Dear Uke, You are the Ink!

Taking Ukemi - You are the Ink
by Suzane Van Amburgh

Do you take ukemi the same way on a person's kyu test that you do in regular class?

When a person tests, he or she is performing specific forms as clearly as that candidate can. The test is a time to demonstrate one's understanding and embodiment of the principles of aikido. As uke, your job is to reflect clearly what the practitioner is demonstrating.

The format of the kyu test usually requires the candidate to perform certain classic techniques in their most basic and fundamental form. We have a clear, published curriculum; the Birankai North America kyu guidelines. A 5th kyu test includes a specific list of techniques to perform. As the student progresses more complexity and knowledge of variations is expected. However, in the lower kyu ranks we set a pretty clear expectation of exactly what techniques they can expect to have to perform.

As uke, on a person's test, your job is to move with them wherever they go. It's not about you; it's not about what you think is right or correct. This is not a time to lead them or "help" them. Launch a clear and accurate attack and then your body should provide a clear reflection of their movement (to the best of your ability).


Nage is an artist, wielding a brush. You are the ink stuck to the end of that brush. Wherever your foot falls on the mat, wherever your body makes contact with the mat, is the resulting art; the calligraphy or the lines and splotches reflecting that artist's intention and technique.


If the artist hesitates, will the witnesses see that hesitation in the wobble of your back foot? How clearly can you follow their movement while still taking care of yourself in the motion? The term ukemi comes from the verb ukeru; to receive or accept. Accept your partner's movement.

If your nage does something unexpected, will you be there - all parts ready and willing to go in the direction they take you? This is the best service you can provide to your fellow dojo member and to the teachers watching the test.

Try out the same approach in regular class. We practice in many ways and we provide different kinds of "nutrition" to our practice partners. However, ask yourself, as you accept their technique, are you the ink?

Rolling sequence video for aikido practice and teaching

Beginning Aikido students are often introduced to rolling practice in their first week on the mat. The experience of getting down on the ground and coming up again is fundamental and yet also instinctive. New students have so much going on mentally, emotionally and physically as they begin a new movement practice.

Small rolls, sometimes called "Bucky Ball" rolls or "baby rolls" offer teachers a rich opportunity to orient the new student, practice learning skills, foster attention skills and give them something they can do successfully and improve upon quickly.

For more senior students, the practice serves as a mental and physical warm up, calming the nervous system and relaxing the body.

Bringing attention to what you do and how you do it, matching your breathing to your movement and varying your intention in movement are all excellent ways to prepare yourself for aikido practice.

In this quiet (no-talking) video, Suzane Van Amburgh Sensei demonstrates a rolling practice sequence useful for all levels, from beginner to senior student.  It begins with orientation to the relative position of body parts, rocking left and right. It progresses through use of weight shifts, finding the natural levers and counterbalances of the body, smooth transitions from sitting to side lying and up to sitting again. By the end of the video, the roll has evolved to advanced sequences requiring clear intention, core conditioning, good body control and awareness of the space around you.

Let this post serve as a reference tool and "cliff notes" for aikidoists in your regular rolling practice.

If rolling is new to you, don't try this alone. Come to the dojo or schedule a private lesson with a certified aikido teacher.

Suzane Van Amburgh, shidoin, Multnomah Aikikai

Rolling sequence 5:37 recorded 2015

Trouble viewing the video? Here's the link to the video shared on google:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B71m_xdJDqYvekVBdnVSR3lBYXM/view?usp=sharing

Our members featured in Apodaca Sensei seminar videos and articles

1. Article by our own Sanders Anderson was published in Biran Nov 1, 2015. Post includes video of Apodaca Sensei teaching at our dojo October 24, 2015 and Sanders' seminar report.


Read the article and see the video on Biran:
http://birankai.org/blog/?p=1069

2. In this video clip from the seminar, Apodaca Sensei teaches a point about taking ukemi. Uke is Greg Corbin, 1st kyu, Multnomah Aikikai.

Click to view video clip: Oct 2015 Seminar Apodaca Sensei

Trouble seeing the video above? View it at this link (updated 11/29/15):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B71m_xdJDqYvNlJxNEVzRGlEVGM/view?usp=sharing

Aikido and Iaido seminar with Frank Apodaca Sensei October 23-25, 2015

Thanks to all who came to our seminar with Frank Apodaca Sensei October 23-25, 2015

Apodaca Sensei seminar Oct. 2015 at Multnomah Aikikai

This photo can be viewed at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_EvkmlfoxglSVF3WVFLajBnTGM/view


Congratulations to Jon Paul Oliva on passing his Fukushidoin teacher certification test!

Here's a video of Apodaca Sensei working with Jon Paul, Saturday, on a "basic and beautiful practice" - makiotoshi!




Video can also be viewed at this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_EvkmlfoxglZUNTMWRla2hTd0k/view?usp=sharing

Why seminar attendance is important - video from Birankai North America

October 23-25 Multnomah Aikikai hosts a seminar with Frank Apodaca Sensei!

Hear why seminars are important. These interviews were conducted during a seminar held at Eugene Aikikai. See if you recognize any of our dojo members on the mat!

Is the video frame not working? Click this link to view the video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/EUhiptpDCQU

Seminars are at Multnomah Aikikai come but once a year (with a few exceptions). Apodaca sensei will teach a children class and a iaido  class on Friday; adult body arts and weapons classes on Saturday and Sunday. Apodaca sensei is the chair of the Examining Committee for Birankai North America, he is is Chief Instructor of his own dojo in North Carolina and he served as the Chief Instructor of Multnomah Aikikai 1995-2000. October 2015 marks Apodaca sensei's 30 years practicing aikido!

Come celebrate, be in the dojo, help out, observe classes and/or train!

Check the weekend class schedule and view details about the seminar on our seminar page:
seminar with Frank Apodaca Sensei

Free Introduction to the Art and Practice of Aikido Oct. 3

Join us for the Aikido Appetizer Saturday October 3rd

Aikido Appetizer Oct. 3

Download a printable flyer:

 https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B430gEINcl_VT0pJWEctMldBV2JtWnp5a0VROU13eFhqZXpn

FB users can share the new posting on our FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/MultnomahAikikai?fref=nf

Google plus users can share our Appetizer info page on Dojo News:

http://multnomahaikikai.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html

Eventbrite site link:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/aikido-appetizer-tickets-18550343577?aff=es2

Catch up on the videos, photos and great articles on Biran Online

Catch up on the videos, photos and great articles from our Birankai 2015 Summer Camp in Tacoma Washington.


My First Aikido Camp is a wonderful article by Meghan McCoy, a student from Oak Park Aikikai.

Senseis Darrell Bluhm and Frank Apodaca 2015

Article excerpt: 

For me, particularly since I’m still very new in Aikido, every class had something new to learn. Familiar techniques, such a katatedori suwariwaza ikkyo, had to be approached differently because I was practicing with someone I’d never met, and so I had to learn how to move in a way that worked with them. The weapons classes were immensely beneficial, especially Frank Apodaca Sensei’s weapons class. He emphasized cultivating “the eyes to see,” which I took as meaning not just watching and stealing the technique, but also seeing and feeling the energy with which someone moves. I once read that proper form is essential, but without technique and heart put into the form it’s all mechanical, and much of what I believe Aikido to be is lost.

Full article: http://birankai.org/blog/?p=1028

From the August 19th post, scroll down and enjoy the posts! 

There's a link to the Birankai Smugmug site with great camp photos...

Check out the wonderful videos tracing back to the first day of camp. Here's one from George Lyons Sensei's class; katatedori, ai hanmi iriminage chudan opening. Along with Lyons Sensei's movement, watch how his ukes move:

Here's a video of Neilu Naini Sensei of Clallam Aikikai in Washington, teaching an outdoor weapons class. Observe her clean execution of tsuki makiotoshi:

There's much more to see, watch and read on Biran Online.

Be sure to subscribe to Biran Online. It's the Aikido Journal of Birankai North America.

Follow your own Dojo News!  When you subscribe with your email address, you'll receive a notification in your inbox whenever a new article is posted.

-Suzane Van Amburgh, Chief Instructor, Aikido Multnomah Aikikai