Practice at Burlington Woods

11/13/91

Mark J. Norton

With the arrival of Ed Stauff at Avid, there is another person to practice Aikido with during work hours. Avid's office at Burlington Woods has a rather nice health club which includes an Aerobics room with padded floor. Since Avid is picking up the membership fees, Ed and I have decided to practice together at lunch time.

Today was our first practice session. Ed has studied for a few years at the Nashua Dojo, which is Tomiki style Aikido. I noticed several style differences during practice which consisted largely of Ryotetori techniques. He seems to expect that I will fall once the move is initiated. At several times, we go half way through the move, which he failed to complete. This might be attributed to an unwillingness to hurt a unfamiliar partner. Several of the techniques I showed him were completely new to him. These included Tenchinage, several Kokyunage throws, Sankyo, reverse Kotegaeshi, etc. His version of Shihonage was noticeably different in which he stepped forward at the throw and followed the uke down for a hold down, similar to Sekiya and Maruyama sensei's style. His regular Kotegaeshi included an abrupt pull up at the end, causing me a harder breakfall. On discussion, he indicated that this should make the fall easier. I suspect this is my problem. I should be able to make a full roll from his throw, but missed it. If I don't breakfall, Ed seems hesitant in following through.

Cleveland Brown stopped by while we were practicing and recognized our practice as Aikido. He practiced for a few years at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester. We invited him to join our practice next week.

The aerobics room has a carpeted suspended floor. I find it harder and rougher on the body in falls. The one or two hard falls I took hurt more than they should have. The carpet has a nasty way of abrading the skin, even under a gi. This is going to take some getting used to, but I think that this is a good thing. Falling on a harder surface should improve my ukemi. Next week I'll wear my hakama, which I opted against this week. This should provide some protection against the abrasion of the carpet.

We are going to try these practice sessions for a few weeks and then perhaps open it up as a class. I wouldn't mind a few more students around to practice with, but the room is somewhat small and will limit the number drastically (6-8 is the limit, I'd say). It has mirrors on two walls which are distracting both in image and as something to avoid crashing into.

Practice at Burlington Woods (cont)

11/20/91

Mark J. Norton

We had our second work out session at Burlington Woods Health Club today. Cleveland Brown joined Ed and myself.

Shomenuchi techniques were the topic for today. We ran through Ikkyo, Sankyo, Kotegaeshi, Shihonage, Iriminage, and several Kokyunages. Since there were three of us, the pace was a little less intense than previously. One of us was always sitting out. Cleve was a little rusty, especially at rolling, but remembered most of the techniques. He had no trouble at all keeping up with us, though he is clearly a beginner. Ed and I continue to be somewhat unsynchronized, but I'm starting to see a pattern in the way he falls and throws. He laid a really good Sankyo on me today which left my right arm sore. On most other techniques, however, he has trouble leading, extending, or completing. He will often get half way through something and just stop. At the end of the class, we did kokyuho practice. Ed had a really tough time with me, even though I wasn't actively resisting. Indeed, several times I led myself into a throwing position which he did not seem to sense. In many ways, Cleve did a much better job at this fundamental Aikido technique.

Kokyuho led to a discussion on Ki. I asked Ed to center himself and be heavy. I picked him up with no trouble. I then had him pick me up. He protested that he couldn't (without even trying!). At my urging he picked me up with some effort. I then had him try while I was heavy, to no effect. Ed did demonstrate a good grasp of unbendable arm. Both Ed and Cleve expressed a good deal of interest in Ki, though Cleve mentioned that he needed to really understand it. He won't accept it as magic or as unexplainable.

I'm also getting used to the practice surface. I relaxed a bit more today, and avoided most breakfalls. Wearing my Hakama also seemed to help avoid chafing at the knees. Ed mentioned that the rug had done a real number on his feet (the tops) last time. Indeed, they are still scabbed over a week later! I suggested that he keep his feet up.

There were several observers today. Later, in the dressing room, several asked about our practice. Some knew of Aikido and expressed interest in a class of some sort. I'm going to broach the subject with the Health Club representative soon and see what is possible.