Aikido at Home
In the Dojo Volume 2 Issue 3
By Josh Paul Sensei, AOSB head instructor
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many classes and activities ranging from individual instrument lessons, to sing-a- longs, drag queen story times, yoga and dance classes, etc., have begun delivering their services online. These pursuits lend themselves to individual, solo viewing and practice. Aikido, however, is unique. It is intentionally designed to be practiced with other people.
Aikido has no forms. Unlike many traditional arts, we do not practice empty-hand solo kata (forms), and in our dojo’s standard curriculum there are only four solo weapons kata. Although we use consistently expressed forms (kihon waza, fundamental technique) as a method of transmitting information, in practice these techniques—even the most basic—are in constant flux and change, always adjusting to an attacker’s body type, intensity, and style of attack. As O’sensei says in the quote above, the forms are provisional. The practice is applying them to the circumstances. There is no solo practice that we can conveniently streamed into your living room. Read more…