Increased Video Sizes Mar 10, 2010

Videos are now larger by default. The encoding algorithm for new locally-hosted videos will be the high-quality H.264 codec. It should be easier and more enjoyable to watch them from within our site. Enjoy.

Congratulations Mar 08, 2010

Congratulations to Andy Morton, Eric Draken and Kanae Ueda for passing our ikkyu, nikyu and gokyu tests, respectively, on March 6th, 2010. We all worked hard for our tests and helped each other get ahead. We learned from each other by contributing to this site, collecting videos, and writing about our techniques and experiences. This has been the first successful use of this site.

We would also like to express our profound gratitude to our friends at Calgary Aikikai for helping all of us prepare for our tests.

Added Tags Mar 08, 2010

We journal about many senseis around the world, so it would be nice to tag our entries with their names. That is exactly what has been added to this site.

Now, when you make a new journal entry, feel free to enter the name of the teacher who helped you, or the shihan in the video you have posted, etc. There is a new box called ‘Post Tags’. This is totally optional!

Video Preview Images Mar 02, 2010

After much work, preview images of video clips are now displayed in entries that have them. If a visitor is not logged in, they will just be able to see a preview image of a locally hosted video.

Separated out the ‘randori’ category Feb 19, 2010

Due to recent training, it was advised to split up randori into its two major types and add those to the poise classifier.

Randori literally means ‘disorganized grabbing’ and can be one person attacking at a time or multiple people at a time. For shodan tests there is always a component of randori (also called taninzu-gake if there are multiple attackers). This usually follows the static taninzu-dori.

Taninzu-dori means ‘multiple-person hold’. For example, futari-dori is two people holding Nage, san-nin-dori is three people holding Nage, and so forth. These are both specific examples of the non-specific taninzu-dori.

Usually on tests it is written ‘randori jiyuwaza‘ which means that multiple attackers will charge Nage and Nage is free to choose his defense waza. Again, this is probably after a few taninzu-dori demonstrations.

Igarashi Sensei’s Seminar Video Clips Feb 18, 2010

I have just uploaded about 12 video clips taken on the third day of Igarasahi Sensei’s seminar (Feb. 14th, 2010). Enjoy!

‘Akurei’ category is now visible to members only Feb 15, 2010

Sometimes we come across videos of techniques where the nage is wide open and susceptible to kicks to the groin, punches to the ribs or neck, etc. Sometimes we ourselves make mistakes in class and we fall down hard, or Sensei can vet a vulnerability to show us that we are open. These are highly valuable learning tools, and by analyzing them we can become stronger and more confident in ourselves.

However, the casual visitor to our site might not immediately appreciate something that could be perceived as criticism, especially when a famous figure is analyzed through a critical eye. For this reason, from now on all entries that contain the category ‘akurei‘ (examples of mistakes) are visible to logged-in members of this site only.

New Feature! Feb 11, 2010

Logged-in members can now leave private comments and feedback on new journal entries. For example, say I write a beautiful post and there are a few spelling errors; I would want to know about this (or if even if you just like what I wrote). If you are logged in and you are reading my entry, at the bottom there may be a feedback box where you can tell me about something like this. Now, these comments are private and hidden from other members. Only the author of that journal entry can view the comments on the administration side of the journal. I said there may be a feedback box. This is because an author may choose to disable feedback (there is a check box option for this at the bottom of new posts). Enjoy!

‘Add Compliment’ Button Feb 09, 2010

There is a category called Compliments that you can assign a journal entry. What is this? Well, when someone tells you that did something good, or that you have come along way, or that you are improving, you can journal that too. It’s totally private and hidden from everyone else. At times in your Aikido career you may feel like giving up or stalling. When that happens, it will feel great to look at your own personal list of past compliments to find strength from them. In the admin page when you log in, there is a link under Posts called Add Compliment. Click this and start journaling your happy moments along the Way.

Viewing Select Content Feb 07, 2010

The Internet is a great place to share knowledge and ideas. With Aikido learning, it has opened many doors and has brought the past into the present, forever. Our goal with this site is to have students from all walks of life documenting their Way as they walk their own path. Some students have breakthroughs and can benefit others by putting into words, pictures and videos what they have discovered and understand. Others will have a winding path, but it will be scenic.

Toward the goal of helping everyone who wants to better themselves at Aikido, we kindly ask that everyone contribute to our knowledge base. Starting today, each member needs to contribute at least 2 entries to the journal for the privilege of viewing our private (and sometimes embarrassing!) videos. Since we are baring ourselves to you, we politely ask that you do the same. :)