No-contact Basic Aikido Techniques #1 - With Jo

Many Aikido schools are planning for phased options during the progress of the COVID19 pandemic, and are looking for training options in between "solo practice" and "full-contact regular keiko." This video shows our exploration of basic, relatively standard Aikido techniques performed with no direct physical contact between uke and nage, by only allowing contact at different ends of a jo (staff). For this video, the "nage" half of the staff has been marked with red tape, to help maintain some level of social distancing. This enables physical training with ukemi and exploration of principles of offbalancing, distance, timing, position, and blending - and combined with masks, constant hand sanitization, and other sterilization policies, might be a safe intermediary way to "get back on the mat!" We also find this jo-dori training gives direct insight to open-hand technique, so training this way is time well spent - and fun.
This training also has implications for weapon takeaway and weapon retention training.
This video (#1) covers:
- Katatedori Sumiotoshi (corner throw - note - due to autocorrect two of the title screens say "Karatedori". Have a good laugh at the typo, and please forgive the mistake!)
- Katatedori Shihonage (4-corner throw)
- Kosadori Kotegaeshi (returning wrist throw)
- Kosadori Iriminage (entering throw)
It's not our intention to say that this training is completely safe or completely compliant with social distancing regulations. Rather, we wanted to share an intermediate alternative between traditional keiko and complete social distancing for the dojos that are looking for options to plan different phases of training relative to their local conditions and level of caution. At our dojo, we practice with masks, we mark our jos with red tape to encourage "my side / your side" of the weapons, and we sterilize weapons frequently during class (we have a wipe down station next to the mat). This is in addition to considerable other precautions that we take including daily surface and mat sterilization, daily air sterilization using an industrial ozone generator, and a in-AC peroxide/UV air sterilizer to sanitize the air during training.
Of course, you train at your own risk and we make no claims that this provides complete protection against transmission of the coronavirus or other airborne pathogens. Train with safety and sense!
Instructor: Sensei Guy Hagen
Assistants: Patrick Morse and Vanessa Crompton
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The ASU Aikido Chuseikan of Tampa Bay dojo is affiliated with the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and Aikido World Headquarters, and provides quality adult and family martial arts instruction in Tampa, Florida.
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