The New Nikyo Quarterly is now available

Winter 2009 Edition of Nikyo Quarterly

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Help Wanted for Cobblestone

Starting January 13, Rochester’s Cobblestone School will bus their 8th grade students to the Dojo for an hour long Aikido class on Tuesdays from 1:00 - 2:00 pm.

The instructors could definitely use some extra uke help. Little experience is needed so this is a wonderful opportunity for anyone in the dojo, regardless of rank, to be in involved in a community service project.

If you can help, please call Mike Lewis as soon as possible at 325-2474 (office), 624-2531 (home), and cell 943-9433.

New Year's Day!

Come ring in the new year with some Aikido practice...class will begin at 10:00 AM on 01/01/09.

Our theme will be: Concepts or techniques learned in 2008 that are worth carrying into 2009.

Hope to see you on the mat!

Marcella

Kokyu Nage

Q: How many kokyu nages can you think of in response to a yokomen attack?

A: 1? 5? 10? 15? (At Open Mat on Sunday we found 14.)

What is a kokyu nage? From Aikiweb wiki (see http://www.aikiweb.com/wiki/Kokyu_nage):

Kokyu-nage, or "breath throws" are a seemingly very broad and ambiguous class of throws. They range from virtually no-touch techniques to what can appear to be "body slams." Some techniques, such as those termed iriminage and hiji-ate nage in many styles, are referred to as types of kokyunage by other styles.

Common Traits:

A few theories exist on what makes a kokyu-nage a kokyu-nage, and do not necessarily contradict one another:

• Techniques that should be done in a flowing fashion, "in one breath."
• Techniques where uke's energy continues uninterrupted.
• Kokyu as timing or the flow of energy: thus, not depending upon joint manipulations but upon subtler timing and control of uke's attention.
• Techniques where uke seems to be thrown with nothing more than "a breath."

In tonight's 7:00 pm class we will explore several of the many kokyu nage options available in response to yokomen.

Monday Morning

For those off for the holidays or anyone wanting an early start come enjoy our morning class! This monday we will be exploring against the wall techniques. What to do when you can't back away.

Join us for breakfast afterwards at The Liberty on Winton Road. Hope to see you there!

Monday in the Dojo

Monday night's 8pm class will focus on ki exercices (the more odd ball ones) and kiatsu. We will also be screening a very special Christmas movie, Raging Rudolph and its sequel, The Reinfather. These are two "can't miss" holiday films!

Speaking of films. The dojo weapons kata DVD is ready. I have a copy that is to remain in the dojo, and nine more for distribution. Five are already claimed so sign up if you want one. We're asking $2 each to cover copying costs and case. These are not for distribution outside the dojo as they are to be used only as a reference for practice and instruction within the dojo. Many of us have recently been reminded of what video and book only learning looks like, and it ain't pretty. I'd like to do these in batches as it is somewhat time consuming. Any extra cash goes to the guest instructor fund. We'll do the same for the test techniques DVD that is in progress.

New Year's Day Practice

Start your new year with a few good throws!

Please join us if you can for practice on New Year's Day at 10:00 am.

For more info see Marcella Mosher or Jim Austin.

Summer Camp 2009

Summer Camp dates have just been confirmed.

Camp will be at Villanova University, Villanova, PA on July 16, 17, 18 and 19.

Watch the blog and bulletin board for more details.

All things Jo

This Monday at 8pm we will concentrate on the Jo. Techniques, attacks, kata, you name it...