Solo Practice, Happo Giri

Sometimes just the instructor shows up for class… 🙃

A cold (not COVID!) runs rampant through the dojo members, leaving them coughing and exhausted at home in bed. 🤧 What’s a person to do as a solo participant? Pack it up and go home? No way! These are the times for solo weapons practice, bokken and jo suburi, kumi jo, and that basics favorite, happo giri. 😊

Below is a video I made back in May of 2020 when we still didn’t know much about COVID and practicing outdoors was our only option. 😷 For your consideration, happo giri…

—Stephanie

Eight Direction Cut (Happo Giri) is a basic aikido weapons exercise practiced with wooden sword (bokken). It teaches stance, striking, thrusting, moving from one's center, and a state of relaxed awareness (zanshin).

First Week at the Beach House

We just wrapped up our first week of classes at the Beach House, and we're getting into the swing of transporting and setting up the mats.

The autumn weather is perfect right now in Pine Lake, and we're taking advantage by training on the screen porch to the sound of hooting owls, and startled turtles splashing into the lake after we do a loud, rousing round of funakogi undo!

Please check out the Events page for the latest info on MAF Summer Camp 2025, save the date!

—Stephanie

Saturday Morning Coffee

I'm enjoying my morning coffee, then dog walking, then a day of mask making. No aikido class today.

Yesterday's Weapons at Dawn—Gary and I reviewed Saito Sensei’s 20 jo suburi, and continued working on the 13-count jo kata, plus the first 19 movements of the 31-count jo kata.

As a prelude to class by the lake, a kingfisher, with a wild rattling call, dive-bombed an owl, chasing it away from it's territory.

Friday family aikido class was super fun. Gilbert lead class…ryotetori attack, lots of high energy practice!

—Stephanie

PS: Lol, setting up the new blog page took way more time than I expected :/