Staiduk Sensei

[Staiduk]

'Lo!
Sorry; this forum is supposed to be for showing off photographic artwork but please bear with me - I want to crow about my own art for a while.

I am proud to announce that my new dojo, Great Wave Aikido is now in operation! We just had our first class as a separate dojo this evening.

I've been training in the fighting arts for about 25 years now. Most of that taken up as a soldier/unarmed combat instructor with the Canadian Armed Forces. After I retired (medical) from the Army; I took up traditional martial arts as a way to keep my skills up and learn more.

The vast majority of what I know quite frankly involves killing people - something I don't ever want to have to do ever again. So I began studying aikido - an internal, highly effective and strictly defensive martial art. Over the past few years I've been taking what I've learned at K-W Ki Aikido and made it my own - keeping the softness, grace and peaceful intent of the Ki Society and blending it with the swift effectiveness required for modern real-world defense. The result is what I call Great Wave Aikido.

Last year I began discussing with my teacher (Sensei) about opening up my own school to teach Great Wave. Initially hesitant, she later agreed - and became my first student. Several members of our dojo followed (since I hold my classes in the same gym but on different days) so I was lucky enough to start off with a student base already in place.

Today was Great Wave's first 'official' day of operation - I gave my camera to one of my students and let him snap away. (Most of these pics were taken by Joel, Jill (my teacher)'s son. Typical 16 year old with a wacky sense of humour.)

Here's how it went.

Showing up for first class. Jill, Joel and Paul hanging out the windows. (Yes - first day and I'm late. Go figure!) The club's in a gym in an old factory. Cheap rent, great place to train - very open.

The way up - this is the Great Wave cardio program.

The subject is very serious, but I'm not. I make my classes fun and interesting. My uke is Fraser - who looks way younger than his 56 years.


Demonstrating the first technique of the day - katate-tori ude-kiri oroshi. Fraser's about to go flyyyyyyyyyying.....

One way I differ from other Senseis - due to my Army background; 'good enough' is never good enough. I demand strict attention and make damn sure they understand why a technique works; not just how to do it.


Joel's been with me long enough to know: when he gets this look; it's time to shut up. That's Jill, his Mom - my teacher in Ki Aikdio - beside me.

Demonstrating an over-the-shoulder destabilization with Chris, our resident jock, as uke.
Chris is your typical 'What If Monkey' - one who constantly interrupts with doubts and questions about a technique's effectiveness. He'll often try to make me fail by trying to outmuscle me or fight back. Aikido's not about muscle though - it's about positioning, leverage and movement. So........

...if he wants to fight; that's perfectly OK with me!
(Note the evil grin. )

The rest of the pics are here.

[beaky]

Cool stuff. Funny, just yesterday I was thinking I really have to figure out a way to make time for at least a couple of classes a week at my old kung fu "temple"... I left that school years ago due to schedule conflicts with work. I've gotta do something soon- I don't really work out at home, as I do much better with someone yelling at me. And I'm smoking again, and in pretty lousy shape.
These pictures make me really miss the fun and discipline of martial arts... and it'd be great to get back in shape! They have a similar cardio workout at Alan Lee's: after running in place for about 20 minutes, everybody jogs over to the water fountain, then with a mouthful of water, they all run down and back up 8 flights of stairs, without swallowing the water. They do a lot of old-school Shaolin-type stuff there; horse stance with cinderblocks on the arms, etc. Beginners don't even throw a punch for the first month or so- it's all about getting the body ready.  Needless to say, I was in the best shape of my life back then, and despite the rough workouts and lumps and bruises from sparring, I'd leave class super-energized.
I also figured I'd post some pics if and when I go back... who knows?
Best of luck to your dojo!

[Craig.]

makes me want to go back to judo. Cool shots, looks like a lot of fun.

[Staiduk]

Thanks guys.

Rotty: Kung-Fu is a great MA! Haven't taken it myself; I'm too old, broken and out of shape for it. I love KF's focus though; as a very physical internal art - and its strength as a very personal, individual style. 20 years ago I might have taken it myself.
As for getting back into it; I suggest just do it. The hardest part of starting (or re-starting) something is not in deciding you want to; it's actually picking up the phone and calling. So just call.
Or if you're worried about being out of shape; you can always try something different and start Aikido....

Craig: Same thing. I have studied Judo; Judo and Aikido complement each other beautifully. Hint hint...

Cheers!

[Craig.]

As for getting back into it; I suggest just do it. The hardest part of starting (or re-starting) something is not in deciding you want to; it's actually picking up the phone and calling. So just call

more to do with the fact i am having a knee op in just over a week. might go sign up after i am healed up.

Or if you're worried about being out of shape; you can always try something different and start Aikido....

i am 6'1 bean pole who lifts weights alot, not so much worried about being out of shape, its more the fact no matter how good the technique or strength its useless if some 25 stone blob looking to get fit is sitting on top of you.

[beaky]

Now I've stuck it out; I guess I gotta do it. I might go sit in on a class this coming week; see if it's still as good a school as I remember.
I'm not scared of a good Shaolin-style sweat-  I'm a slob now, but I was in even worse shape when I started kung-fu about ten years ago (working nights and working and partying too much!!), and I survived the tearing down/ rebuilding process.
 But the old frame has over 40 years on it now, and I haven't even been stretching. I'll have to take it slow, and concentrate on the cardio benefits and meditation.  If I do go back to A. Lee's, I know they'll let me work more or less at my own pace. Who knows? Might even quit smoking for a few years, just like the last time!