense at their core. Some styles are for aggressive fighting, while others are for flowing defense. But, ultimately, you should learn how to fight.
Where people tend to get tense is when they don’t see dramatic results immediately. This is especially true for traditional arts. Styles like boxing and MMA can show initial progress pretty quickly, which is nice. Unfortunately, old styles were designed for the long haul.
Traditional martial art basics can actually hinder your fighting ability for awhile. They make you mechanical, and force movements into your body that you aren’t used to. It isn’t until years of practice sink in that you can begin to feel those movements naturally. Once they start to become natural though, it’s a real treat.
1. Rank
This probably isn’t a huge surprise. “Rank” being at the top of this list is like Stairway to Heaven being at the top of “The Greatest Rock Songs” list (which it should be, because it is great).
Rank is very valuable, and very dangerous. It helps motivate us to achieve, and symbolizes skill and experience. Unfortunately, rank can also be a business. Stripes, colors, and titles are abound these days.
No matter how your school addresses rank, don’t feel driven by it, in and of itself. If you are a green belt, but have focused on improving your basics, your self defense, and your mindset, you’ll be on your way to achieving real results.
***
Navigating through these troubles, and a forest of others, is essential when pursuing the martial way.
I’ll meet you somewhere in the woods, and maybe we can give each other a hand
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Welcome to a New Year!!
And so we begin yet another year together. Another year of "yes, this textbook IS required for this class." Another year of running out the front door to see your bus to school driving away. Yes, a wonderful new year to see all of the students looking sharp . . . at least for the first week of school. A new round of "so I have a C right now. What can I do to raise my grade?" A new game of chess between students and faculty as attempts to exploit loopholes in the syllabus become part of fighting for an A- instead of a B+. Yes, my friends: it's going to be a good year. Not only a good year in academia, but a good, new year to practice Aikido.
After having foot surgery and a recovery process, I for one am looking forward to the many opportunities there will be to give my Aikido a tune up. For those that are unaware, a testing opportunity will be available for those who are ready on September 2nd. A second opportunity will be available later in the semester. It's good to see that there is a solid group that is making some good progress.
Also, Club Rush is coming up next week. We will be needing people to help with that from 10am to 12pm from Tuesday-Thursday (August 31st-September 2nd). This opportunity not only gives us a chance to raise some funds for our club, but also gives us a great chance to show off our club to students passing by our table. I'm particularly anxious to see if we will be able to pull out one of our new mats to do some demos!!!
Again, welcome to a wonderful new year! I hope it is fun, productive, and harmonious for all of us!
After having foot surgery and a recovery process, I for one am looking forward to the many opportunities there will be to give my Aikido a tune up. For those that are unaware, a testing opportunity will be available for those who are ready on September 2nd. A second opportunity will be available later in the semester. It's good to see that there is a solid group that is making some good progress.
Also, Club Rush is coming up next week. We will be needing people to help with that from 10am to 12pm from Tuesday-Thursday (August 31st-September 2nd). This opportunity not only gives us a chance to raise some funds for our club, but also gives us a great chance to show off our club to students passing by our table. I'm particularly anxious to see if we will be able to pull out one of our new mats to do some demos!!!
Again, welcome to a wonderful new year! I hope it is fun, productive, and harmonious for all of us!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Aikido Club switches to start 4 PM this Tues.
The Aikido Club is switching to begin at 4 PM in PE221 beginning Tuesday, August 24 th.
Our normal school year schedule meets Tues/ Thurs 4-5:30 PM.
Our normal school year schedule meets Tues/ Thurs 4-5:30 PM.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Pending Kyu test Sep. 2nd
Sensei says there will be a Kyu test on Thursday, Sept. 2nd @ 4:00 PM in PES 221.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
uniform sale on some items
e-bogu.com has a clearance sale on some items. They're a little more expensive, but very good quality. See http://www.e-bogu.com/Aikido_s/225.htm I particularly like the HiDriTex gi.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Aikido Seminar, Logan, Aug. 13-15, 2010
Jyushinkan Dojo Annual Seminar will be held August 13-15, 2010 on the USU campus in Logan. Leading the seminar will be James Nakayama (6th Dan) from the AAA. He is very nice and very good. I will print the flyer for the dojo board.
See flyer here.
See flyer here.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
e-bogu sale on Aikido Gi
e-bogu.com stocks a HiDriTex Aikido gi I really like: $57 http://www.e-bogu.com/Aikido_Gi_s/205.htm Very good quality. Go with a a size larger than what they tell you on their sizing chart. Get 10% off your order with coupon EKC10 until Apr. 11.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Seminar with Steven Toyoda Sensei
Hey! Just a reminder that this weekend there will be a seminar in Salt Lake with instruction by Steven Toyoda Sensei, the current head of our association. Check out the "Club News" section of the blog (towards the top of the blog page) for details.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Welcome to a New Semester!
I hope everyone is settling into the new semester well. I'm excited for this one because we have a good possibility of reaching our goal to make enough money to get some mats! That and I'll be getting my AS degree this semester (FINALLY!). In any case, there will be many opportunities this semester to really get involved in the Aikido Club. We're finishing up Club Rush right now, we'll have Club Nights, we can do some Club Spotlights, and the Club All-Nighter is this semester, as well. Each of these events is an opportunity for our club to raise the needed funds for our mats. So, whenever you can, your help in those events would be greatly appreciated. If you want to get involved, talk to Sensei or myself to see how you can help.
We've had a good number of people visit our table during Club Rush, which has been great. To those we've spoken to: thank you for stopping by! We hope to see you on the mat!
I've been thinking about my Aikido experience (all two whopping years of it :)) and have reflected on what things have been helpful or not to me. Here are my thoughts:
1) Step onto the mat with an open mind. Some of you may have had training in other arts, which is awesome (I'm jealous!). Since Aikido is an art that is very different from most martial arts, it is important to focus on learning the new concepts that you will see and hear. Everything that you will learn has a place in the techniques found in Aikido.
2) Ask questions! You may be tempted to think you have to get it "right" the first time. Don't worry about that! NOBODY gets it "right" the first time. So, take your time, and ask questions.
3) Be there. It seems obvious, but it's probably the most important thing. In my experience, my technique is a lot more sloppy and needs to be "re-polished" when I haven't gone to club in a while. The more you're there, the better your Aikido will get.
4) Get involved. Being a part of the Aikido Club has been a lot more meaningful to me because I have tried to be involved. Coming to events (like Club Night, Club All-Nighter, etc.) will help us reach our clubs goals.
Good luck everyone in your classes! We hope to see you on the mat!
We've had a good number of people visit our table during Club Rush, which has been great. To those we've spoken to: thank you for stopping by! We hope to see you on the mat!
I've been thinking about my Aikido experience (all two whopping years of it :)) and have reflected on what things have been helpful or not to me. Here are my thoughts:
1) Step onto the mat with an open mind. Some of you may have had training in other arts, which is awesome (I'm jealous!). Since Aikido is an art that is very different from most martial arts, it is important to focus on learning the new concepts that you will see and hear. Everything that you will learn has a place in the techniques found in Aikido.
2) Ask questions! You may be tempted to think you have to get it "right" the first time. Don't worry about that! NOBODY gets it "right" the first time. So, take your time, and ask questions.
3) Be there. It seems obvious, but it's probably the most important thing. In my experience, my technique is a lot more sloppy and needs to be "re-polished" when I haven't gone to club in a while. The more you're there, the better your Aikido will get.
4) Get involved. Being a part of the Aikido Club has been a lot more meaningful to me because I have tried to be involved. Coming to events (like Club Night, Club All-Nighter, etc.) will help us reach our clubs goals.
Good luck everyone in your classes! We hope to see you on the mat!
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