The Martial Artists' Training Log

[bushido_man96]

I did pass, Bob. 

[bushido_man96]

12/16/2024

Aikido Class:  8:30 - 9:30 am.  Morning class.  After our warmups and stretching/aikitaisos, we got to work more on testing material.  The first technique I did was shomenuchi kokyonage.  I need to get better at the balance breaking aspect of this technique.  Sensei gave me a few good pointers, the most important one is staying relaxed when I hook the hands on, especially the one that goes up to the head/neck area.  From there, I tried to focus more on a "drop" than a pull or a yank back on the uke.  From the drop, pulling the head to the chest becomes easier.  I started to see improvement.

Next was shomenuchi iriminage.  This one was a bit of a challenge.  In the kokyonage, the pull was down.  In this iriminage version, the pull is around, and then feeding their head into the crook of the elbow, and keep using a tenkan turn to get them off balance, then throw them down.  The control of the head in the crook of the elbow and pointing the elbow up at the right time seems to be a key.

On top of performing the techniques, I'm still worrying about how my head will respond to getting taken down.  I did take a couple of falls, and things went ok throughout the day.  That was a nice relief.