Rick Wolslayer, Ni-dan in Nihan Goshin Aikido taught the seminar. It lasted
three hours and started with a review of basic rolling and falling
techniques, emphasizing the disbursement of energy as you made contact with
the ground. We then moved on to blending, learning how to use your
opponents energy without adding your to it. We started with kotegashi,
slowly blending with your uke and taking him down. As we became more
comfortable, we started moving a little faster and learned not to over
anticipate the strike, but to move with it. From there we moved to working
on nikyo using a bokken. We used the handle of the bokken to secure the
wrist while applying the technique. After a 15 min break, we learned various
gun disarms. Sensei emphasized that while these techniques can work, they
are to be used if you are sure that giving up your valuables would not save
your life. We worked disarms from a gun pointed to your head, chest and
under your throat. The seminar ended with 10 minutes of randori with Sensei
and another shodan at the seminar.
Students enjoyed the seminar. Nihan Goshin Aikido did not come directly
from O'sensei and as such, the students saw different ways to apply
techniques they have already learned. Everyone is eagerly awaiting sensei
wolslayer's return.
