4th Kyu Preparation - Salami Slice Approach IV

Source: www.aikidocity.com

I cannot estimate any more when I will be taking this exam unfortunately. It has happened that I did not attend the winter training camp from various reasons. Then I just received a mail that in the next camp, only those can take an exam who have participated on the winter camp, so there go my hopes out the window. But the salami slice approach continues.

The topic of this post will be kote gaeshi. For the 4th kyu exam you have to execute it from aihanmi katatedori, katatedori, shomenuchi and yokomenuchi. However I am pretty sure that our Sensei will be asking for kotegaeshis executed from a number of other attacks, too. What we did this week we paired up in groups of three and ukes could attack the way they wanted. Tori had to execute techniques, as always it had to be nage waza and not osae waza, that is you had to perform a throw and not a pin. I did not do well with the shoulder and elbow grabs, so I need to practice that. Not too many videos found on elbow and shoulder grabs, so I will just have to stick with my training and pay more attention.

 Let's see how Monsieur Tissier does it from aihanmi katatedori.

And some footage from one of our summer camps:

Thanks for reading this post and stay tuned for some more. The winter holidays are approaching which sort of slowed down my posting pace, but there will be some more posts. I will not be doing any Christmas giveaway, but stay tuned for the 2 year anniversary of my blog in January. I am already planning something for you guys!!! To make sure you will be notified, become a follower of this blog by joining the GFC community on the left hand side. 

Don't forget to follow me for training notes on Tumblr. I post training notes at least twice a week!

4th Kyu Preparation - Salami Slice Approach III

I did not take an exam on the summer training camp as I was not yet too well prepared. Sensei asked me yesterday if I was to take the exam on the winter training camp. Well to be honest, I have no idea if I should go ahead and shoot for 4th kyu next month already... But to be on the safe side, I am continuing the series of posts with the salami slice approach. Please become the follower of my blog if you are interested in the updates about my preparation for the 4th kyu exam by hitting Join this site in GFC on the left.

Today on our plate the slightly confusing names of three different techniques: Uchi Kaiten Nage, Soto Kaiten Nage, Ude Kime Nage. This post will help me and you guys to better understand how the techniques function.

Uchi Kaiten Nage is when you step inside and turn underneath the arm of the uke. Let us watch this execution in the video and fix this techniques. You also might want to try exercising with your mind's eye to fix both the movement and the name of the technique. The best in that is in your mind you can basically practice anywhere: during a break at work, on the bus, while waiting in a line, etc.

Soto Kaiten Nage is similar, but notice the step on the side and the cutting from the outside. You are not splicing underneath the arm of the opponent but you just turn your hand over the uke's wrist and then execute the trow.

Ude Kime Nage is an arm lock trow that I also need to know well for the 4th kyu. As it ends with Nage it is a bit confusing and I felt like it had some sort of connection with the Kaiten Nage family so I included it here in this post. Still need to practice basic tenkan, weapon katas and gain more confidence before I can actually pass this exam.

Stay tuned for the remaining salami slices. To get to the firs post from this series and find out what I mean by the salami slice go here. To see the second slice click here.

4th Kyu Preparation - Salami Slice Approach II

As Irimi Nage is a topic in itself, and as I have realized that techniques can be executed in so many ways, I decided to dedicate a whole post to irimi nage in some variations. I am also feeling my mind let go of one single universally correct pattern and opening up to letting my body learn the movements...finally. Will practice this in the dojo this week.

irimi nage / omote – ura

Love the way this Sensei is explaining

Last but not least some footage from out dojo's 2011 summer camp evening rehearsals before the kyu exam

4th Kyu Preparation - Salami Slice Approach I

I went to this personal effectiveness training some month ago. I have learned some interesting stuff in there and now I would like to apply them not only in my work, but also in my aikido practice. It said that whenever you have to do something big or approach something totally new, just take it step by step. I have always been trying to approach a topic and take it in as a whole. Most of the times it it really demotivating. The trainer was comparing it to trying to eat a whole salami at once. In opposition to that she suggested to slice the salami and eat a thin slice every day.

So here is my weekly kyu exam salami slice for you. I am trying now to approach a topic, namely the 4th kyu exam material step by step. I also invite you along on the journey of analyzing the 4th kyu Aikikai Aikido exam material with pictures, videos, tips and what not! Hope you will enjoy! Feel free to comment and give any tips of personal stories any time!

Tachi waza:

Ai hanmi katate dori: kote gaeshi

Katate dori:  nikyo / omote – ura