AIKI JO TEXT ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

My work on the illustrated manual has been slow for several reasons. First is the opening of my school which has been as time consuming as one can imagine. The schedule of the school has made it difficult to coordinate with photographers and training partners to pose for the book. However all is not lost. I’m offering a text only PDF version of the manual for 15 USD. This is a modest fee considering the time that I have put into it and the detail and organization of the material. All monies received will directly support my school and production of the illustrated version. To the literally hundreds of people across the world that downloaded earlier drafts for free, I hope you’ll show your support for the final draft copy. Please email me for ordering information.

FINALLY.

I can’t wait.

REVISING THE AIKI JO NOTEBOOK AND MANUAL.

I’m currently working on a final text draft, which I expect to have finished by end of the year. I am happy to say that I have a satisfactory account of the Aiki Jo system that will be available to all next year.

INTROSPECTION.

I was recently asked a few questions regarding my thoughts and beliefs on Aikido. The result of which was that I felt the need to write out, at length, a personal account of what has been going on in my head this entire time. By that I mean, how I even got into Martial Arts, and what has been on my mind when I’m training, and when I’m not training. I want to share with you Part Four of my Introspection. Please read at your own discretion. These are my own highly personal thoughts, and I have no intention of defending them to anyone. Discussion on my thoughts, all day long.

Part Four: Maybe I’m not good enough for Aikido.

I have met some very convincing Aikidoka. By that I mean I found something so remarkable about them, that I wanted to somehow emulate that quality in myself. At such times, I feel like a wannabe. I have to look at other people doing things that I wish I was doing, and I have to look from the outside in. It’s entirely awkward, because I have so much, if not too much regard for my own autonomy. That’s a statement I make against the higher powers that be. I’m so sick of the fact that for some reason, a person that has “only done Martial Arts for 20 years” has little if nothing to say in matters, since the 50, 60, and 70 year olds have laid down the law. At times I find it dehumanizing. I have to withdraw my concern for anything that they do, and work on my own shit. Yet, I still have so much respect for the fact that they are there, authentically as such. I don’t envy them, and I would not trade places with them, I just find that the power and respect differential in the culture of Martial Arts hierarchy to be disturbing at times. Still, I think about Ueshiba, and what he must have went through in his life to provide what has been almost the singular activity in my life that I love completely. Aikido has hard standards that I find unbearable at times. Whether it’s just learning and training the waza, the techniques, or the reading, the studying, the protocol, the culture…all of it, at times, drives me insane. I refer to this as being in the state of having a “fried brain.” My little brain can’t take it at times. So many times, I have thrown my black belt, hakama, weapons, gi, what have you, under the bed, in a closet somewhere, and just left it alone. At least I would try to. It calls to me. It says, “Autrelle. Autrelle. Au-trelllllllle…hey. Psst. Psssssst. Pssssssst. PSSSSSSSSSSST!!!! Remember us, your gear? Come on, come over here, you little guy, you. There you go, pick up the Jo first. Oh yes, YESSSSSS. Remember that feeling? Now the Bokken. Oh yeah. Remember how you used to take us to the parks in the early mornings by the river? You would swing us around, and thrust, and yell in such a fantastic manner with each stroke! Just take us out for some air. No one has to know. It will be our secret. You don’t even have to wear the gi, today. Just take us out for some air…”

I swear to you, this really happens. My fucking weapons talk to me. So I give in, I oblige them. Just for that day. And the next. Then, dammit, a month has gone by, and over lunch, my weapons and I will be having a conversation:

Jo: Hey Autrelle, you know what we haven’t done in a looooong time?

Me: Don’t start…

Bokken: Oh! Jo, I was just going to say that…

Me: Both of you fucking knock it off, I’m not in the mood.

Jo: But Autrelllllllllllle!!!! Come on!!!! It’s so much fun!

Bokken: You know you want to. You KNOW you want to.

Me:: Fuck both of you. You both make me fucking sick, and I should turn you each into firewood.

Bokken: YOU WOULDN’T!

Jo: He joking, Bokken. He loves us. He’s just pissed because we’re reminding that he’s not doing what he really loves, and this is his way of lashing out. It’s not about us. Don’t be so sensitive.

Bokken: Well, what do you think? We could go see Dee and the guys there, go old school? Maybe Leo in Orange Park, catch up on, you know, the federation you’re a part of. Oh! Or James! He always sends you messages and invites to train. And we all know how badly you want to train with Perry…

Me: Seriously, fucking quit it. Just knock it off.

Jo: (Stares at me) You’re being a bitch right now.

Bokken: (Winks at me, bats lashes, pouts) Please Autrelle, please??? Just take some ukemi. You love that the most, you know that.

Me: (Sulking) Fine. If it will make you two happy, fine. Fine.

At this point, the weapons exchange a knowing glance at each other. They know that they have me. It’s sad really. I feel at times that I can barely live up the the ideas of inanimate pieces of wood. My Aiki-Psychosis has given them a voice that berates me for not training when I try to back off of it for a bit. They provide encouragement and support for what I want to do, even when I don’t feel like doing it, or I feel like no one cares at all. It’s wonderful. At times, it’s all I need.

TRIBE-K INSTRUCTORS SEMINAR.

This weekend’s seminar was hugely successful. I say that not because a bunch of money was made, or someone looked really cool doing something, but because so many different instructors and students from up and down the East Coast came together. I was more than honored to be a part of this event. One of my fellow Aikido instructors, a wonderful gentleman by the name of James Woodard, visited us as a guest and participated in the entire seminar. He is senior to me in rank, experience, and ability, so it was wonderful to get to roll around with him and receive knowledge from him as such.

Let’s get on with it. Guro Israel Cruz also served in the Special Forces with my Kali instructor, Guro Sean Hurst. He is currently employed by NYPD. He taught a simple yet highly effective entry against aggressive punching, followed by a fundamental controlling position. From there, we did several follow ups based on how the partner would try to recover from the control position. He then showed us what I felt was the most painful compliance hold I have felt in a long time. Essentially a variation of what we call Yonkyo in Aikido, it’s right up there with Nikyo and Sankyo, extremely painful!!!

Anthony Peters taught a section using a tee shirt to counter knife attacks. He showed three methods that allow you to quickly remove your shirt and use it for combat. Then he addressed the basic angles of attack from long range, followed by using the shirt in middle range to cinch the attacking hand and disarm the knife.

Sean then went on to address our roles as Martial Artists in society, whether we are military, LEO, or civilian. Essentially, since we are equipped with the necessary skills, we are expected to act on the behalf of those that need our help, whether it’s providing CPR, or just writing down a license plate number. He then demonstrated the efficacy of the tactical light with two systems, one from Surefire and one from Phantom Warrior. Phantom Warrior only sells to military, so you can imagine that this unit had several special features for those that serve. Sean and Israel went on to demonstrate a very thorough overview of knife defense, covering all of the basic principles from the slash, thrust, hostage scenario, and knife versus knife grappling.

Then I did my portion, which felt like so little considering the pedigree of the instructors that came before, and in front of James, who is a senior Martial Artist as well. I went over a few basic trapping drills from Wing Chun/JKD, and briefly explained the purpose of trapping. I used the trapping drills as a review and a prefix for Aikido/grappling suffixes. In other words, each trap was concluded with a takedown or joint lock. In keeping with my current trend to emphasize individual critical thinking along with learning as a group, I encourage everyone to see these as patterns for ideas, rather than rigid facts to be memorized. I asked everyone to consider why these things would even be relevant to them, and if not, to freely discard them. Of course, afterwards, I gave my little speech about the role of Martial Artists.

Then my brother Joey did an awesome presentation of Panantukan striking sectors, along with the basic ideas of ground fighting for self defense. These were drawn from Silat. A lot of the stuff that he does is frankly over my head, and it’s hard for me to detail it without know exactly how to express what he taught.

Overall, the whole experience has left me feeling light and elated. I really love Martial Arts. Words are not enough.

AIKI JO’S HIDDEN SECRET: ROKU NO JO.

Big things do come in small packages. While I have been working on the AJNM, I have also been sorting what exactly needs to happen to make Aiki Jo a proper fighting method. I have so far concluded that mastery of the various Kamae is the first part, and understanding how and why the Kamae changes, offensively and defensively. Certain options and variations naturally lend themselves to a particular posture, yet the postures are all fluid and interchangeable. That’s when it hit me that Roku No Jo is just that, a way to practice the various changes from each Kamae. Here’s what Roku No Jo is:

1. Starting in Hidari Tsuki No Kamae, thrust with Choku Tsuki
2. Raise the jo with the Jodan Gaeshi movement
3. Step forward and strike with Migi Uchikomi
4. Draw the jo back to Migi Gedan Gaeshi No Kamam
5. Step forward and strike with Hidari Gedan Gaeshi Uchi
6. Turn the jo with the Chudan Gaeshi movement, which puts you back in Hidari Tsuki No Kamae, and starts the practice again

This is the first stage. Later, you combine the counts of the movements, eventually making this a two count exercise. I find that if you use this as an exercise to practice Kamae, instead of strikes, you will find a key ingredient to using the jo flexibly in a combat situation. Here is what I’m talking about:

1. Start with Hidari Tsuki No Kamae, which is the basic Jo Kamae
2. Prepare to change with Jodan Gaeshi
3. Make Migi Chudan No Kamae, the basic striking posture, same as when holding the Ken
4. Draw the jo back to the rear to make Migi Gedan Gaeshi No Kamae
5. Bring the forward and make Chudan Gaeshi No Kamae
6. Turn the jo with Chudan Gaeshi and return to the first posture

And there it is. Right there in front of me. A drill that teaches you the all of the basic postures: Tsuki No Kamae, Uchi No Kamae, Ushiro No Kamae, Chudan Gaeshi No Kamae. It also teaches the basic jo changes: Jodan Gaeshi, Gedan Gaeshi, and Chudan Gaeshi. Note that there is a definitive high, middle, and low in the Kamae and the jo switches. Think about that.

200+ AND BARELY A PEEP.

I’ve been checking the stats from my Box.net account, and since uploading it on May 24th, the Jo Manual has been downloaded 187 times.  That doesn’t include those people that were kind enough to email me to request a copy.  All together, that’s over 200 copies out there!  Where’s my feedback!?  I’m getting to the next stage, which is revising the text and illustrating the movements.  As far as text revisions, the main point will be to revise the terminology again so that it is consistent, from Suburi to Kumijo, and then add a glossary.  As far as illustrations, I’m going to illustrate ALL of it.  Then I can get to work on the Aiki Ken and the Ken Jo no Riai books.  So, talk to me people.  Let me know what’s up.

HEY, HEY, HEY! UPDATES.

I have had a LOT of downloads for the Draft 5 copy of the AJNM.  I have had little feedback.  Just so you know, I’m looking for ANY sort of feedback: constructive, corrections, suggestions, help of any sort.  The last thing I’m looking for is a pat on the back, although, they are greatly appreciated.  I did take some posed photos today with my friend Mackensey.  We did them VERY fast, VERY early this morning, but I think that they will suffice to illustrate some basic points.  Since there was only two of us, I showcased the Jo Kamae, 20 Jo Suburi, 31 Jo Kata, and the 13 Jo Kata.  That means that the next draft, which will be 5.1, proper, will have those sections illustrated.  I’m dusting off my layout skills now, so, it may be a few weeks.

Other than that, I’m also gearing up for a Tribe-K seminar this weekend.  Mr. Scott Gray, Head Instructor of the Kodenkan Dojo here in town, has invited Joseph Turner and myself to teach a four hour presentation of various ideas.  I’m going to cover the basics of Kali, and how they relate and transition to empty hand striking and throwing techniques.  Joseph has cooked up a little surprise that I’m not quite ready to let out of the bag just yet.

Lastly, I will be deejaying again this Wednesday at The Eclipse.  If you haven’t been, I would love to see you!

AIKI KEN: HERE WE GO.

Since it’s the 1st of June, I thought I would go over the “Ichi’s” of Aiki Ken, as an introduction to my notes on Aiki Ken.  If you’ve been following my blog at all, you should have seen this coming.

Ichi no Suburi

In Aiki Ken, since there are only seven forms in the suburi, they are simply numbered and not given a descriptive name.  The first suburi is done standing in place in Migi Hanmi.  Raise the ken straight up over the head and slide back a bit, rotating your hips.  Slide forward as you cut back down and be sure to settle your hips as you twist them forward to cut.  This arm, hip, and foot movement is the most basic practice in Aikido, armed or unarmed.

There is a Suburi Awase practice also.  Both partners face each other and practice the suburi together at the same time.  This will develop a very basic skill of moving as your partner moves.

Ichi no Awase

In Aiki Ken, the first awase is a counter to the firsts suburi.

• Uchitachi: From Migi Hanmi, slide forward and strike with Ichi no Suburi, Migi Uchikomi
• Uketachi:  Slide forward in migi hanmi and cut at uchitachi’s left wrist, OR slide to your left while moving to hidari hanmi and cut uchitachi’s right wrist

Moving like this with a partner is the most basic practice in Aiki Ken, and also forms the basis for the Tachidori techniques.

Coming up next: Ichi no Tachi, Henka no tachi, Ninin Awase, and Tachidori.

Take THAT 😉

RIAI: WHAT AIKIDO IS ALL ABOUT

Riai means “blending of truths.”  In Aikido, that means that our techniques are the same, whether we are armed or not.  It does not matter if our enemy is armed or not, and it does not matter if we face one attacker or several.  This is because Aikido is a complete Budo, designed to allow for all of these circumstances at once.  Inagaki Sensei shows this wonderfully at the 47th All Japan Budokan.  In his presentation, he faces three partners: one unarmed, one armed with ken, and one armed with jo.  He faces each one in turn, in that order, and uses a matched technique each time to demonstrate Riai.  I will describe each technique that he executes.

Round One: Throwing with Tenkan Ashi as the principle.  He enters and turns to the side of the attacker, facing the same direction of his attacker.

Taijutsu: He faces his partner who attacks with Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori.  Inagaki uses tenkan ashi, the classic urawaza footwork, and grabs uke’s hand in a manner that allows him to lock uke’s right elbow over his left shoulder.  This is an example of kansetsuwaza, or joint locking, and in this case is used as both atemi and kuzushi.  Uke is then thrown forward with a kokyunage.

Tachidori: He faces his partner in migi hanmi.  As uchiken slides forward with an overhead cut, Inagaki moves forward and tenkans while matching the ken strike by cutting down with tegatana over uchiken’s hand.  He then grabs the tsuka to throw and disarm uchiken with kokyunage.  This is a kihon tachidori.

Jodori: He faces his partner in hidari hanmi.  As uchijo thrusts, Inagaki enters to his partner’s side and gives an atemi with his left hand to uchijo’s flank.  He then turns to his partner’s side and grabs the jo in a manner that locks uchijo’s left elbow, and throws uchijo forward with a hijiate kokyunage.  This is a kihon jodori.

Round Two: Throwing with Irimi as the principle.  He enters directly omote, to the front of the attacker, and throws the attacker back in the direction that they came from.

Taijutsu: Uke attacks with shomenuchi, and Inagaki matches uke’s movements.  Inagaki continues his irimi movement to grabs uke’s right hand with his left, and strike uke’s face with his left hand for a throw.  In Aikido, this is called ago ate kokyunage.

Tachidori: Inagaki faces his partner in ai hanmi, and enters directly to uchiken’s front as he strikes with the ken.  Inagaki holds the tsuki with his left hand and strikes uchiken’s face with his right hand to throw him.  This technique is also done by stepping on uchiken’s right foot.

Jodori: Same as the tachidori technique, Inagaki enters to the front, grabs the jo, and strikes uchijo’s face to throw him.

And so on.  On the third round, Inagaki uses Sokumen Iriminage.  On the fourth round, Inagaki uses Kotegaeshi.  On the fifth and last round, Inagaki uses Rokyo.  All of this serves to showcase that Aikido is indeed an art based on all inclusive principles, not individual techniques.  Understanding any technique on the principle level is required for true understanding in any martial art.  Whether your partner is armed or unarmed is a manner of training method to practice principles which are then illustrated by technique.  A breakdown of that may look like this:

Principle: Kotegaeshi. Training method: Jodori. Technique: Choku tsuki kotegaeshi.

MY RESPONSE TO A POST ON AIKIDO JOURNAL.

Read it here. Great topic.

AIKI JO NOTEBOOK AND MANUAL – GET IT WHILE THE GETTING IS HOT.

I’ve made it even easier to get your own copy of my notebook.  Simply download it from this location.  You can also grab it from the embedded Box.Net widget on the side column. Don’t forget to help me with your input and feedback.  How easy was that?

AIKI KEN: HELP ME HELP YOU.

The Aiki Jo project won’t go much further until I illustrate it.  I plan to do it in parts, and release each completed part in order until it is done.  Until then, I’m going to go ahead and submit my Aiki Ken Notebook for review.  It’s still in scattered note form, and I have a few more items to review, but it should be available for review soon.  There are a couple of things that I would like some help with, if anyone wants to help.  I’m trying to gather some more information about the Ken Awase, Ki Musubi no Tachi, and relevant variations.  Please feel free to contact me via email with any information you have.  Thank you so much.

SELF DEFENSE CLASS: WE SHALL BARTER.

The one question that I have had the hardest time answering is how much I will charge for classes. i have decided that, in the spirit of wanting to share our diminishing resources, that I will accept barter as the primary unit of payment for classes. So if you are interested in classes, please consider what you are willing to barter per hour of instruction wanted.

Here is a list of individual courses that I currently offer:

Aikido, Taijutsu. The unarmed techniques of Aikido
Aikido, Kenjutsu. The sword techniques of Aikido
Aikido, Jojutsu. The staff techniques of Aikido
Kali. A Filipino martial art that teaches you how to use and protect yourself with any weapon, and also includes empty handed techniques.
jeet Kune Do. A set of principles based on your own personal abilities that draws from several martial arts.
CCQT: Civilian Close Quarter Tactics. A system I developed when I was a member of The Guardian Angels to train the volunteers for safety patrols.

Expect to train outdoors and one on one. Expect to train during the day, with some afternoons/evenings available for a slightly higher barter fee. Sundays all day available for a slightly higher barter fee.

As far as what to barter: Be creative and show my your talents as well. We all have resources and talents at our disposal, and I’m willing to listen to any idea you may have.

Spread the word and let me know.

Cheers!

Autrelle Holland

AIKI JO NOTEBOOK DRAFT FIVE NOW AVAILABLE.

I have received a LOT of feedback, support, and technical advice on the notebook, most notably from Alejandro Villanueva and Jason Wotherspoon.

Anywho, here’s the updated table of contents:

• Introduction
• Terminology
• Stances
• Suburi
• 31 Jo Kata
• Additional Suburi Practice
• Jo Awase
• 31 Kumjo
• 13 Jo Kata and Awase
• 1 -10 Kumijo
• Jo Dori and Counters to Jo Dori
• Jo Nage
• Additional Jo Movements

As always, this is up for critique if anyone wants a copy!