The Aikido Podcast: Recent Episodes
Matt Wooddell/Jay Frameli
Both specific and broader discussions surrounding the practice and relevance of Willow-Branch-Dojo Aikido for martial arts aficionados and novices alike. Aikido for everyone that works!
We begin our next segment of Who We Are with Weapons. Master instructor Matt Wooddell’s weapon of choice, the Jo. Our discussion begins, however, with the relative lack of focus on weapons training in the Martial Arts in general, with focus mainly on hand-to-hand fighting. This is mainly due to the practicality. Plus hand-to-hand training lends itself to fighting with weapons. But, weapons training sharpens focus and precision principles in your training.
We speak a little on weapons history, from the spear (considered superior), the sword (traditional), the Jutte (Jitte) (designed to break swords) and, of course, the Jo. Jo techniques are incorporated into the San Kata (3rd Dan) in Shodokan Aikido, but specific Jo training is called Shinto Muso Ryu and is much more involved. The origin of Shinto Muso Ryu comes from Muso Gonnosuke (hence the same name) around the 17th century. Matt tells the tale of the famous duel between Miyamoto Musashi and Muso Gonnosuke. It’s an enlightening conversation!
Sensei Matt and I discuss the most important kata in our style of Ki-Aikido...The Walk. The Walk, comprised of 88 total movements, is the first kata taught in our system and demonstrates two key elements of Shodokan Aikido - movement and balance. Stepping through this kata, you'll feel basic reinforcement of the principles in addition to realistic, situational non-principled conditions as well. Proving, against the stereotypical viewpoint of Aikido, that our system is rooted with both offensive and defensive vantage points.
Matt and I speak about the techniques for increasing responsiveness and sensitivity of the student, with the goal of blending at a high level. We dispel the notion that Aikido is purely a defensive martial art. True mastery involves a transparent recognition between defense and offense situations, thus allowing the Aikidoka to become efficiently responsive.
We switch topics in this weeks podcast. What makes us different in Shodokan Aikido. We speak about the use of Randori (free-style sparring) and how it’s used as a check/balance for our training. Randori is broken into different sections: 1. Tori breaks balance, uke offers no resistance 2. Uke just moves (doesn’t counter) 3. Uke initiates the attack, but only defends 4. Randori - both uke/tori cooperate 5. Shihai (control) testing oneself one on one. In addition, we speak about the concept of continuous movement (but not literally) and the mindset that “nothing works” training in reflexive response. - 37:50
Sensei Matt and I conclude the 4th chapter in our series of "Who we are" discussions with our martial arts journeys from start to..... Our stops along the way ultimately lead us to Aikido and the true benefit of this and all martial arts. It's an interesting conversation to which I hope that many can relate.
Matt and I discuss the this "hard" vs "soft" designation that we so often hear. And, how this translates to the quality of Aikido instruction. Concluding on the "checks and balances" of instruction and the notion of a "super uke".
Hopefully, you'll find this short podcast informational and clarifying regarding Aikido as a whole.
Enjoy!
Continuing on lineage, Sensei Matt and I speak toward the expectations of Aikido instructors after 4th Dan. How much, if at all, should an instructor deviate from his or her original instruction. Bringing out, ultimately, the ability to modernize when needed the content and instruction. Sensei Matt delves into his experience in this area and the importance of actually teaching.
The perspective here is very important to new students looking to understand Shotokan Aikido.
Sensei Matt Wooddell and I discuss the different styles of Aikido and the specific lineage of our Aikido - Shodokan. With particular emphasis on the influence of Sensei Karl Geis.