I have always known that the main line of Aikido does not focus on effective techniques. Recently I have discovered that the headquarters dojo deliberately changed how techniques were executed in order to spread Aikido around the world. This frustrated the founder of Aikido, perhaps causing him to develop a cancer. One day a student asked O'Sensei about the effectiveness of the techniques. In a fit of frustration O'Sensei told him, "The Aikido being taught here in Tokyo is for exercise. My Aikido is for the battlefield. If you want to learn my Aikido go to Iwama and learn from Saito."
He was referring to Morihiro Saito Sensei. He was the teacher of three of the teachers I started Aikido under. I managed to get the Navy to send me to Japan so I could study with him as well. I also studied with his son Hitohiro Saito for three years on the south side of Tokyo.
Being stationed nearer to Yokohama I also trained with Nishio Sensei on a number of nights. My advancements came from Nishio Sensei who also advocated strong, effective, fast techniques. I teach the Iwama Style as a foundation and the Nishio Style as advanced for flow and speed. Nishio Style is more complex. I have been so fortunate to study the two styles of Aikido that maintain a sense of Budo (martial way) while the main line of Aikido has chosen to maintain an exercise way.
ADULT CLASSES
Sundays...............................Weapons..........(Boken, Jo, Bo, Iaido).....................2:00-3:30pm Sundays...........................Split Mat - Basic & Advanced Styles...........................3:30-5:00pm
Mondays.............................Split Mat - Basic & Advanced Styles........................5:30-6:30pm
Wednesdays .......................Split Mat - Basic & Advanced Styles........................5:30-6:30pm
Thursdays.............................Weapons........(Boken, Jo, Bo, Iaido).......................6:30-7:30pm Thursdays.................FREE..(Community Service night Open to all)...FREE....5:30-6:30pm
Classes may be paid for at the dojo (cash or check) or online, via the Aikido Lessons Store page under Classes. I am teaching high quality Aikido. I explain in great detail so you learn a lot but you won 't realize this until you go somewhere else and experience what others are learning. The goal of going to Japan was to bring high quality Aikido back to Florida. You can get to above average in a year. Black belt takes minimum 3 years if you are committed to coming often. Normally it will take 5-7 years, but you will know the quality here immediately if you practice in another Aikido Dojo. Average people quit too soon. The above average get to black belt similar to Eagle Scout attainment. 1st Deg to 3rd Deg black belt is learning in depth techniques. 3rd Deg and above is training the mind. Average students become above average with patient persistence and perseverance. They set a goal and work hard to attain it.
IAIDO & BATTO DO
Mondays & Wednesdays ....Iaido (Japanese Sword $25 per class)........................6:30-7:30pm Saturdays..............................Iaido...........................................................................12:05-1:00pm Sundays intermittently........Iaido....(depends on what people want to learn).....2:00-3:30pm
Batto Do ....................(Actual cutting with a live blade $35 per class).......To Be Determined (Must be proficient in Iaido before cutting) [Minimum Proficiency = At least 10 months of consistent Iaido practice] Handling a three foot long razor blade can be dangerous. I want to be sure you are not a danger to yourself or others. Probably the most common injury is breaking through the scabbard while drawing which results in the hand being cut nearly in half ! Good Iaido practice will instruct how to prevent this accident. I practiced three years and received my Shodan in Iaido before being introduced to Batto cutting.
From what I have observed of the Tokyo line or Nakamura line of the Toyama-ryu prevalent here in the U.S., learning to cut on the draw is not taught or practiced much. So they don't have many accidents such as described above unless they try to cut on the draw. I was taught Iaido till I was Black Belt in the Iaido classes, then introduced to Tokutomi Sensei, who taught the Morinaga style of Toyama-ryu. The Iaido I learned translated almost directly to the Morinaga Line drawing kata of Toyama-ryu, so I have not had any trouble with drawing cuts.