Basics Seminar

Yesterday was Shobu Aikido Basics Seminar. We did about 5 hours of basic training, with emphasis on feeling the flow of the movements, rather than breaking it down into its component parts. I don't really get how feeling the flow lends itself to basic training though -- I'm an especially nit-picky learner who does best when I'm breaking everything down slowly and grokking things a little bit at a time. Still, it was really a lot of fun, and I do feel like I gained something from it.

We also worked with jo (short staff)! [Translation: I got to play with a stick!] It was super fun, and much easier than the bokken the last week. I have "rigidity" issues where I can't quite grasp the concept that both ends of the jo are equally valid as weapons, and that flipping from one side to the other should be easy, safe, and as natural as breathing. I also got bonked (lightly) on the thumb, but it doesn't hurt too badly, so that's okay. Yay jo!

There was a kyu testing after the seminar, which was very interesting to see, and immediately relevant to me. I got to see what my very next belt test will look like. It's pretty intimidating. Hopefully I'll be ready to test soon! :D

Gasshuku

I've recently taken up Aikido with Gleason-sensei at Shobu Aikido in Union Sq, Somerville. This weekend was Spring Gasshuku, and all told we did something like 10 hours of intensive training over 3 days. I am sore, bruised, and pleased as punch. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. :) The soak in the hot tub afterward helped a lot too!

I dream of Manson

Choreography for this has been really slow -- I started working on it months ago, and it's still not done yet -- but I showed what I had to my current dance instructor and one of the girls in class, and they both seemed to like it. My instructor has threatened motivated me with doing this solo at the upcoming studio recital in mid-June. *laugh* I hope I can finish it, polish it, and groove to it all in the next 6 weeks or so. This is gonna be interesting. :3

Experimenting with Choreography

I've wanted to do this for a while now, and I finally have a little time and support for it! My plan is to make a choreography to Marilyn Manson's version of "Sweet Dreams". For a costume, I'm thinking light hand and arm bondage, and possibly some lower leg rope work as well. Not sure what I want to do for the body. *grin!*

First Solo Video

I've been super lame, but I've finally posted the video from my first solo. Enjoy!