THE KODO BLOG

I've been getting antsy lately about the ocean.  Like Albert Finney in Big Fish, I feel like I'm starting to "dry out" - I've been out of the water for too long.  Last Thursday, I went surfing for the first time in years.  It got me thinking about the last time I was out sailing - which has also been a few years.  If you click on this text, you'll see a short video from a few years ago aboard a Newport 30 a couple miles off the coast of Long beach

I remember teaching meditation and weapons training at OC Aikikai - years ago.  One day, we had a visit from a guest instructor at the dojo who was also a high rank Kendoka.  He asked if I did any sparring with swords.  I said, "sure".  There were some padded type shinai so we used those.  One of my students filmed some of the sparring.  Click on this text to see that film footage.

I've included a short demonstration of the use of intention (Nen in Japanese), energy (Ki) and the redirection of force.  Uke was Aikido Master Mohanad Al Kabi.  Watching was 95 year old 10th dan Judo Grandmaster (and Black Belt Hall of Fame member) Sid Hallburn.   Click on the text and Enjoy!  

Awara is 6'4" and about 360 lbs when he went up against the redman.  I told everyone - NO PUNCHES!  OPEN HAND STRIKES ONLY!!!  Awara did not listen.  He broke the knuckle of his right hand index finger.

That's me on the left side - all you can really see is me executing a seoi otoshi on the redman's left leg - which is actually airborne in this pic.  They said it was the fastest take down they had seen.  I just knew that I was going up against the biggest guy they could cram into heavy, full-contact redman armour.  I knew he was going to be top heavy.  ...the bigger they are...