Takemusu Aikido Society

The Takemusu Aikido Seminar we organised last weekend was a great success. People from all parts of Ireland, France, and UK came to see Ulf Evenas shihan, a student of Morihiro Saito sensei. Ulf sensei had a brilliant, very didactic approach to this seminar. He tried to explain the essence of Takemusu Aikido to non-Iwama practitioners. He explained the connections between ken and tai-jutsu, demonstrated the principles of jo, and disclosed how rigid kihon practice can be transformed into fluid ki-no-nagare forms. People from various Aikido styles tried to do their best to understand and accept Ulf sensei's teachings. It wasn't easy, but they enjoyed the seminar after all.

Yesterday we practised jo looking at the Balbriggan beach. The techniques covered: 13 no Jo Kata 13 no Jo Awase, movements 1 - 3 (step by step) #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #takemusuaikido #takemusuaikidofingal #aikidopractice #japanesemartialarts #balbriggan #mybalbriggan

Today we learned the techniques as follows: Ukemi Mae & Ushiro Shikko Mae & Ushiro Shikko-Kaiten Mae Tai-Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Morotedori Kokyunage Morotedori Kokyunage Ki no Nagare Katatedori Kokyunage Katatedori Koshinage Zagi Kokyuho Buki Waza: Shiboru-Undo Shiboru-Undo Tanren #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #takemusuaikido #takemusuaikidofingal #aikidopractice #japanesemartialarts #balbriggan #mybalbriggan

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we were only two with E. We focused on the slow execution of basic techniques in order to better understand body mechanics.  Tai-Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Katatedori Ikkyo Omote Katatedori Ikkyo Ura Katatedori Shihonage Omote Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Shiboru Undo #ourbalbriggan #aikido #aikidoireland #aikidodublin #aikidofingal # aikidobalbriggan #balbriggan

Today we came to the dojo and were surprised to see a new lock on the door. Not being able to enter the hall we decided to do outdoor practice on the beach. However the high tide did not permit us to practise at our regular spot, so we had no option except the ground near the harbour where the old nightclub was located. We covered the following techniques: Ken no Kamae Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Zengogiri Suburi 1 Zengogiri Suburi 2 Zengogiri Suburi 3 Zengogiri Suburi 4 Zengogiri Suburi 5 Zengogiri Suburi 6 Zengogiri Suburi 7 Migi Awase Hidari Awase

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we welcomed a guest from Australia, a former uchideshi of Nemoto sensei, Trevor Jones. Today we focused on the iriminage techniques and at the end of practice, Trevor also taught us a few techniques.    Tai-Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Kosadori Iriminage Katatedori Iriminage Jodan Katatedori Iriminage Gedan Shomen Uchi Iriminage Ryotedori Tenchinage Trevor's teaching: Shomen Uchi Kokyunage (similar to the entrance to kaitenage with irimiage-like finishing) Shomen Uchi Kaitenage Soto Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Ken no Kamae Shiboru Undo Tanren-Shiboru Picture taken 29 September 2018 in Tsukuba Shurenkai. Trevor is second from the right in the front row (with a logo on the chest) #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #iwamaaikido #aikidoaikikai #nagewaza

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we focused on the ikkyo and gokyo techniques: Taijutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Yokomen Uchi Kuzushi (soto) Yokomen Uchi Ikkyo Ura Tantodori Yokomen Uchi Gokyo Ura Tsuki Ikkyo Ura Tantodori Tsuki Gokyo Ura Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Shiboru Undo 

 Today in the Balbriggan dojo we focused on the Ikkyo control. Mae Ukemi Ushiro Ukemi Mae Shikko Tai Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Kosadori Ikkyo Omote & Ura Katatedori Ikkyo Omote & Ura Katadori Ikkyo Omote & Ura Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Shiboru Undo Shiboru Undo Tanren #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #iwamaaikido #aikidoaikikai #osaewaza #bukiwaza #taijutsu

Today in the Balbriggan Dojo we focused on Osae waza techniques: Ukemi Mae & Ushiro Shikko Mae & Ushiro Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Shomen Uchi Ikkyo Omote Shomen Uchi Nikyo Omote Shomen Uchi Sankyo Omote Zagi Kokyuho #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #iwamaaikido #aikidoaikikai #osaewaza

 Today's techniques: Ukemi Mae & Ushiro Shikko Mae Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Kosadori Ikkyo Omote Kosadori Ikkyo Ura Kosadori Nikyo Ura Kosadori Kotedaeshi Zagi Kokyuho #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #aikidoiwama #aiki #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice #iwamaaikido

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we focused on the Kotegaeshi techniques: Ukemi Mae & Ushiro Shikko Mae & Ushiro Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotdori Kokyuho Katatedori Kotegaeshi (Jodan) Shomen Uchi Kotegaechi Ki no Nagare Tachidori Kotegaeshi Zagi Kokyuho #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #aikidoiwama #aiki #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice #iwamaaikido

Today in the Ringsend dojo we focused on the Morotedori attacks: Tai Sabaki: Mae Ukemi Shikko Shikko Kaiten Tai Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Morotedori Ikkyo Omote Morotedori Ikkyo Ura Morotedori Nikyo Ura Morotedori Irminage Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza 6 no Jo Kata 6 no Jo Awase 5 no Jo Kata 4 no Jo Kata G. complained that it is cold in the dojo, so we practised a little more intense to warm up. In the middle of practice G. began complaining that it is too hot. The lesson is - if you feel cold then you should practise harder. #aikido #aikidodublin #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice #iwamaaikido #RICC 

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we focused on the shihonage and ukemi techniques: Ukemikata: Mae Ukemi Ushiro Ukemi Tobi Ukemi Shikko: Mae Shikko Ushiro Shikko Mae Shikko Kaiten Tai Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Katatedori Shihonage Omote Katatedori Shihonage Ura Katatedori Kokyunage Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza Shiboru Undo Shiboru Undo Tanren   #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #aikidoiwama #aiki #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice #iwamaaikido

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we welcomed a visitor with an Aikikai Hombu-style background. He tried to feel the essence of the Takemusu Aikido approach by practising basic techniques. He seemed to enjoy the positive vibes of hard but very open and sincere training. Hopefully, we will meet him on tatami again. The techniques covered: Tai-jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Kosadori Ikkyo Omote & Ura Kosadori Kotegaeshi Katatedori Kotegaeshi Katatedori Kokyunage Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza Shiboru Undo Shiboru Undo Tanren #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #aikidoiwama #aiki #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice #iwamaaikido

Today we covered the techniques as follows: Tai Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Suwariwaza Yokomen Uchi Ikkyo Omote Yokomen Uchi Ikkyo Omote Yokomen Uchi Ikkyo Ura Shikko Mae and Ushiro Suwariwaza Shomenuchi Kokyunage Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Shiboru Undo Shiboru Undo Tanren #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidobalbriggan #aiki #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice #iwamaaikido

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we focused on the 6th kyu program. We covered the techniques as follows: Tai Sabaki Mae Ukemi Ushiro Ukemi Shikko Mae Shikko Ushiro Tai Jutsu Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Katadori Ikkyo Omote Katadori Ikkyo Ura Ryotedori Tenchinage Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Ken no Kamae Shiboru Undo Shiboru Undo Tanren Uchi Shiboru Undo Zengogiri #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidobalbriggan #aiki #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice #iwamaaikido

 Today in the Balbriggan dojo we covered the techniques as follows: Tai Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Nikyo Omote Shomen Uchi Nikyo Omote & Ura Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Shiboru Undo #aikido #aikidoireland #aikidodublin #aikidobalbriggan #takemusuaikidofingal #todaypractice

We have two pieces of news today: The bad news is that F. had the last practice in the Balbriggan dojo. The good news is that last week newcomers returned and joined our team.  Today we covered the techniques as follows: Tai sabaki Migi Hanmi Hidari Hani Irimi Tenkan Irimi Tenkan Tsuki Irimi Tai Jutsu Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Katatedori Kokyuho Kosadori Ikkyo Omote & Ura Then we had a special part devoted to F. We gave him an opportunity to teach us one of his favourite techniques. He chose Katatedori Kokyunage Henka Osae Waza (Elbow control from outside) Then F. performed Randori when two persons randomly attacked him one by one. After that, everyone used F. as uke for attack from katatedori, morotedori, yokomen uchi (kosadori for beginners). The final accord was niningake (simultaneous two-person attack) morotedori. F. managed to escape this attack too. We finished the practice with traditional Zagi Kokyuho.   After the practice we enjoyed a barbecue a...

Today in the Balbriggan Dojo three newcomers came for the trial Aikido lesson. So we spent a lot of time on the basic movements and exercises. Tai sabaki: Migi Hanmi Hidari Hanmi Irimi Tenkan Irimi-Tenkan Ushiro Ukemi Tai Jutsu Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Tai no Henko Irimi Katatedori Kokyuho Kosadori Ikkyo Omote Katatedori Kotegaeshi Kosadori Iriminage Zagi Kokyuho #aikido #aikidoireland #aikidobalbriggan #aikidodublin #martialartsireland #takemusuaikidofingal

Finally with the fresh results of the PCR test in my pocket I headed to Iwama. For years I dreamed of becoming an uchideshi, but I could not do it because of my work. Now, my dream has come true, and I am in Iwama passing through the familiar railway station, bust of O-Sensei on the station square and "O-Sensei's street" with low pillars along the street showing O-Sensei's pictures. Iwama train station O-Sensei's bust at Iwama station When I reached the Aiki-Jinja and dojo, I understood that being the first uchideshi after two years of covid restrictions would not be an easy task. It was always the uchideshi's responsibility to keep the dojo and jinja clean. Without people constantly living in the dojo, cleaning was performed only by volunteers from the neighbourhood. As a result, the place I got used to seeing shiny and spotless had a little wild look, which meant I would have a good deal of work. Aiki-Jinja View from the dojo Dojo Shortly after my arrival In...