Happy Halloween

We here at the Sanbukan Dojo hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Orange is the color of fall

Last night were treated to another test. Patty was sucessfully rewarded her Orange Belt or Rokkyū (六級).

The test started off a bit wobbly but that is very common in the lower ranks. She did however do very well with the Osotogari (大外刈).

Well done Patty!

For those who are not familiar with the Osotogari:

In right-side Osotogari, tori (person performing the technique) steps next to uke (person taking the fall) with his left leg and reaps uke's right leg (at the back of the knee or below) with his right leg. Causing the uke to fall quickly backward and hard to the mat.

Up and over

Today Sensei had us working on Koshi-waza (腰技): hip throwing techniques. He has developed a series of hip throws and reversals.

To say it was an energetic class would be an understatement.

3 or more

Today's class really got the heart pumping. We worked primarily on Randori. Everyone did great, we tried to demonstrate how the simple techniques we teach beginners can be applied to many different attacks.

For those of you who don't know the definition of Randori:

Randori (乱取り) is a term used in Aikido to describe free-style practice or sparring, usually with multiple attackers. The term literally means "chaos taking" or "grasping freedom," implying a freedom from the structured practice of kata.

A nice early start

It was nice to have so many students on the mat and ready to go right on time today. Sensei greeted the class with a smile and we had another great lesson.

Let's keep it up!

Better late then never...

Never better late!


Sensei Mits gave the class a stern talking to this morning about people arriving late to class. The class times are:
Tuesday and Thursday 7:30pm
Saturday 10:30am

Too many people are strolling in about 1/2hr to an hour late. We will never turn you away, but please always try to be on time! Otherwise classes will be pushed back to a later time.

More time to play on the mats anyway, who can argue?

A gentle reminder

Last Tuesday while doing our warm-up excerises we were reminded of the reasons we study this wonderful art. An art that teaches love against your aggressor. We all simply laughed it off and continued our study.

Always remember...

New Blog

Well the old server decided it wasn't going to make it through the year. As a result the Sanbukan Dojo has moved to this new public blog. I have saved all the old entries for archival purposes but I have no intention of posting it. Its more for people asking things like, When did Gary test for Black Belt? That sort of thing.

So when one technique doesn't work, you just roll right into another. Just like in Aikido. I'm sure I'll post more current events on this one because it's more convienent to do it from my mobile.

Speaking of current events, Art and DC both tested for Orange belt last Thursday and passed with ease. Way to go you guys!

See you at the Dojo