Maruyama Sensei demonstrating Butterfly

Jo Kata No 2 (Butterfly)

  1. Munetsuki, Guard, bring jo down
  2. Munetsuki, Guard
  3. Step right, rotate jo into Jodan no Kamae & Shomenuchi (Butterfly spin starts)
  4. Step Left & block down across front of body
  5. Shomenuchi (Butterfly spin ends)
  6. Munetsuki
  7. Turn 180° to right & Shomenuchi with kiai (Butterfly spin starts)
  8. Step left & block down across front of body
  9. Shomenuchi (Butterfly spin ends)
  10. Munetsuki
  11. Turn 180° to right & Shomenuchi with kiai
  12. Strike rear at waist level on left
  13. Strike rear at waist level on right
  14. Continue turn to right 180° & Shomenuchi
  15. Turn 180° to right, run three steps, Shomenuchi with kiai
  16. Bring jo across body to left, swing right, turning 360°, bring up to Hasso no Kamae
  17. Step right & uppercut chin
  18. Munetsuki on left side
  19. Step left & Shomenuchi
  20. Munetsuki
  21. Step right & uppercut chin
  22. Munetsuki on left with Kiai, Guard

Shukan News 18th April

Monday 18th April 2011

If you have any contribution for the Shukan News (story, photograph, video), please send it via email to gary@garyweigh.com

1. Classes over Easter

easter-bunnyClasses at Nathan dojo will be held as normal over Easter. There will be a class on Saturday 23rd April and there will be an evening class on Tuesday 26th which is a public holiday in lieu of Anzac Day on the 25th.

There will be no classes at Everton Hills dojo over Easter as the PCYC will be closed. The classes affected will be the Saturday classes and the Monday evening class. All of our Everton Hills friends are welcome at Nathan dojo.

We wish you a HAPPY EASTER!

2. From the library

moving_toward_stillness‘Moving Toward Stillness’ by Dave Lowry; p149-150, Chapter 36 Hiyameshi (“Cold Rice”)

Finally, as we approach the stage of expertise where our teachers and seniors have no more to teach or to criticize, we might think the journey is nearing completion. Not so.

At this level the budoka is expected to turn inward, to relentlessly examine his technique and his whole lifestyle, searching out any weakness, imposing upon himself ever more hardship, seeking a level of the Way that is increasingly severe.

This austerity, known to all practitioners of the Ways of Japan, form the calligraphy to the budo to the tea ceremony, is called in Japanese, shugyo. But among budoka it is more colloquially known by an ironically descriptive term: they often call it hiya meshi o Michi, or “the Way of eating cold rice.”

If you do not prepare rice as a part of your regular diet, you may wonder at such an odd expression. The next time you have some leftover steamed rice in the refrigerator, give it a taste before you rewarm it or put it in the microwave. You will find the texture and consistency of the rice is, well, less than palatable.

It’s lousy in fact. It is tough, bitterly starchy, and unpleasant to chew, very different from fluffy, warm grains fresh from the pot. Soldiers in the field must eat their rice cold, because they lack the equipment or time to heat it. Bachelors who subsist on take-out dinners and wake up in the morning with nothing for breakfast but leftovers eat cold rice, too.

Sometimes, though, when circumstances dictate that a person must eat a bowl of cold rice, he will take it willingly. He may use a meal like that to remind him of the simple, humble things in life. A bowl of cold rice can serve to make a person appreciate that even the most blessed and fortunate among us must sometimes suffer.

Not every meal we eat can be tasty or hot or prepared exactly as we would like it. Despite its texture, cold rice is just as nutritious as rice that is fresh and hot. Eating cold rice can be a way of putting food in perspective. If we are hungry enough, cold rice can be satisfying, and it can provide us with the sustenance that we need even though it does not satisfy our tastes.

The austere practice of the budo is much the same. It is a discipline stripped of self-indulgence, of ego decorations. To follow a martial Way requires a certain amount of stoicism and an enduring spirit. The budoka prefers cold rice, so to speak, because he sees it is an essential means of improving himself, a means of perfecting his spirit.

It is not exactly accurate to say that the budoka “prefers” cold rice. More to the point, he accepts it, believing as he does that if he spends his life always looking for and demanding comfort and ease, he will never be tested, he’ll never be pushed to refine his body and spirit. The budoka accepts the hardships and austerity of cold rice because he feels that true contentment is not to be gained by acquiring things.

If you cannot be satisfied and happy unless you have hot rice with every meal (or a new car every year, or the latest fashions in clothing), you are apt to spend a whole lot of your life unsatisfied and unhappy, since most of us, having all these things is just not possible. But if you can find happiness in your rice whether it is hot or cold, chances are you will find the same contentment in everything life has to offer you.

The great budo masters of the past ate plenty of cold rice in their day. They suffered and endured. Their lives were not without happiness or good times or other luxuries. But none of them created lives that were centred on materialistic goals.

They chose a different path, a Way that means accepting some hardships. The late author Malcolm Muggeridge once said that of all the valuable lessons he learned in life he learned through suffering. Likewise it is hard to imagine that the great budo masters would ever have attained what they did without a stoic outlook.

Those of us who have elected to follow in the Ways they have left for us must come to our own conclusions about in what directions we want those ways to take us. Wherever we choose to go, however, if it is to be along the path of the budo, we must be prepared from time to time, to eat some cold rice.

This book is in our library. If you wish to buy this book, go to Amazon at

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0804831602

3. Michael Williams Sensei teaching at Goshinkan

griffith-aikido-brisbane-michael-williams-senseiDon’t forget that Michael Williams Sensei will be teaching on Saturdays 14th May and 4th June, 10:30am – 12:30pm at Goshinkan Dojo, Byron Bay:

Admission fee for everyone is $15 / $12 (concession) applies.

After class there will be a little get-together over lunch at Belongil Beach Treehouse, or similar venue.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

4. Thought for the week

“As soon as you concern yourself with the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you.” Morihei Ueshiba

Instinctive self defence

Self defence shouldn’t be a totally new concept to anyone. We are all born with instinctive protection mechanisms. All of us have an inbuilt fight or flight response to acute stress and all of us are endowed with 6th sense or intuition.

brisbane-martial-arts-attackIn addition, we have been working at protecting ourselves for years. Some of our most common protection strategies are built around our personality traits.

For example, some use charm or humour to deflect trouble. Others use avoidance, while others use aggression to scare people away. It shouldn’t be necessary but some people use total submission to defend themselves from the possibility of a worse fate.

Everyone has the right to go wherever they want whenever they please. That’s the freedom we expect in Australia. Unfortunately, a small minority want to stand in the way of that freedom.

Whether they have a cause, are full of hate, or are simply at the mercy of their own fragile ego and inflated sense of self importance, we don’t know. Nor do we really care!

It doesn’t alter the fact that we all have the right to live our lives in peace and without fear, and without threats, bullying, or intimidation.

brisbane-martial-arts-defendIt is such a negative view of life to avoid going to certain places, to never go out alone; to never go out after dark, or not be able to dress as we please. That’s not freedom!

Freedom is a much more positive and optimistic view than that. It is having the right to peacefully walk, drive, cycle, or ride public transport anywhere at any time. It is having the right to be in any public space at any time; all without being interfered with in any way.

But with freedom comes personal responsibility. From a personal protection point of view, it is also our responsibility to be aware of our environment, be able to assess risk and to control our own behaviour.

Personal protection requires a commitment to our own safety. It means developing strategies to protect our right to freedom. Therefore personal protection means a whole lot more than learning to fight.

Enacting personal protection strategies is about empowerment & prevention, taking control and being assertive and non-compliant when someone else is trying to aggressively impose control. If that is not done peacefully then we become the same as those who seek to impede our freedom.

For Brisbane martial arts and practical non-aggressive self defence, come train with us at Griffith Aikido. For class times go to https://www.griffithaikido.com.au/class-times

Shukan News 11th April

Monday 11th April 2011

If you have any contribution for the Shukan News (story, photograph, video), please send it via email to gary@garyweigh.com

1. Classes over Easter

Classes at Nathan dojo will be held as normal over Easter. There will be classes on Saturday 23rd April and there will also be an evening class on Tuesday 26th which is a public holiday in lieu of Anzac Day on the 25th.

There will be no classes at Everton Hills dojo over Easter as the PCYC will be closed. The classes affected will be the Saturday classes and the Monday evening class. All of our Everton Hills friends are welcome at Nathan dojo.

2. Meditation reduces pain

The text below was reproduced from the Wake Forest Medical Centre’s website. http://www.wakehealth.edu

meditating-red-menMeditation produces powerful pain-relieving effects in the brain, according to new research published in the April 6 edition of the Journal of Neuroscience.

“This is the first study to show that only a little over an hour of meditation training can dramatically reduce both the experience of pain and pain-related brain activation,” said Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D., lead author of the study and post-doctoral research fellow at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

“We found a big effect – about a 40 percent reduction in pain intensity and a 57 percent reduction in pain unpleasantness. Meditation produced a greater reduction in pain than even morphine or other pain-relieving drugs, which typically reduce pain ratings by about 25 percent.”

To read the full article go to:

http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2011/Demystifying_Meditation_Brain_Imaging_Illustrates_How_Meditation_Reduces_Pain.htm

To learn more about meditation:

http://health.ninemsn.com.au/pamper/sleepcentre/689866/meditation

http://health.ninemsn.com.au/tags.aspx?domain=site&tags=Meditation%7cThemes

3. From the library

‘It’s a lot like dancing… an aikido journey’ by Terry Dobson (p141)

terry-dobson

Terry Dobson (1937 – 1992)

One reveals oneself in the way one bows. In the Aikido dojo, you bow when you enter and when you come onto the mat. The spirit in which you bow is very important; you reveal yourself by the way you bow. An empty bow, while better then not bowing at all, is essentially worthless. As you bend at the waist and at the neck, you want to experience a feeling of vulnerability and humility. Your bow makes you an empty vessel into which knowledge can be poured. I used to be a terror at bowing; I would throw a student off the mat for an empty bow. It happened to me once.

One teacher caught me in a flippant bow and hauled me up for my arrogance. He refused to let me finish the class and sent me off in disgrace. It took me about three weeks to get over the embarrassment and go back to class. You can bet that when I did go back, I tried to bow as deeply and sincerely as I could. One time I drew a bow that had to be a world-class bow. I was right there. My whole spirit was right there. When I came up, I saw him give a smile of satisfaction which he tried hard to conceal.

If you bow well to a partner, to somebody who doesn’t know you, that person will immediately become fully conscious of you. The bow is really the soul of the art. Too often beginners think it is a legalistic interference, some kind of quaint custom that has to be gotten through quickly.

You bow when you get on the mat. You bow to your teacher every time he comes by and says something to you. You thank him. You thank your partner for any instruction given to you. Should you unconsciously be the cause of injury to another person, bow to them. Should another person cause you injury, bow to him as well. Thank him for the experience. When in doubt, bow.

Check out Terry Dobson’s website at http://www.terrydobson.com.

Read Terry Dobson’s Famous Tokyo Train Story at http://www.terrydobson.com/pages/train.html

There is a great B&W 8:35 video on the site which shows Koichi Tohei Sensei as the main teacher and Terry Dobson as a student (the attacker in street clothes).

See it at http://www.terrydobson.com/pages/media.html

4. Thought for the week

One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train. Morihei Ueshiba

Cultivating a martial spirit

The Aikido Journal is a source of rich history and valuable information about Aikido. Stanley Pranin is the Editor of the Aikido Journal and writes many brilliant articles found on the site http://www.aikidojournal.com

One of the many articles that I particularly like is titled “Cultivating a martial spirit”.

aikido-brisbane-martial-spirit1The article emphasizes the importance of training with martial focus and points out that etiquette is one of the cornerstones of proper dojo behaviour.

On etiquette, he writes, “The customs we observe before, during, and after training are designed to establish a controlled setting where dangerous techniques can be practiced safely. Etiquette should not be dismissed as an empty set of forms performed merely out of habit.”

On being Uke, Stanley Pranin explains the importance of Uke’s role in paired practice.

“It is important for uke to attack cleanly and with intent without anticipating nage’s response based on his foreknowledge. Nage needs a committed attack in order to understand matters of balance, body mechanics, and energy flow. Uke’s martial attitude will protect him from injury and promote his own progress and that of his training partners.”

On being Nage, he explains how Nage benefits in the long run from the ‘known attack’ method in paired practice.

“In the kata-like approach described above, nage knows the nature of the attack so he can concentrate on proper body displacement, distancing, and unbalancing his partner. The element of emotional stress that typically would accompany a real-life confrontation is largely absent in this basic training context. Nage’s initial movement should unbalance his partner because uke will be powerless to resist if he has lost his center of gravity.”

Stanley Pranin also answers the often asked question, “Why study aikido and not something of more immediate applicability to incidents of urban violence like the use of firearms or street fighting skills?”

I highly commend this article to you. To read the full article follow this link to the Aikido journal: http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=362

Shukan News 4th April

Monday 4th April 2011

If you have any contribution for the Shukan News (story, photograph, video), please send it via email to gary@garyweigh.com

1. April Beginners Course begins tomorrow night (Tuesday 5th)

aikido-brisbane-beginnersIf you are looking for martial arts in Brisbane, then give Aikido a try at Griffith Aikido. Arrive at 6.30pm at our NATHAN dojo and begin your 4-week introduction to the Art of Peace.

Quiet location on Griffith University grounds amongst the trees, with plenty of free parking!

For directions go to https://www.griffithaikido.com.au/locations/

We know what its like to be a beginner so you will have your own mat space and your own friendly instructor Dean for the duration of the course.

Start by checking out the articles, photos and action videos on this site. For everything else you need to know to start, download “A Beginner’s Guide” on the right hand side panel of this page.

ENROLL BY PAYING ONLINE at https://www.griffithaikido.com.au/payments/

So come meet Dean your friendly Beginners Course instructor. We are a big welcoming club, open to everyone and we encourage females and older people to learn Aikido.

2. Pet Penguin in Japan

Here is something different. Mike sent us the link to this very cute You Tube video.

3. From the Library

Here are two interesting library book excerpts from Narelle:

‘Aikido Shugyo – Harmony In Confrontation’ by Gozo Shioda, translated by Jacques
Payet & Christopher Johnston (p68/69)

One of the distinctive features of Aikido is its extremely efficient use of power. In demonstrations, it looks as though the opponents are thrown around with such ease that everyone gets the feeling that there must be something mysterious going on.

Actually, in a demonstration given by students of Aikido, the back is completely straight, the shoulders are dropped, and the participants assume a very sharp looking posture. Some people who witness a demonstration come away with the impression that Aikido is highly stylized. There is certainly nothing of the brute strength and training muscles that one normally associates with throwing people around.

In fact this is one of the most important aspects of Aikido. The graceful movements have nothing to do with laziness, nor is the perfect posture a result of striving for stylized beauty. Then why are they important? Well in order to produce great power, an effective posture is one in which your back is straight, your shoulders are down and your feet are firmly planted on the ground. In other words, moving your body while maintaining this type of posture will bring forth a much more powerful force than can be produced through muscular strength alone.

‘Aikido Shugyo – Harmony In Confrontation’ by Gozo Shioda, translated by Jacques
Payet & Christopher Johnston (p97)

I have already given an account on how to transfer your power, but another important point in Aikido is letting go of your own strength. When the opponent uses strength and comes in to grab you, you have to do the opposite and lose your strength.

Although it sounds easy, in reality letting go of your strength is an extremely difficult thing to do. This was one of the greatest secrets that I was taught by Ueshiba Sensei.

4. Thought for the week

“Students new to the martial arts typically make the mistake of deciding beforehand how they’re going to learn their chosen art. Trapped by his / her own preconceived notions of what is right and wrong, the student begins his / her training by wondering “How long will it take me to get good enough to earn a black belt?” Questions like this indicate that the student has already imposed limits on learning an art that he knows nothing about. The only thing he does know for certain is that a black belt is exactly what he needs.”

‘KODO Ancient Ways, Lessons in the spiritual life of the warrior/ martial artist’
by Kensho Furuya.(p45)

Kumijo

As an aid to learning here is slow version of Kumijo – paired Jo practice

Self defence – a terrifying reality for former Griffith Aikido member

A few days ago we received this email from one of our former members.

Last night myself and my housemate got attacked in our back yard by two guys we had never met before. They were hiding next to the house and ambushed us. They were big guys and under the influence of drugs.

They roughed us up, cleared out our house and planned to sexually assault us. Thank God I had some basic self defence training or things could have gone very very badly.

Having a self defence plan kept me calm and thinking clearly, enough to recognise an opportunity to escape and get help. In the end my flatmate and myself ended up with only scratches, bumps and bruises.

Because part of the self defence training was to be aware and remember as much as possible, I was able to give a very clear and detailed statement to the police. Both of the guys were caught by the police, and with the large amount of evidence, they expect it to be an easy conviction for robbery with assault.

I only did basic level self defence at Griffith Aikido, but it was enough training to stop a dangerous situation from escalating into a deadly situation. I can’t thank you enough.

Much love

-Gina

This terrifying attack took place only last week. Below is a related newspaper article based on information provided by the police:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/duo-went-on-assault-and-crime-spree-police-20110325-1c8y6.html

Editor’s Note: Gina kindly allowed us to publish her story on our website so that others could appreciate the value of basic self defence training. We congratulate Gina on her extraordinary courage, calmness and presence of mind in this life threatening situation.

Shukan News 28th Mar

Monday 28th March 2011

If you have any contribution for the Shukan News (story, photograph, video), please send it via email to gary@garyweigh.com

1. Safety part 3 – behaviour at class

martial-arts-in-brisbane-safety1Self discipline and self control are two of the cornerstones of Aikido. Like any other martial art, Aikido starts and finishes with respect. These attributes, together with the expectations set out below, form the foundation of safe practice for everyone.

  • Griffith Aikido institute Inc. exists to practice and foster the Art of Aikido. We believe that Aikido is for everyone. We do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, disability or age
  • Our values include committed training, safe practice, loyalty and respect. That is, loyalty and respect to the dojo, instructors and each other
  • Aikido is a highly participative art, learned by ‘doing’. Focus and concentration are required to practice effectively and safely. For that reason, you are encouraged to keep any talking during practice to a minimum, and any talking that is done should relate to Aikido
  • Aikido skills are learned by cooperative practice. Unless otherwise instructed by your instructor, you should not resist techniques because part of your learning is feeling and experiencing the technique being applied and learning to go with the flow towards a safe outcome
  • It is good manners to sit in silence while receiving instruction you’re your instructor. If you have a question, please do not interrupt, but ask it after Sensei has finished talking and demonstrating
  • Inappropriate behaviour inside or outside the dojo, or on the mat will not be tolerated. This includes abuse, harassment (including sexual harassment), bullying and intimidation
  • Wrestling on the mat or any other form of clowning around, roughhousing, horseplay or physical competitive behaviour will not be tolerated
  • If you are practicing with a student who is lower in rank, you must practice to their level. That usually means going slower; not forcing the person into a forward or backward roll and not causing pain
  • Everyone is different when it comes to applying wrist locks and pins. Be aware that many people are inflexible and cannot take much joint pressure. Apply pressure very slowly. Be alert to Uke tapping the mat or tapping them selves. This is your signal to release the pressure immediately. Joint lock pressure should never be applied to anyone under the age of 18 years.
  • Griffith Aikido is a female friendly Aikido club. Please take care when practicing grabs and holds on females. Shoulder grabs are performed wide at shoulder level, not at lapel or chest level. A bear hug from behind is not a wrap around grab. It is performed just below the shoulders with hands joined and extended to the front
  • Just as cooperative practice is the key to increased skill and competence, cooperation and teamwork gets the mats laid out, vacuumed and rolled up again.

2. The art of Nanba Walking by William Reed

Nanba is the Art of Physical Finesse. It begins with our most common form of movement, walking. Its applications range from martial arts, to dance, to music, to physical exercise.

7 secrets of Nanba Walking

  1. Turn without twisting
  2. Step with hands and feet together
  3. Connect your upper and lower body
  4. Step softly and swiftly
  5. Keep your feet in rhythm
  6. Take small steps with good alignment
  7. Practice walking to music

William Reed
http://www.EntrepreneursCreativeEdge.com

3. Thought for the week

Today, students of the martial arts have what can be called a “TV mentality”, turning off or changing channels whenever something fails to appeal to them. Instead of facing the challenge of training, they have become accustomed to simply tuning out or waiting for a better “show” to air.

‘KODO Ancient Ways, Lessons in the spiritual life of the warrior/ martial artist’ by Kensho Furuya (p45).

APRIL Beginner’s Course starts Tues 5th

BEGINNER’S COURSE STARTS TUESDAY 5th APRIL 2011

If you are looking for martial arts in Brisbane, then give Aikido a try at Griffith Aikido.

Arrive at 6.30pm on Tuesday 5th April at our NATHAN dojo

martial-arts-in-brisbane-aikidoEnjoy your 4-week introduction to the Art of Peace. Quiet location, plenty of parking! For directions go to https://www.griffithaikido.com.au/locations/

We know what its like to be a beginner so you will have your own mat space and your own friendly instructor (Dean) for the duration of the course.

What is Aikido? Check out the action videos on this site. For everything you need to know to start, download “A Beginner’s Guide” on the right hand side panel of this page.

 

ENROLL BY PAYING ONLINE AT https://www.griffithaikido.com.au/payments/

We are a big club with lots of friendly helpful people and excellent instructors. We are open to everyone and encourage females and older people to learn Aikido.

CONGRATULATIONS to our March Beginners Course graduates!!

Our 7 new (and very keen) members who undertook the March Beginners Course graduated last night with their 7th kyu grading. They did a fantastic job and we welcome them all into the main class.