Sunday, February 23, 2020

Steven Seagal teaches

Whatever you think of Steven Seagal as an actor, I believe you have to respect his abilities as an Aikidoka, and a teacher.

Here's a great video of him teaching some of his most signature techniques.  It's long.  I've marked a few spots that appeal to me personally.
  • 13:15 - Sensei teaches his Uke to move his hips to follow the technique. When we teach Kote-gaeshi at the Kai, it's almost always with a back fall, not a front (break) fall. I feel, however, that it's important to move with the technique as Sensei is teaching in this video, in order for both Uke and Nage to experience the full power of the technique, at speed.
  • 16:00 - control, in Kosa-tori Nikko. Anybody every seen this before?  :-)
  • 19:00 - Sensei talks about alignment of hips. Sound familiar? Notice that, at 19:30, he again speaks of Uke aligning his hips as well -- for his own protection. This means turning to keep the technique in front of him (Uke). When you're ready, learn to take that beautiful break fall -- it's not just for the aesthetics.
  • 21:15 - Sensei unveils his signature Irimi-Nage.  I couldn't help noticing that, the first time he shows it, he shows it only ONCE. Pay attention!  
  • 22:30 - "There's no pushing in Aikido.  It's a cut." (I love this)
  • 25:50 - a variation of what we know at the Kai as "AK's Kokyu-ho".  However, this one puts Uke's wrist and elbow at risk, so it must be done with care, and Uke must be willing to move.
  • 27:45 - Sensei talks about "practice" techniques versus street techniques, and how to practice in the dojo -- how to be a good Uke, essentially. A great lesson for Ukes who are trying to be more "realistic" in their attacks. Be sincere, not realistic (a realistic attack is almost never sincere).
  • 36:30 - Sensei take requests, and lands on Sankyo. What he shows is not what we usually do, but it should all be familiar.
  • 38:20 - Shihonage. Notice that Sensei teaches the takedown exactly in the direction we practice it at the Kai -- straight to the shoulder blades, where it's safe for Uke.  Although I think Sensei does emphasize the hips even here more than we generally do.
  • 39:20 - a rather rare view of Segal doing a Koshi-Nage!

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