Sleeping Storm Aikido - Tomiki Aikido - JU NANA HON (Basic 17 Techniques) Randori no Kata

Aikido - A Path To Focus And Direction
EIGHT DIRECTIONS
BASIC INDIVIDUAL EXERCISE - Eight directions to move your body - Unsuko BASIC PAIR EXERCISE - Eight directions to move your partner - Kuzushi ADVANCED PAIR EXERCISE - Eight directions to throw your partner - Tsukuri


FIVE BASIC HAND BLADE EXERCISES
These exercises are expansions of the smaller movements that might be used in Randori. Each exercise is first demonstrated without Uke in order to highlight the action. When practiced partnered, emphasis should be placed on continuous and smooth movement. The aim is to promote good balance and posture and to develop power in the movement by correctly focusing the whole body. These exercises reinforce the basic hand and foot movements, but in a dynamic way. When demonstrated with a partner they show the true beauty of Aikido, and form part of the basic exercises for martial artists - Budo Taiso.
inside sweep		outside sweep

uchi mawashi	major sweep	soto mawashi

outside turn	o mawashi	inside turn

soto gaeshi		uchi gaeshi

BUDO TAISO Exercises for martial artists
The name ‘Judo Taiso’ was the original given by Professor Tomiki. This is not appropriate because these exercises not only apply to Judo but also are applicable to all martial arts. ‘Budo Taiso’ is perhaps more fitting? The original name cannot be changed but the real meaning of Tomiki’s teaching should be understood and followed.

The Japanese character ‘bu’ as in ‘bushido’ consists of the character meaning ‘to stop’. Therefore the real meaning of bushido is not ‘to fight’ but ‘to stop using weapons and to stop fighting’. This is the message that should be read from his teachings. The implementation of good basics is important. These do not and must not change. To keep good principles and to strive to improve one's own bad habits and bad movements is imperative. As the basics are learnt, they should be applied to other and more advanced techniques gradually. The teachers should teach this to students and encourage them to be gentle to each other. Our reason for studying Aikido should be for self-development and to learn how to and about helping others and to a lesser extent to fight with each other. All must enjoy what Aikido gives.