Essential Aikido-An Illustrated Handbook

Aikido practice provides a wonderfully rich framework for personal exploration and development. However, for the beginner it involves a steep learning curve that may seem insurmountable. First there is the strick etiquette to observe, then there is the Aikido taxonomy in Japanese to learn, how to

Show More

tie your belt correctly, how to sit, how to bow, how to fall down, how to attack...the list is never-ending, and complex Aikido techniques have not yet even been mentioned. So it is not surprising that many beginners don't last beyond the first few weeks.

Hence this book of essential information to make the transition from raw beginner to competent practitioner a little less daunting.

Everything that a beginner needs to know is contained in this book, explained and illsutrated. In Parts 1 and 2 the author explains how to sit correctly, how to behave properly in the dojo, how to stretch, how to roll, how to perform breathing exercises, and so on. But for experenced practitioners and instructors, as well as beginners, Parts 3 and 4, which cover body movement and basic techniques, it also details a rational, systematic method for studying basic Aikido forms.

Tha Author Nick Waites is a senior instructor of the Komyokan Aikido Association in the UK. He has been practising and teaching Aikido for over forty years and is currently ranked 6th dan by the Aikikai Foundation in Japan.

Contents

Acknolwedgements
Preface-Essentail aikido rationale
Abut aikido
Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido
Japanese aikido terms
Part 1 Basics
Dojo etiquette
The aikido uniform
Tying the obi (belt)
Aikido weapons-Jo; Bokken; Tanto
Posture
Tai-sabaki
Continuity of consciousness
Sequential movement
Ki contact
Relaxation
Extension
Timing
Ukemi
Leading
Aikido attack forms-Grabs; Strikes; Rear attacks
Part 2 Preparatory exercises
Seiza
Rei
Kamae
Kokyu-Breathing exercise #1, #2, #3
Junbi taiso-Arm swinging; Side stretch; Back bend; Back rotation; Leg stretch 1, 2, 3
Wrist exercises-Nikyo #1, #2; Sankyo; Kotegaeshi
Atemi-Shomen uchi; Yokomen uchi; Chudan tsuki; Jodan tsuki
Tori fune and furitama-Tori fune; Furitama
Shikko-Suwari waza no shikko
Ukemi-Mae ukemi; Ushiro ukemi
Part 3 Tai sabaki
Kaiten: change direction 180 degrees
Irimi-ashi: Step forward
Yoko-ashi: Step to the side
Okuri-ashi: Step forward, front leg leading
Tenkan: Full turn-Paired exercise
Han-tenkan: Half-small turn
Sokumen: Step to the side and turn-Paired exercise
Ushiro-sokumen: Step back and turn-Paired exercise
Irimi-sokumen: Diagonal step forward, side turn
Irimi-tenkan: Step forward, full turn-Paired exercise
Irimi hantenkan: Step diagonally forward, small turn-Paired exercise
Three attacks exercise
Part 4 Kihon waza
Practice recommendations
1 Ikkyo
Kosa dori ikkyo omote #1
Kosa dori ikkyo ura #1
Shomen uchi ikkyo omote #1
Shomen uchi ikkyo ura #1
Jodan tsuki ikkyo omote
Jodan tsuki ikkyo ura
Katate dori ikkyo omote #1
Katate dori ikkyo ura #1
Chudan tsuki ikkyo omote
Chudan tsuki ikkyo ura
Kosa dori ikkyo ura #2
Chudan tsuki ikkyo ura #2
2 Nikyo
Kosa dori nikyo omote
Kosa dori nikyo ura
Shomen uchi nikyo omote
Shomen uchi nikyo ura
Katate dori nikyo omote
Katate dori nikyo ura
Yokomen uchi nikyo omote
Yokomen uchi nikyo ura
3 Sankyo
Kosa dori sankyo omote
Kosa dori sankyo ura
Shomenuchi sankyo omote
Shomen uchi sankyo ura
Jodan tsuki sankyo omote
Jodan tsuki sankyo ura
Katate dori sankyo omote #1
Katate dori sankyo ura #1
Yokomen uchi sankyo omote
Yokomen uchi sankyo ura
Katate dori sankyo omote #2
Katate dori sankyo ura #2
Yokomen uchi sankyo omote
Chudan tsuki sankyo omote
4 Irimi nage
Kosa dori irimi nage #1
Shomen uchi irimi nage #1
Kosa dori iriminage #2
Shomen uchi irimi nage #2
Katate dori irimi nage #1
Yokomen uchi irimi nage #1
Katate dori irimi nage #2
Yokomen uchi irimi nage #2
Katate dori irimi nage #3
Chudan tsuki iriminage #1
Kosa dori irimi nage #3
Chudan tsuki irimi nage #2
Kosa dori irimi nage #4
Jodan tsuki irimi nage
5 Shiho nage
Kosa dori shiho nage #1
Shomenuchi shiho nage
Jodan tsuki shiho nage
Katate dori shiho nage #1
Yokomen uchi shiho nage #1
Katate dori shiho nage #2
Yokomen uchi shiho nage #2
Katate dori shiho nage #3
Chudan tsuki shiho nage
6 Kote gaeshi
Kosa dori kote gaeshi #1
Shomen uchi kote gaeshi
Jodan tsuki kote gaeshi
Katate dori kote gaeshi #1
Yokomen uchi kote gaeshi #1
Katate dori kote gaeshi #2
Yokomen uchi kote gaeshi #2
Kosa dori kote gaeshi #2
Chudan tsuki kote gaeshi
7 Kokyu nage
Kosa dori kokyu nage #1
Shomenuchi kokyu nage
Jodan tsuki kokyu nage
Katate dori kokyu nage #1
Yokomen uchi kokyu nage #1
Katate dori kokyu nage #2
Yokomen uchi kokyu nage #2
Katate dori kokyu nage #3
Chudan tsuki kokyu nage #1
Glossary

Show Less