Category: Help and tips

15 stretches to keep you supple. 1 – Torso stretch Start by lying on your back, arms resting on the floor by your sides. Bend the knees & draw your feet toward your buttocks. Bring your arms to a position above your head where you feel a mild stretch in the upper torso. Arms still…

Following on from part one, here are some instructions on stretching techniques: How to Stretch Move slowly into each position until you feel a mild stretch in the target muscle. Only go as far as feels comfortable & stable for you at that time. Breathe & relax. Allow the mind to calm. Maintain the position…

To perform aikido your body needs to be relaxed & supple. Aiming to stretch for 10-15 minutes 4-6 times a week not only helps to keep the body supple, but it also introduces the habit of regular practice into your life.

Jo suburi instructional videos from Aikido Alive and Takemusu Aikido Nederlands.

Your printable guide to the 20 jo suburi.

How to perform the 31 kumi jo paired partner exercise.

Detailed instructions on how to perform the 13 jo kata, with a demonstration video from Sensei Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros.

When we first start training aikido it can all seem a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot to take on board & our minds are a little overloaded. Hopefully, these hints & tips will help to clarify things by removing some of the ‘noise’ (excessive thoughts & superfluous movements) that can distract you.

Two or three months ago I built myself a tanren uchi. Afterwards I realised that I should have taken some pictures to illustrate how I did it so that I could write a brief “how to”, as I couldn’t find anything like this on the web when I looked before building mine.

You’ll hear plenty of unfamiliar terms in the dojo, but this list will help, even if you know just a few.