Beyond Techniques

Beyond Techniques- Other Exercises:

The following exercises can be practiced outside of class and
students are encouraged to do so. Before practicing, please make
sure you have the proper form and movements for each exercise.
Otherwise, bad habits can be developed that will cause difficulty
later.
Koho-Tentos:
These are a series of rolling exercises to develop proper form
when rolling, standing and falling. We have five different sets.
The first set is to start seated with your right leg extended and
your left leg folded under your right knee. You roll back and
switch feet, coming forward with the left leg folded and the right
leg extended. The second set is to switch feet, but this time, slap
the mat with your hands as your shoulders make contact with the
mat. The third set is still to switch feet, but this time to come up
to your knee, and then roll backwards and return to your knee.
The fourth set is to switch feet, but then go to your knee, and
then stand, and reverse the process to go back down. The last
set is to flip flop right and left, landing in the control fall position
on each movement.
Aiki-Taiso:
We divide the Aiki-Taiso into two halves. The first half are basic
movements that are common to many techniques, throws, and
locks. The second half are all actual throws that are usually
practiced without partners to develop the proper form for the
throw.
Kokyu Ho: Breathing exercise
1st Half:
Udi Furi: Shadowless Man. Heavy arm exercise.
Sayo-undo: Swinging arm exercise.

Sayo-undo Undo: Circular arm exercise.

Fune Kogi: Rowing exercise.
Shomen Uchi: Overhead attack exercise.
Cheri Happo: Spinning exercise
Cheri Happo Undo: Blending exercise.
2nd Half:
Ushiro-tori Kokyunage: Defense against a bear hug from
behind.
Ushiro-tori Kokyunage Undo: Variation of defense against a
bear hug from behind.
Ushiro Tekube-tori Kubishime Kokyu-nage: Defense against
a choke and immobilization from behind.
Ushiro Tekube-tori Kubishime Koshi-nage: A different
defense against a choke and immobilization from behind.
Ushiro Tekube-tori Zenchin Kokyu-nage: Defense against a
static two-handed wrist grab from behind.
Ushiro Tekube-tori Zenchin Kokyu-nage Undo: Defense
against a two-handed wrist grab from behind where you are being
pushed forward.
Ushiro Tekube-tori Kotai Kokyu-nage: Defense against a twohanded wrist grab from behind where you are being pulled
backwards.
Katatori Sume-otoshi: Defense against a front lapel grab.
Ibbuki Breathing:
Ibbuki breathing is a set of controlled breathing exercises. They
have many benefits including relaxation, breath control,
increasing lung capacity, and endurance training. The basic
mechanics of the exercise is to breath in slowly through the nose,
and then exhale even slower through the mouth, controlling the
air flow by constricting the larynx. If done properly, the escaping
air produces a rasping sound. Initially, a count of five will be used
for the inhale and a count of ten for the exhale. There will also be
other physical and mental movements combined with the
breathing to assist in relaxation, balance, and ki extension.

More explanation on the Sensei, Sempai, and Kohai

relationship:
The traditional Sensei, Sempai, Kohai relationship is fairly complex
and can be a little cumbersome and outdated. We use a
simplified version of the system, and use it to denote whether a
student is an instructor, assistant instructor, or a regular student.
Traditionally, a martial arts instructor was not a Sensei until
they started their own school. In our system, a Sensei is a
student over the rank of Shodan who teaches a class without the
direct supervision of a more senior instructor. Traditionally, a
Sempai is any student that is senior to you and Kohai is any
student junior to you. So a single student maybe Sempai to many
other students, and Kohai to many more. We rarely use the term
Kohai, but Sempai is used to denote a senior student (3 rd kyu or
above) who is an assistant instructor under the direct supervision
of a more senior instructor. On occasion, a Sempai may be called
upon to teach class without a more senior instructor actually
present, but are still under the supervision of an instructor of at
least Shodan rank.

END.