Okamoto sensei classes are always a joy to watch and participate in. Great video, Clare. Keep up the good work. Keep on training. See you in Philly next year ;-)

Thanks!

This is great. I was so sorry I missed her when she came to Montreal last year.

Having the right Sensei and supporting teachers is also essential. It helps to learn from someone who is skilled in multiple disciplines. We have teachers in my dojo who also have black belts and advanced standings in other martial arts, such as boxing, Tai Chi, Judo, sword training (with live blades), etc. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY (Bensonhurst) and attended high school near Flatbush. I have been in and also watched many fights. If I thought Aikido was BS, I wouldn't be studying it.

That's right, dear! I have also been practicing and every day it is a new surprise. Narai, Keiko, Kufu... (Greetings from Brazil)

Sensei votre aikido est riche et variet on a la souplesse le ki la stabilité les dépassements je pratique l aikido depuis 1987 age de 68 ans et 4e dan mon seul souhait est de passé mon grade de 5e dan international aikikai japon ouhab salah Alger merci

So, after reading the comments, I will just point out that I did start out studying a striking art (Kung-Fu) where we did learn how to punch and kick an actual person. Our teacher used himself as a practice dummy and let us hit his body as hard as we could. He was very proud to be "invincible" like this and showed how strong he was by taking a hard rubber mallet and bashing various areas of his body with it to demonstrate. He then let us hit him so we could feel what it would feel like to hit an actual human being. Oh, and he laughed at all of our attempts to hurt him, so it was quite frustrating to learn from this crazy person (I'm sure someday he'll read this comment :) ). In my dojo, we learn not just the Aikido techniques, but also break down the techniques step by step to show where an additional strike would occur. I agree that if you've never struck anyone before, the Aikido techniques might not be effective, but when you do know how to hit and you know what it will feel like, these techniques add to your martial knowledge. I have pics of me with bruises all over my arms and legs so we grapple very hard in many cases. It all depends on how hard you want to train. You wouldn't want to grapple a 70 year old very hard but you can do so with someone who is 50 or under.

it's wear - your - knees - out martial art. glad I don't train this anymore. i'm basically a cripple now. teach proper street defence, not this floor sweeping.