Kingston Aikido

Check out our new flier courtesy of Sul Hakeem of Aikido of Greater Philadelphia! 🙏

Happy New Year. Thanks to all who came to celebrate the new year. We also celebrated Damon and Dmitriy. They are being promoted to 4th dan and were given the honor of demonstrating for the class.

"Spanda is a Sanskrit term – derived from the root spadi: “to move a little” (kimcit calana) – for the subtle creative pulse of the universe as it manifests into the dynamism of living form."

What it really means (and we know this very clearly from science) is that motivation comes from action, not the other way around. YOUR BODY PRODUCES ENERGY WHEN YOU GET UP. It doesn't bother producing energy when you're laying around, because that would be stupid. That's why you feel like you have no energy. Because you don't... yet.

Want motivation? Take some action. "Move a little." Get your spanda up.

🎨: Dugald Stewart Walker, early 1900s

Intentionally control the body.

Take care to not ‘throw’ weight forward to rely on momentum. The tensioned upper body will move first throwing off central axis and alignment.
Also, while transitioning, do not rush into the next move without a ‘settled’ stability. Do not be too quick to throw.
Intentionally control movement, take the time. Notice the pauses. We are controlling not only our own body, we are also safely controlling our ukes body.
We do not force, make, insist.
Find the harmony.

Eventually, we may want to flow beautifully doing more ‘advanced techniques’.
But remember to first focus on foundation.
Improvement isn’t about grasping fancy techniques, instead, a quietly controlled, rooted stable foundation helps with economy of movement, efficiency and precision.
True strength is subtle, not showy.
A consistent good foundation will create a profound, sustainable state.

It is not magic, just clean, clear intentional movement.

G. Breeland, 6th dan

Hello Friends! Here is our updated flyer for the 40th Anniversary Seminar on September 13. We are thrilled to be hosting Blue Spruell Sensei and Technical Committee Member from Peachtree Aikido Atlanta. Our additional guest instructor will be Juan Pablo Guachamin Sensei from Jatun Dojo Aikido. There is a QR code to register and a discount if you register early! Plan to stay for dinner if you can! Any questions please contact Nan at [email protected].

All affiliations welcome. If you need help with the fee don't hesitate to talk to Nan.

4th class of the day with @brianmizerak sensei of kingston aikido! the lights were kept off to help keep everyone cool. an awesome sankyo to kotegaeshi henka waza (switching technique)! one more class to go after and then it’s party time!!! #aikido #japanesemartialarts #martialarts #meditation #meditate #justmove #trainingday #exercise #yoga #aerobics #acrobat #stuntman #samurai #trainingmotivation #keepfit #dojolife #dojo #ukemi #breakfall #budo #bushido #workout #aiki #aikikai #jujutsu #jujitsu

Riai refers to the underlying principles that connect weapons techniques (bokken and jo) with empty-handed techniques.
This concept provides an immense tool in enhancing our empty handed technique.

The partner weapon forms address distance, timing, rhythm, and posture/spirit/presence.
In empty handed forms, Riai maintains our posture and alignment. Correct integration ensures movement comes from the center. Our power is unified and centered. It is far too easy to resort to segmented arms contracting and using the more familiar upper body strength - Riai keeps all this in check.

Excessive, wasted motion is also constrained. Tai sabaki is honed in, we move aligned, repositioning with uke as one in that connection. We employ the coordinated, whole-body as we seek advantageous position.
If we maneuver as if we are holding the Aiki Ken or Jo, we align, expand, extend, center and ground. Our hands stay together, movement is decisively expressed, strongly driven by the center.
Weapons can also clearly illustrate some good biomechanics, it allows a visual for trajectory, and it helps us view circles and spirals and the effect they can have on uke.

Riai is an ingenious concept/teaching beneficial to all serious aikido practioners.

G. Breeland, 6th dan