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 two-handed
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 (3rd 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.