Friday

[varjohaltia]

Here's pictorial evidence of my Friday. Yes, there is on picture which proves my presence. The best way to do Aikido is as the photographer :-) I did participate in the warm up and practice before the massive testing. Hopefully I'll manage to go back Monday and get back into the groove of training. It would certainly do my self-image a world of good, and my physical health likewise.

Comments

[hushed-lavinia.livejournal.com]

Everyone's favorite searching game - "Where's Toivo?" In a mirror! I think you should have pictures of you flipping people on to the ground and what not. ::nodnod::

[phyrra.livejournal.com]

Training is good!
*cracks the whip*

[playfuleye.livejournal.com]

I like the blonde guy with the red face and the tattoos, and the scruffy-haired brunette guy is cute too. I also like this picture (http://www.shadowfantasy.com/Aikido-2005-11-18/show.php?name=2005-11-18-0093-web.jpg), but I don't think aikido is for me. Too much throwing to the mat. :(

[varjohaltia.livejournal.com]

Hm. You'd have to point me at the brunette, there's a couple :-) You don't really get thrown that dramatically most of the beginning time, but yeah, there's a whole bunch there that wouldn't be healthy for you. Essentially tons of rolling over your back. I'm hoping I'll get into the groove to go back, though! Then I know how to make big, burly, ugly guys do my bidding by twisting their pinky.

What I really like, though, is when it all comes together. Someone rushes at you, and there's this little dance, and it's all graceful, and nobody uses any force, and like magic they're flying down over there and you're still standing more or less where you were. It's all about manipulating your natural instincts and center of mass. You typically don't use force to change anyone's momentum, you just redirect it in a way that gives you control over the attacker.

[dead-relena.livejournal.com]

My dad took aikido back in the day! He tricked me into grabbing his wrist once and nearly twisted my arm off :( I've been leary of him ever since . . .

[varjohaltia.livejournal.com]

Last night's session was mostly fingers. How you grab someone's thumb or pinky when they attack you, and then you just make all this big buff guys do whatever you want by twisting and tilting just so.

[varjohaltia.livejournal.com]

Never grab an aikidoka. It's only going to end in pain (or a pin, more accurately.) Similarly, if you try to hit them. Use ranged weapons or a car ;-)