Welcome to South Austin Aikido

I just returned from an aikido packed week in Florida for the ASU Winter Intensive with Saotome Sensei and many wonderful instructors.  The training schedule provided for way more training time than my body could actually take, so I trained as much as I could.

Saotome Sensei showed repeatedly the importance of maintaining connection to your partner’s center line while keeping the arms relaxed and the contact light.  It was enlightening to realize how light this touch actually needs to be to prevent creating structure for your partner.  The relaxation of the arms and light touch leads to sensitivity and more options as the technique develops.

It was interesting training with several of the senior students within ASU, including George Ledyard Sensei from Seattle, Kevin Choate Sensei from Chicago, Paul Dang Sensei from the Bond Street Dojo in New York City, John Messores Sensei from Florida, and Patty Saotome Sensei.  Each of these teachers has their own teaching methods and each brings a wealth of aikido knowledge to the mat.  My brain went into overload very quickly and it will take some time to resolve these new ideas into everyday practice.

In addition, I had the pleasure of rooming with Craig Slack Sensei.  For those of you that know Craig Sensei, you understand that he is an aikido maniac.  As my wife puts it, I am only a casual observer of aikido compared to him.  We often added several hours of practice in our hotel each day following classes.  Working on different ways of moving to absorb energy and capture the balance of our partner.  This was invaluable practice.

The location of the seminar was beautiful and for several of the days the weather was absolutely perfect at 70-80 degrees and sunny.  The hotel was on a beach facing the gulf with its white sand.  It was very soothing to hear the ocean in the evenings. 

It will take a few more days for my body to recover from the week.  However, it may take several weeks for my eyes to quit spinning and my mind to resolve the ideas I am left to deal with.  Sounds like a perfect week of training to me.