Martial Arts for Kids By Gary King
With the many distractions that weld our children to the sofa or in front of a computer screen these days, it seems it’s never been more difficult to motivate the young to engage in physical exercise that raises the heartbeat and gets the blood flowing.
With this in mind and half term looming I scoured the plethora of sporting options available and decided I should book my 11 year old son, Seb and his 8 year old sister, Bella onto a martial arts taster course.
But which one? A quick search on the internet reveals a baffling array of disciplines from Judo to Jujitsu, Kung Fu to Karate and Kick Boxing to Tae Kwon Do which all have an established and dedicated following that boast a host of benefits.
Then I came across what I thought to be a contradiction in terms – a non aggressive martial art specifically designed to inflict minimum damage on an opponent. This is how we came to find ourselves at The Stafford Martial Arts Academy for a beginners’ session in Yoshinkan Aikido.
“Aikido is non aggressive,” explains Chief Instructor Jay Savery, “because it focuses on redirecting an attacker’s force rather than opposing it, making it perfect for anyone of any size, in particular children.”
The children remove their shoes upon entering the training area, known as the dojo. They are instructed to kneel down in front of their instructor, who is addressed as Sensei, which is Japanese for teacher, and the lesson begins. As this is their first session it initially consists of being taught how to do perform a perfect forward roll.
“The essence of the Yoshinkan is to centre the body whilst remaining strong. That way a variety of throws and locks can be employed to blend with an opponent’s attack so that their energy is in effect used against them,” says Savery, “in literal terms the bigger they are, the harder they fall.”
Aikido’s rough translation from Japanese means ‘Way of Harmony’ and it’s this principle that it instils in its advocates and it is one of the few martial arts that is completely non competitive so its followers never intend to strike but only defend from being struck.
“Any competitive situation in which two people are asked to fight is eventually going to end up with a winner and a loser. This by its very nature encourages the idea of ego which will inevitably lead to aggression, frustration and anger.”
Progression in aikido is recognised through a belt system with a youth syllabus that requires application and learning. It’s suitable for children as young as five although for youngsters of this age the focus is less on technique and more on basic principles taught through role playing and games.
“Every aspect of the training is designed to teach the students, whatever their age, that they are responsible for their own actions and that there is consequence for whatever choice they make. It’s about understanding principles such as honour, integrity, honesty, respect and recognising the difference between right and wrong.”
That’s not to say that other martial arts don’t encourage these values because they do. It’s fundamentally about what you want for your child and the non aggression element of Yoshinkan Aikido marks it out as being different from other disciplines.
The physical benefits for children are also obvious and include healthier cardiovascular systems to strengthening growing limbs and increased energy levels. If my two red faced padawans are anything to go by, they’ve had a cracking time and a right good workout dashing about the dojo. But from a fighting point of view does this harmonious energy transfer actually work?
Sensei Savery asks the kids if they would like to see him demonstrate a move. Their enthusiasm to see their dad at the receiving end of an expert who has trained with Masters in Japan is ebullient to say the least.
In the spirit of the dojo I give it all I’ve got and surge forward and grab hold of his suit known as a dogi. In a blur of arms and rustle of fabric the next thing I know I’m laying face down on the floor wondering what hit me.
“The bigger they are, the harder they fall,” chorus a pair of laughing voices.
For more information visit www.yoshinkan-aikido.com or call 07905 440203.
Jiyu Waza
There are many things that separate one martial art from another. Karate is famous for its kumite (sparring). Wing Chun is well known for its Chi Sao (‘sticking hands’) while Yoshinkan Aikido’s most talked about subject in world circles is its Jiyu Waza or ‘free style techniques’.
These advanced techniques are often demonstrated by Sensei under attack from multiple opponents. In order to simulate the true effectiveness of the techniques used the opponents or Ukes (trained attackers affectively) must give 100% commitment to their attack. By this I mean Uke must aim to hit Shit’e and mean to strike him as hard as he can. Think about it this way: it’s probably one of the only chances you’re ever going to get to land one on your Sensei without any repercussions! So make the most of it!
When surrounded by more than one aggressor it is of the up most importance for Shit’e to move into the available space and keep the attackers in the way of one another. In absolute real life confrontation ideally you would aim to throw one of the aggressors into the others ended things quickly and efficiently however, this does not make for a good demonstration and when it comes down to it and that is what Jiyu waza is mostly used for.
To get the most out of jiyu waza it is best to do such demonstrations one on one. This allows you as Shit’e to learn to control Uke all the while practising and demonstrating several different techniques at once. When faced with multiple attackers who are fully committed then you straight away are limited to use the quickest of the techniques such as irimi nage (entering throw), koshi nage (hip throw) and kokyu nage (breath throw). Other techniques that take just that little bit longer to execute leave you over exposed to uke’s attack and guess what if that happens then you’re going to get hit – sorry!
Jiyu waza is a much talked about subject in that it looks extremely artful and to coin a phrase ‘fake’. There is no other way to say this but ‘it is fake’ the reason being that in reality you would perform the desired technique only the once and uke would not be getting back up to try a second time or a third or a fourth. We always train in the dojo to prepare our students for the reality of an attempted assault and because we train to keep safe we put safety first. That means learning the correct ukemi, getting the timing right for both Shit’e and Uke. Making sure the pair that are practising together are equally matched for skill and sensitivity, so if Shit’e feels that Uke is not going to get off the technique then he affectively lets it off.
When all of these things are married up together correctly it is a wonderfully skilful thing to watch. It gives uke an opportunity to practice his ukemi (break fall), if gives both uke and Shit’e the chance to test the speed of their reactions. Shit’e gets to understand the importance of timing and fighting distance (mei). Jiyu waza also forces Shit’e to stop thinking about technique and to just perform it instead. What this means is: muscle memory will kick in and you will only ever do what comes naturally to you, which often surprises the students themselves that are practising it. Sometimes they end up doing a technique that in their own mind they never thought they could do or certainly would never have thought about doing, which is cool.
So in order to separate yourself from the crowd and before you watch one hundred and one awful jiyu waza demonstrations that are on you tube come down to a real dojo, get involved and I will personally give you a demonstration. And who knows if you get to grips with that perhaps I’ll show you some Goshin waza, now that’s where the real fun starts!
Budo or not budo, that is the question.
There are many questions in life that a person may spend many an hour pondering upon, such as: Why am I here? What sort of job would best suit me? How does inflation really work? And why am I so interested in soap operas when surely my own life is much more interesting? To some degree all these questions are worth consideration and more but what true relevance and bearing on your life do they have if any? Which brings us to the question: ‘Budo or not Budo?’
To the average person the word ‘Budo’ has little if not no meaning. In fact for most people the word ‘Budo’ is not even in their vocabulary. Yet it is a huge word in the world of martial arts. For anyone practising or considering practising a martial art then it should very much be a word at the forefront of their mind when partaking in the journey of self discovery that only a true martial art can provide.
Let me explain: in the Japanese context the word Budō is a compound of the root bu (武:ぶ), meaning war or martial; and dō (道:どう), meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga (meaning the “path” to enlightenment). The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a ‘path’ to realize them.
Dō signifies a “way of life”. Dō in the Japanese context, is an experiential term, experiential in the sense that practice (the way of life) is the norm to verify the validity of the discipline cultivated through a given art form. The modern budō has no external enemy, only the internal enemy, that of one’s own ego.
Similarly to budō, bujutsu is a compound of the roots bu (武), and jutsu (術:じゅつ), meaning science, craft, or art. Thus, budō is most often translated as “the way of war”, or “martial way”, while bujutsu is translated as “science of war” or “martial craft.” Many hundreds and even thousands of years ago Eastern countries (one of the most famous being Japan) developed fighting or ‘killing arts’ aka a ‘Budo’. These Budo’s were used to defend life and forge the future of a people by preparing them for war. In years gone past these Budo art forms have crossed the oceans and made its way to our Western shores in the forms of what we now know to be martial arts. With all translations something was lost. But why does this happen?
Well to be honest that really depends upon the intention of the person or people using it and to what aims. Primarily martial arts were created to hone fighting skills and kill enemies (it was a matter of survival). In the modern western world most people take up martial arts as hobbies as oppose to a way of life which is where the budo element comes in. A lot of martial arts have been watered down by modern society to make them more appealable to the mass consumer and safer in the eyes of the law. Which when you think about it kind of defeats the original idea. Nowadays we have a lot of sport orientated martial arts that are competition based. Competitions do help strengthen individuals’ abilities and hone their skills but like all sports and competitions they’re bound by rules. When it comes to a real self defence situation there are no rules or limitations on how far a person can or is willing to go. When it comes to a matter of life or death it is only down to the courts of the land to decide whether that defensive action was just and right in the given circumstances.
Right now with any luck your head will be swarming with even more questions about what a Budo is and why you should take it into consideration when taking up a true martial art. Any bona fide Sensei or Sifu should be able to elaborate on what one is and why it is relevant to your development as a martial artist.
Good luck with your quest.
Book Reviews
Dynamic Aikido By Gozo Shioda
If you’ve just taken up Yoshinkan Aikido or you’re thinking about starting then this is the right place to begin. It covers the basic movements and techniques used in every day Tokyo Yoshinkan. It explains things in a very straight forward and direct fashion. The book rounds off nicely leaving the reader with a little inspiration by showing practical uses of aikido for self defence, which is where all beginners eventually should aim to be. It also includes a great glossary with Japanese phrases and their English translations which is a great help to anyone thinking of embracing the art.
Aikido: The complete basic techniques By Gozo Shioda
Another good book by the founder himself. This title comes complete with a short history of aikido. It shows the reader in very concise detailed photos the basic stances and movements of Kamae and the Kihon Dosa. It will most certainly help beginners while also acting as a great source of reference for advanced practitioners. It covers the basics of ikkajo and nikkajo. It also deals with basic throws that help form the early stages of aikido practice.
Total Aikido: The Master course By Gozo Shioda
If you’re passionate about Aikido then be prepared to get very excited because in this book the master himself finally reveals “The Hidden principles” of Aikido. This highly polished book comes complete with a large number of photos and techniques. Good for beginner to black belt this no nonsense book focuses on the basics through diagrams and photos including such high detail as how uke should control his knee! It pushes beyond the kihon waza though through to Goshin waza (applied self defence techniques) and Ogi (the hidden principles). With those of you that like to ‘live on the edge’ there are sword and knife disarming techniques included in this master piece.
Aikido Shugyo By Gozo Shioda
This book is a little bit special. It includes Gozo’s own personal account of the time he spent with the legend and founder of aikido O-Sensei. From stories about O-Sensei’s time killing bandits in the desert as a body guard to demonstrations for the Emperor of Japan. This book is filled with the richness of Gozo Shioda’s own life and sometimes his misgivings including the infamous Shindinku brawl. This is all about where Gozo started out as an Uchi deshi and how he lived slept ate and breathed aikido from his early encounters with the soke of aikido. A must read for any Aikido practitioner.
Angry White Pyjamas By Robert Twigger
Quite a controversial book in the circles of Aikido. Angry White Pyjamas offers an insight into the famous Sensusei course in Japan at the Hombu. This book is effectively Robert Twiggers journal of his time spent in Japan while doing the one year intensive training course. It details the pain, sweat and tears of what a person faces when embarking upon such a courageous course. This is a course that all the Japanese riot police have to partake in. People have died while attempting to complete this course, some of them on the mat in the Hombu itself! Extremely graphic in places and well written by an every day guy who went and did something quite extraordinary.
Interview with a Uchideshi
Name: Gavin Toft
Age now: 28
Age at time of course: 24
1) TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?
Originally from Cheltnam got 2 sisters: one older one younger. I’m a chef by trade. I’ve always felt drawn to martial arts. I was doing ‘Tae kwon do’ back then but it didn’t suit my size and weight (i.e. I’m quite short). I Moved to Stafford looking for work as a chef. Read up on other martial arts. Aikido sounded like it suited me and fortunately there was a dojo in Stafford.
2) WHAT INITIALLY ATTRACTED YOU TO YOSHINKAN AIKIDO?
It just resonated with me. Being small and not particularly strong, the prospect of finding a martial art that really worked on the basis of body mechanics alone sounded like a dream. Plus I saw the pictures of the guys wearing Hakamas and thought they looked cool!
3) WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO DO THE DESHI COURSE?
I was already training a lot anyway. Sensei asked me and it felt like the right thing for me so I signed up.
4) WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE COURSE?
I’d have to say the intensity of it. It moved at a very fast pace. I learned a lot more about myself, my body and its capabilities.
5) WHAT DID THE COURSE ENTAIL?
Well about 14 hours training a week broken down into: two one on one sessions with Sensei, training and instructing during the kids classes with more intense training during the adult classes. You had to watch the other students helping them to learn and understand the techniques better. I used to have to put the mats out twice a week and clear them away. (They have permanent laid mats now)! As well as doing cleaning and maintenance duties.
6) WHAT WAS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT THE COURSE?
Probably waking up in the morning stiff as a board aching and having to go to either go to work or back to more training. Maintaining the energy and attentiveness…
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEAN BY ATTENTIVENESS?
‘Explain what I mean’. Being ready all the time to be called up as Uke to perform or demonstrate a technique. Being in tune with Sensei knowing what technique he’s going to do before he even does it. Not screaming like a girl when pressure points are being demonstrated on me.
7) HOW HAD IT CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? (I.E. WHAT QUALITIES WITHIN YOURSELF ARE STRONGER; BETTER, DO YOU NOW PERCEIVE THINGS DIFFERENTLY?)
I feel more centred as a person more rounded. More confident within myself and my abilities. A lot more relaxed in tense situations should they arise. I have learned and nurtured the teaching qualities within myself.
8) WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE WHO WAS THINKING ABOUT DOING THE COURSE?
Just go for it! You must have genki its essential. Being in good physical condition before you begin the course helps. Make sure you can commit to the requirements of the course. It is very intense but life changing.
Read ‘Angry White pyjamas’ before you sign up. Make sure you get your rest time in and look after your body (make sure you take the time off specified in the contract (I didn’t and believe you me you need it).
9) WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TECHNIQUE AND WHY?
Any Kokyu nage (Breath throw) because it’s effortless. It just requires perfect timing.
10) WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST MEMORY ABOUT THE COURSE?
The one on one Jiyu waza session with Sensei that lasted for an hour. Which is like constant ukemi but with the added force of good technique on top.
11) WHAT IS JAY SAVERY LIKE AS A SENSEI?
He is understanding. He sees things from a lot of different perspectives which I think enables him to explain things as well as he does. He draws upon his own personal and practical experience to explain techniques.
12) WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A DESHI OUTSIDE OF THE DOJO? (IN EVENINGS AND SOCIAL OCCASIONS?)
Your duties as a deshi continue much the same inside as outside the dojo. You must be a good example to other students. I was most of the time apart from when I was on the karaoke in the local night spot. You continue to anticipate the needs of Sensei…
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT EXACTLY?
Just small things really like having a cup of tea waiting for him before he even thought about wanting one.
13) ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR OBSERVATIONS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO MAKE ABOUT BEING A DESHI?
Yes just one – OSU!
Japan 2010
Goryukan Stafford Dojo visited Japan and attended The 55th All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Embu this year, It was an Emazing trip full of laughs and lots of training with a bit of sight seeing thrown in. We visited a few temples in Japan and what Emazing places they are just wonderful to see up close, in one Temple we had the chance to have dinner which was a expirence in its self.
We visited Ando Shihan at Ryu Dojo and trained, then we had the chance to have lunch with Ando Sensei following that with more training. Ando Sensei is great, very warming to everyone he meets, I can’t get enough of Ando Sensei, I even ask Sensei if he would take a look at my Kamae which he did.
We also spent about 3 days training with Payet Shihan in Kyoto we had dinner with him and Payet Shihan was kind enough to sign books for us. while we were visiting one of my students fell and broke the sink and tolet in the dojo, not funny! but Payet Shihan was very good about the hole thing.
Honbu Dojo is small but very nice to train at we had classes with Sononda Shihan, Payet Shihan and Chino Shihan well what a class they were.
Self Defence -The Importance of Timing
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
I’ve had some really good feedback from people reading my articles and again I’ve been asked for my thoughts on real self defence so with this in mind I found myself thinking about an incident which happened to me outside the very club I worked at.
In the dojo we practice our techniques with a large amount of space between us and one of the reasons for this is “Timing” take the Front Strike First Control for example when we strike we raise our hands in front of the body together then boom!!! we “STRIKE” this gives you the chance to see and feel the timing in a technique.
Well let’s get back to the incident in question, I was out with one of my friends also a doorman/bouncer, we had a great night full of fun and I was ready for home and a good night’s sleep, we walked back past the club as my friend wanted a ciggie and didn’t have any, as usual.
I waited outside for him while he went in and got his fix (a cigarette) as I waited this guy caught my eye, the reason was just the fact he didn’t look right to me, as he walks toward me I know something isn’t right so I move out of his way to save any confrontation, as I move he turns back and comes toward me again, I thought any minute now he’s gonna say something.
I didn’t know who he was but for some reason I got the feeling he knew me, as he comes toward me for the third time he stops and said “You kicked me out the other week not so hard now are you” then came the name calling I thought “big deal” you’re not the first and you won’t be the last to call me names but then he starts to get very aggressive telling me how much its gonna hurt when he drives his fist in my face. With that he dipped his head backwards I quickly employed a Metsubishi (eye smash) as he came forward to head butt me BANG!!! He was clean out for the count, he had just head butted my fist, I didn’t feel a thing and I do mean nothing it was as if I had just punched thin air the timing was spot on, a second before or a second after