basic kyu test practice showing the relationship between katatedori/ryotedori kokyuho and tenchi nage ura waza. #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
ushiro ryokatadori kubishime/kokyunage: the alignment of the atemi (strike) should be the same as with a bokken or tanto (sword or dagger). Saturday morning intermediate class at Aikido of Champlain Valley #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
The relationship between aikido sword and empty hands: morotedori shihonage ura waza, 4 variations. #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
ryotedori kokyuho two variations #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
In loving memory of Paul Sylvain Sensei on the 30th anniversary of his passing. Demonstration at 1994 USAF Western Region (now Birankai North America ) Summer Camp: Uke Frank Apodaca Sensei Chief Instructor Deep River Aikikai and uke Benjamin Pincus Sensei Chief Instructor Aikido of Champlain Valley#birankaina #aikido #aikidolife
Birankai scholarship fundraiser seminar/going away party for Felix: we raised $1,000 for Birankai Summer Camp scholarships! #birankaina #aikido #aikidolife
katate eridori ikkyo: collar grab in aikido. #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
Heidi Albright Sensei demonstrating ai hamni katatedori iriminage ura waza variation. #birankaina #aïkido #aikidolife
Jodori (staff taking) tsuki and jonage (nage holds jo). Aikido practice nurtures a sense of absence and presence. Through mindful practice, we discover absence - the relaxation of tension and the concomitant freedom and sensitivity that comes from this release, and in turn we experience the presence of contraction, action and release of contained energy. Absence and presence are principles that are internal and instrinsic to being and movement; it isn't an abstract thought, but reflects the natural order of things. The inhalation and exhalation, release and contraction of muscles in turn reflects the eternal flux of the phenomenal world - the evaporation and precipitation of water, the rythm and pulse of the heart, or the flapping wings of the raven. We want to make our practice as natural and spontaneous as the breath of a baby and the movement of wind. #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
ukemi (intermediate level aikido falling drills)
ukemi drills- from the root verb ukeru: to receive. Sometimes aikido ukemi is translated as the "art of falling" but a perhaps a better definition would be "the study of receiving the force of the throw/pin." In aikido we practice our falls so they become relaxed, centered and spontaneous, allowing us to adapt to the unknown in a resilient and creative fashion. #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
Morotedori juwaza
Morotedori juwaza #birankaina #aikido #aikidolife
ryokatadori kokyunage #birankaina #aikidolife #aikido
Chiba Sensei in Canada: Hamni handachi katatedori variations
Kazuo Chiba Sensei in Magog Quebec, c. 1992
ai hamni katatedori koshinage two variations
ushiro ryotedori juwaza
Heidi Albright Sensei at Cloud Mountain with Ruairi - Cloud Mountain is the sister dojo of Aikido of Champlain Valley.
jodori tsuki (defense against a staff thrust) shihonage/tsuki makiotoshi
Practicing the connection between body movement for defense against staff and tsuki jo basics: the opening movement for tsuki makiuchiotoshi is the same as the initial movement in jodori (staff defense).
Getting ready to test in January! Birankai 4th kyu test variations for kaitenage
Birankai 4th kyu test variations: ai hamni katatedori kaitenage soto waza (4 basic movements for soto waza kaitenage: omote (in front of uke) throwing foward, throwing behind, and ura waza irimi kaiten, ura waza throwing in the opposite direction.
shomenuchi iriminage/kokyuho
Aikido Basics class - practicing movements from irimi tenkan and irimi kaiten (entering turn and entering pivot).
Boyet Sensei Seminar at Aikido of Champlain Valley
Join us for a two day seminar with Didier Boyet Sensei 7th Dan Birankai Shihan in Burlington, Vermont December 6-7 2025- schedule and rates here:
https://www.burlingtonaikido.org/events/ - housing and scholarships available
ai hamni katetedori iriminage ushiro tenkan
Jodori tsuki kokyunage: aikido empty hand defense against staff- three variations
Jodori tsuki kokyunage three variations: #1: ushiro tenkan (stepping back, weight slightly centered towards back foot), #2: tsugi ashi irimi (likewise, weight centered over back foot), #3: irimi variation (weight slightly centered over front foot, back foot moves first). Aikido weapons defense teach us how to discover the most natural and spontaneous ways to evade attacks depending on where our body weight is centered at the moment of the thrust or strike.
morotedori juwaza
variations from two hand grab in aikido
three variations with tanto (dagger) kokyuho and ikkyo
Aikido techniques connecting tanto (dagger) with empty hands practice with three variations: chudan omote, chudan ura waza, and jodan ikkyo
shomenuchi iriminage three variations
Aikido in Burlington Vermont, USA
hijiotoshi uchi/soto waza, shomenuchi/tsuki hijiotoshi
elbow drop from a wrist grab and the same two variations from overhead strike and punch
ryotedori shihonage 4 variations with aikido bokken (sword)
basic class exploration of the relationship between the first 4 Birankai basic sword forms and body arts:
1.Ushiro tenkan 2. Irimi 3. Tenkan 4. Soto tenkan
Suwari waza kokyuho
This exercise traditionally ends an aikido classs. Kokyuho teaches aikido students how to relax, extend from the center, and integrate breath with movement against active, connected resistance. Uke - the person grabbing - tries to keep the contact, resisting with forearm strength and their center rather than relying on upper body/shoulder power. Nage, the person being grabbed, moves from a stable relaxed center: shoulders remain soft and relaxed so uke has little ability to resist through muscular strength. These 4 variations explore how to take uke's balance by presenting their hands at three levels: extending arms high, in the middle, parallel to uke's arms, and low.
hijiotoshi/kokyuho- elbow drop in aikido
Intermediate class at Aikido of Champlain Valley in Burlington, Vermont USA
Saturday morning practice at Aikido of Champlain Valley
suwari waza katatedori ikkyo ura waza/katatedori kokyuho
ai hamni katatedori koyunage with kodachi (short sword)
ai hamni katatedori koyunage with kodachi (short sword). Aikido movement exploring the relationship between sword and body arts: when we hold a weapon, we view the sword as an integral extension of the body, and when we have empty hands, our arms reflect the alignment and energy of a sword cut.
katadori menuchi - aikido shoulder grab/overhead strike kokyuho variation
katadori menuchi - aikido shoulder grab/overhead strike kokyuho variation at Aikido of Champlain Valley in Burlington, Vermont USA
ai hamni katatedori kotegaeshi jodan, chudan, gedan with kodachi
kotegaeshi variations with short sword exploring the relationship between empty hands and sword practice in aikido: ai hamni katatedori kotegaeshi jodan, chudan, gedan with kodachi
Shomenuchi kotegaeshi/kokyuho
Shomenuchi kotegaeshi/kokyuho: Aikido Basics class at Aikido of Champlain Valley
Jodan tsuki kokyunage/iriminage
Aikido defense against strike to face or throat: some recently found footage at Aikido of Champlain Valley. For the complete video visit https://youtu.be/tS4T3LodXxk
gyaku hamni katatedori kokyuho chudan waza with tanto
This movement teaches the integral relationship between weapons and empty hands practice. Can we move our bodies as if our arm is a sword/dagger, with the power, efficiency and clarity of a bladed weapon? In turn, when we hold a weapon does the sword feel like it is an integral extension of the body?
Why does aikido emphasize wrist grabs (and/or why does the attacker keep the grip after the initial encounter?). Historically, the grab immobilized/neutralized the opponent's ability to employ a weapon, so it serves as a method of staying alive and it creates an opening for an effective counterattack.
But most importantly, wrist grabs allow students to work with active, creative resistance, necessitating the cultivation of relaxation, proper timing, angle, distance, economy of movement, and the development of internal power. And the uke (the attacker) internalizes these principles through the direct contact of a grab. In a sense, aikido evokes the spirit of mutual aid, allowing both partners to mature and grow through this tactile connection and relationship.
Keep training!
Benjamin Pincus, Chief Instructor Aikido of Champlain Valley
