Hamilton Ki Aikido
35 Perthshire Court L9B2H1 Hamilton, ON, Canada

If you’re social distancing and you don’t have an available partner who also practices Aikido and you decide to use whomever you find at home. Please take it easy on them...

Not sure that by the time this damn Covid-19 is over and I’m back on the mat I’m going to remember how to tie this thing.

Sadly, we are cancelling all of the September and October courses, because of the pandemic. Hopefully, we will be able to restart in November, but that obviously depends on how the the situation changes. Try and continue some sort of exercise at home and stay safe.

Reminiscing about times when practicing Aikido was with an actual living partner and included physical contact, made me categorize types of bad Ukes as I experi...enced it. The Brute - The aggressive uke who will hold as tightly as he can, or strike as forcefully as he can, disregarding his partner's situation. More than just being intimidating to a smaller or less experienced nage, it’s totally insensitive and irresponsible. The Pacifist - This uke will not give his partner an honest attack to work with, for fear of injuring others. The Dishonest - The uke that falls down for their partner in response to a weakly-applied technique. They offer no real resistance and they just let themselves be thrown. When working with a new student this is a good type of uke to be, but when working with a more experienced nage it can be perceived as condescending or as a lack of attention. The Blocker - Because they can?...

So with social distancing we did a high grade class outside in the the backyard. Very different without our gi's and lack of jo's (broomstick handle had to do!).... I remember when I use to do Kung Fu back when I was a teenager and the Sensei would make us run in the park and it took me back to those days (although even then our Sensei made us run barefoot on the grass with a gi!). So we adapt now to ensure we social distance and get our fix of aikido! Good to feel the earth beneath our feet and also feel the connection with our club members. As Sensei Hughes reminded us last week. We are part of something bigger and as such it gives us a connection and makes us feel connected at a time when connection feels distance. Thank you to my students for being you. See more

amazing sword dance

Munadori - Modified for non-contact training.

Corona Maai As Sven Radde commented last week...If you are hit by a Jo, you are too close. So true! Thanks Sven!

Coronavirus and Aikido Courses http://ow.ly/aGam50yLdYs #aikido #kiaikido

Meanwhile off the mat... Wishing everyone a happy 2020!

An introduction to Koichi Tohei (10th dan) From our new Ki Aikido course. Written by Christopher Li, produced by Roy Dean. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2EtOdm0

They ALL hurt! Each in its own special way. Yes... Sankyo also hurts, and yes, Yonkyo is painful as hell (and a spectacular bruse maker), and Rokyo and Gokyo and Kote-Gaeshi, etc. They all hurt! Which one hurts the most?.... Whichever one applied on my wrist/arm/elbow/shoulder!...

Aikido Intro #372 - The Art of Peace Injury Chart All personally tested for your convenience :) ...Make sure not to overexert your body. Even older persons should not injure themselves... -From O sensei’s 1938 Training Manual. (Translated by Mark L. Larson)