SAA site syndication http://www.southaustinaikido.com Sat, 19 May 2012 18:38:39 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.southaustinaikido.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.southaustinaikido.com SAA site syndication http://www.southaustinaikido.com/content/view/1033/36/ I find that the terms uke and ukemi can be very confusing at times, because they actually mean more than one thing (and switching between those different meanings happens constantly during practice, and even during a single technique). In almost all cases, ukemi means providing your partner with energy to allow them to do the technique properly (that is, without nage having to bring extra energy to the technique). It also means protecting yourself. But early on in your training, when you can't really feel your partner's center, ukemi is mostly about learning which foot goes where, and which way to turn your body so you don't get hurt. As you advance in your training, the essence of ukemi becomes more about connection with your partner. You are providing energy to your partner as you connect to their center. Being connected to your partner's center also allows you to move, without thought, in a way that protects you. It also makes kaeshi waza (reversals) trivial. When your partner makes a mistake by pushing, pulling, or disconnecting from your center in some other way, the break in connection is instantly obvious to uke. Whether uke uses the disconnect to reverse the technique, or uses it for a teaching moment, or just goes with it and lets nage continue, is uke's decision. Stories & Articles - Articles Mon, 14 May 2012 01:00:00 +0100 http://www.southaustinaikido.com/content/view/1032/37/ This weekend Todd, Tim, Andre and I travelled to Mission, Texas for a seminar with Kevin Choate Sensei from Chicago, Ill.The seminar was very different in the fact that we were working on movement and connection without the restraint of a technique. The first focus was on moving our feet from our knees and to be moving when grabbed by Uke. This served to keep shoulders over our hips and our hips over our feet. The movement prior to touching also allowed our energy not to be influenced by Uke’s attack. We worked on this type of walking and relaxation without turning and then with turning, moving our shoulders and hips together. Later the focus changed from walking to relaxing our lower back muscles and causing the natural arch to straighten a little. The relaxing of the back was done by softening our knees and dropping our hips just a little to allow the lower back to straighten. The relaxation of the back allowed Uke to continue his movement into our space without obstruction from our own resistance. Later we worked on taking technique and utilizing our movement of our lower body to create the potential for martial application as in kicking or punching. The goal was not to hit our partner, but to recognize that being in a place that allowed the application also created proper posture in our bodies as well as the proper relationship to our partner, allowing freedom of movement for nage.On Saturday we were treated to a special dinner at Francisco’s house that was simply outstanding. We had several kinds of barbeque, which included some grilled shrimp and a lot of cake. We visited with everyone from the seminar and had a very enjoyable evening.Thank you Francisco, and all our friends in Mission, for allowing us to take part in this wonderful seminar and for being such gracious hosts to us all. News - News Mon, 07 May 2012 11:25:33 +0100 http://www.southaustinaikido.com/content/view/1030/37/ We are very excited to announce that South Austin Aikido will be moving to our new location in the Southwood Shopping Center, located at 1701 W. Ben White, Suite 130. The entrance to the mall is located near the Gold’s Gym, just under the “Tan It All” sign.This is a very exciting time for our Aikido/Yoga community. In the very near future we will provide the timeline of activities, from preparing the space to the dojo move to our grand opening in the new space. There is much to be done as we transform the existing space into the new South Austin Aikido dojo and we will be looking for as much help as our community is willing to provide.Training in the current location will continue as normal until the move itself. Once the move is complete (with minimal interruption) we intend to maintain our existing training schedule in our new space.People may also make tax deductible donations to help with the building fund. South Austin Aikido is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible (as well as much appreciated).Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or wish to help.Many Blessings and see you on the mat!Todd Kammerer: todd.kammerer@southaustinaikido.com (mailto:todd.kammerer@southaustinaikido.com)Tim Schmelter: tim.schmelter@southaustinaikido.com (mailto:tim.schmelter@southaustinaikido.com) News - News Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:09:00 +0100