Aikido I

Catalog description

We begin with centering ourselves and bringing that awareness to the situation of conflict. We simultaneously practice the kata of clean, powerful attacks and harmonious defense responses, and ukemi, the art of falling. We emphasize extending energy and transforming the encounter to one of excitement and harmony. Bokken-aikido sword is introduced. We establish links to the aikido lineage and training communities. We support our embodied experience by reading and reporting on texts of aikido history, philosophy, and technique. We study other contemporary sensei through video and visits to seminars. We journal our practice and write reflection papers. Cross-listed as TRA510.