Weapons Seminar Recap

Weapons Seminar Recap

Morning Classes Recap By Jack Freund, 2nd Kyu.

Kumitachi with Sensei Ed Haponik.

The morning session covered two really great topics: Kumi Tachi and Tanto Tori. These are typically Shodan and above level wazas, but are still accessible to many senior-level kyu students. In the Kumi Tachi class with Sensei Haponik, we warmed up with some short individual katas and then moved to a paired kata series. Each small set of movements built on the next and we practiced the first 3 plus the unique Reiho necessary to begin the work.

Tantotori with Sensei Jim Hyde.

In Hyde Sensei’s class we reviewed Tanto Tori from a tsuki attack. We reviewed several techniques and Sensei spent a lot of time focusing on important, often overlooked details like ways to ensure you’ve taken uke’s Kuzushi.

Afternoon Classes Recap by Manny McGrinson, 6th Kyu

Jotori/Jonage/Tachitori with Sensei Jonathan Weiner.

During session 3 we learned how to defend against Jo and Bokken attacks. Yes, we were using Jos and Bokkens to practice the techniques, but the general concepts of getting off the line, manipulating the opponent’s balance and disarming can be applied to other types of weapons such as bats, bottles, pipes, etc. A lot of the techniques we worked on were fairly advanced, but Weiner Sensei broke them down into simple steps and helped us fine tune our technique through repetition and careful correction. My main takeaway from the class was gaining a deeper understanding of the power of weapon leverage and weight underside. I’m familiar with these concepts and thought I understood them, but like the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know. One more aha! moment for my aikido practice. Good class all around.

Gun defensive tactics with Sensei Dennis Main

If I had to describe this class in one word, it would be “practical”. Based on my limited observations, Aikido is an art form that requires patience and many years to truly master (which is a plus in my book), but despite that, it can also be quite practical for the here and now. Main Sensei provided some helpful (and might I say fun) defenses for gun attacks. Front, back, head, you name it, he had it. I hope I never have to use them, but should I find myself in that situation, at least I have some options. He also offered some insights regarding the criminal mind and after class a few students stayed around discussing various potential scenarios. My main takeaway was probably understanding that survival is dependent on our ability to remain calm while at the same time disturbing the criminal’s ki (which I understood it to mean his train of thought in this particular case).

In Aikido of Charlotte fashion, quality seminar.