Aikido Weekend Course Report
October 2003
Following the success of our January course, the Brighton Kai Shin Kai once
again invited Sensei Bernard Harding (5th Dan NAF National Coach) to lead a
weekend course on the 18th and 19th of October 2003. The course was
attended by students from Bristol, Cardiff and Chichester as well as our own
students.
On Saturday Sensei Harding opened the course with tai-no-henka practice,
adding an extra tenkan on the end, emphasizing balance, posture and a connection
with uke. This set the tone for the afternoons training, starting with standard
tachiwaza and moving onto bokken work in groups of two, and towards the end of
the day, groups of three. Most of the techniques Sensei Harding demonstrated
were performed using happogiri, a movement that
would be explored more fully on Sunday.
After training, we met up in Hove for a drink before moving on to the Lum
Thai restaurant for a very pleasant meal. The remaining stragglers then went
back to the pub for another drink before calling it a night.
Sunday's training centred around Ushiro work, again using happogiri to place
yourself in the correct position in regard to uke, using one movement. Sensei
Harding was also keen to point out the importance of keeping your hands along
your centre line and aligning your body behind them, allowing the power of your
stance to naturally come through.
All in all, the course was very well received with Sensei Harding providing
some excellent tuition. There was a good atmosphere on both days and everybody
had a an enjoyable weekend, helped by the wonderful food and drinks organised by
Mike and Elizabeth.
The Brighton Kai Shin Kai would like to thank everyone who attended and we
hope we will see you all again soon.
Steve Woods
Club Secretary
If you would like to read brief summary of our January 2003 course, also
taken by Sensei Bernard Harding, please click
here.
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