Flintstone's Cave

Typical Spanish cierra sus puertas

2010-12-16T14:35:00.005+01:00

Es con gran asombro y pesar que Typical Spanish, la tienda, cierra sus puertas. De todos los experimentos se aprende algo y este no ha sido menos. Para los pocos o muchos fans de la tienda... ¡volveremos!

Mientras tanto, no dejen de seguirnos por nuestro canal de Twitter y por Facebook.

El Budoka 2.0

2010-12-01T13:13:00.002+01:00

Reaparece la revista decana de artes marciales en español "El Budoka", esta vez en su reencarnación 2.0 totalmente digital.

Mantiene los estándares que la hicieron la mejor de las mejores, con la calidad de antaño, online y completamente gratuita.

El enlace aquí: www.elbudoka.es

Los artículos de este primer número son:

Sumario
Editorial
Entrevista con Toby Threadgill
Serie técnica de GongKwon YuSul
Atemi waza, las técnicas de golpeo en el jujutsu antiguo
Preparación física
Taekwondo. El 2010 en imágenes…
La espiritualidad del Iwama ryu Aikido
Qigong y los Ocho canales maravillosos
Jin Jung Kwan Hapkido
Taikai Seibukan 2010
Judo al día
Serie técnica de Kajukenbo
La opinión del experto
La naturaleza del Buda que todos llevamos dentro
Gastronomía con Shibui
La guía del budoka
Energía universal, ritual y magia
Sin ofender…

¡No os la podéis perder!

Colección 14 DVDs de Daniel Toutain Sensei

2010-10-11T03:57:00.001+02:00

Por fin están aquí. Daniel Toutain Sensei ha terminado sus muy esperados DVDs con el catálogo técnico de Aikido Iwama Ryu.
La serie consta de los siguientes volúmenes:

Aikiken: Nivel 1 - Nivel 2 - Nivel 3. Total 3 DVDs.
Aikijo: Nivel 1 - Nivel 2 - Nivel 3. Total 3 DVDs.
Taijutsu: Nivel 1 - Nivel 2 - Nivel 3 - Nivel 4 (Kokyunage). Total 4 DVDs.
Shodan: Programa completo para el examen de primer dan de Iwama Ryu. 1 DVD.
Bukidori: Tankendori - Tachidori - Jodori - Jonage. Total 2 DVDs.
Ken Tai Jo: Jo vs Ken. 1 DVD.

La tienda online de Daniel Toutain aquí: aikishop.com. Eso sí, son 350 € del ala...

Baturrica rubia y elegancia femenina en Typical Spanish

2010-09-28T22:54:00.006+02:00

Esta foto con tanta pechonalidad es de una de las secretarias de ABN Negocios, en el World Trade Center de Zaragoza, que es donde se encuentra fisicamente esta tienda, en la torre Oeste, Planta 15.

Las alegres chicas de Abn nos han dado todo su apoyo desde el principio de la aventura de esta tienda, nos han aconsejado, y mimado. Ellas son las jefas, directoras y socias de su negocio, además de las secretarias del centro de negocios, en estos tiempos de crisis que corren los nuevos trabajadores cuenta con muchos roles en su haber, y ellas, además, te atienden siempre con una sonrisa.

Han sido además las que han protagonizado la prueba piloto de compra de esta tienda con todo el desarrollo.

Nos han dejado hacer esta foto, pero quieren guardar su anonimato con su imagen.

Broche miniyo baturrica rubia y el otro broche fue la flamenca roja que es con la que llevamos trabajando este verano del 2010 como prototipo de muestra.

Y ya sabéis si estás por Zaragoza y necesitas un despacho no dudes en que te enseñen el centro, o quizá no seas de Aragón pero quieres una secretaría virtual: ABN Negocios.

Typical Spanish abre sus puertas al mercado nacional

2010-09-23T13:29:00.001+02:00

Typical Spanish, la tienda, nace de la concordancia de varias ideas habladas entre un par de amigos que no se veían hace 20 años desde su época colegial, y que gracias a internet, las nuevas comunicaciones y las redes sociales se han vuelto a cruzar para charlar en los cafés y pacharanes, sobre todo por el Bar 3 elementos de nuestro amigo Guille.

Después de 20 años con un cruce de personas así suele darse dos tipos de situacionnes: una situación fría o por el contrario, un nuevo acercamiento de conocimiento, así que volvimos a preguntarnos ¿cómo vas, qué has hecho, seguías con…, hiciste…, y ahora tienes…?

Entre café y café pusimos en común nuestras habilidades laborales y en una charla que se dio en la Universidad de Zaragoza a cargo de Francisco Barberán nos propusimos la idea de mandar artesanía y productos de distinta índole que se maneja con los tópicos españoles en las culturas extranjeras.

Así arrancamos el proyecto con el soporte tecnológico de Plica Zaragózame SL, que es la empresa que empieza facturando este proyecto propio, a cargo de Emilio Gil, director y coordinador de contenidos y César Laso, director técnico.

Y el equipo multidisciplinar está formado junto con:

Alejandro Villanueva, ingeniero, traductor y logística.
Daniel Marco, Xaifu, fue el diseñador del logo.
Lara Herreras, ingeniera y artesana de broches, pendientes y regalos exquisitos.

Es un proyecto abierto en el que tenemos ciertas fases de evolución con nuevos productos y nuevas personas, pero es un proyecto versátil como corresponde a los nuevos tiempos que corren.

Con un poquito de ilusión y ganas…. ¡Allá vamos!

TYPICAL–SPANISH – La tienda de folklore y artesanía española.

Puedes seguirnos también por nuestro canal de Twitter y por Facebook.

Re: Ueshiba Morihei's power by Mark Murray

2010-09-06T12:54:00.003+02:00

Mucho se está hablando sobre el origen de la fuerza interna desarrollada por Ueshiba en los foros. Dejo aquí un interesante post de Mark Murray publicado originalmente en aikiweb.

There is more than one power category when talking about Ueshiba. (I leave aside all the spiritual "myths")

1. The first is purely muscular. Ueshiba at his best before he met Takeda. The muscle power driving farming, carpentry, etc for most of the world. But, somehow, I doubt that this is the kind of power that Iwata Sensei, or Ellis for that matter, are focused.

This kind of power is mentioned by either Sagawa or some of his students. I had to give up power to get power. Sagawa could toss people like rag dolls when old but couldn't open a jar of food. Etc.

This kind of power can be used for MMA, BJJ, wrestling, and some jujutsu where muscle along with timing can replicate "hard within soft" or the radial tire analogy of rubber around steel.

2. Internal Power. No, not aiki. This is a power level generated by structure and frame and an internally built body. It is force generated from very little distance (if any). Even this can be divided into categories using "ground", "store and release", "whip", etc. Not all work the same but each can generate various levels of power depending on how well (i.e. the right training) the person has trained. This can be the power to snap bones.

3. The third ... for lack of a better term, let's call it aiki as learned from Takeda. This "power" of aiki can be generated between human bodies but not between a human and an inanimate object. It's best summed up by the Daito ryu men saying that aiki is making the other person do what you want ... but in a way that manifests softness without the requirement of timing. Power over another person in appropriately matching energy that comes out as ghosty feeling, running into a mountain that isn't moving, just being moved without a choice, etc. This is the true hard within soft, the rubber over steel, etc. all the way to completely soft and ghosty without resorting to timing.

#1 is fairly easy to accomplish, most people can attain it without tremendous effort, and it's something that a lot of martial artists have experienced. It isn't the kind of power that made Ueshiba famous.

#2 and #3, IMO, are what Takeda taught. He blended them together to create a very different martial body that most other martial artists didn't comprehend, but knew instantly in a hands-on experience that it was the "Holy Grail", if you will.

#2 alone wouldn't have done a whole lot of impressing. Yeah, someone has power, but so what? Given a good jujutsu man, or a good fighting man, try using that IP in a dynamic encounter against them. IP alone isn't going to impress 90%-100% of the time. Maybe half the time. Good jujutsu or fighting men will flow around with timing, sensitivity, and skills to negate a lot of openings to use IP, especially some of the slower IP generating methods.

#3 alone might have impressed people. Considering that the ghosty feeling and the being controlled would amount to creating a whole lot of martial openings for strikes and throws. But, that isn't the only thing we read about Ueshiba. As Ellis' article notes and as some of the students noted, Ueshiba had power in his grip. Ueshiba felt like a jolt of electricity at points in his life. He had juice and used it.

Can you separate out #2 and #3 from the aiki men? IMO, no. Not them (others, perhaps). They integrated both and used it in a "fighting" manner, with and without weapons. It was the combination of both that made other high ranking and skilled martial artists take note of them.

But, just how far did Ueshiba take those skills? Unfortunately, I don't have any answers for Ueshiba. Just all the myriad of articles about him.

La Historia de Internet en Una Imagen

2010-08-21T23:57:00.000+02:00

Via: MBA Online

Fallece Nobuyoshi Tamura

2010-07-10T09:50:00.001+02:00

El Maestro Tamura nos dejó anoche día 9 de Julio de 2010 a las 19:00. Sin duda una muy triste noticia para el Aikido español. Descanse en paz, Maestro.

The Ura of Kiai (I)

2010-07-09T10:07:00.005+02:00

Hoy toca llamar la atención sobre un hilo creado por David Orange, de la Yoseikan y uchideshi de Minoru Mochizuki, en Aikiweb. Este es el enlace original de lo que copio aquí.

I had what I think was a real breakthrough in understanding this weekend.

My Sensei once told me that aiki is the ura (reverse or unseen side) of kiai.

I always took that to mean that aiki is a response to another person's kiai attack: you adhere to the ura of his movement.

But this weekend, I realized that I have kiai, myself, and that aiki is the ura of my own kiai.

If you consider the properties and nature of kiai, in yourself, what could be the ura of that?

My understanding of kiai is that it's not the shout but the spirit of attacking. The shout is like a shadow or sound of kiai. Like the sound of a gunshot is not the gunshot, but an effect of the gunshot. The kiai is not the gunshot or the bullet or the sound: it's the intent to shoot, and the action of pulling the trigger. In unarmed fighting, it's the intent to smash the other guy.

For empty-hand, knife or sword, kiai means crossing the gap and blasting through the opponent, knocking him down or impaling him on the sword.

So how could aiki be the ura of that?

I conceived that it would be not crossing the gap or putting your power into the opponent, but holding your ground immovably and letting him run into your sword (or fist) with his kiai attack, so that all his own power (not your power) goes back into him.

Kiai is putting your power into him: aiki is turning all his power back to himself, without moving, by letting the ground receive and support his force. And that would be what Mike Sigman calls peng jin. It's immoveable, and it lifts the opponent and floats him. And this is why Ueshiba does the immovability demonstrations. It's the prime essence of aiki. After that, you add movement and technique, maintaining the peng jin ground support (aiki) and keeping him floated through the movement.

Deeper aiki development means being able to exert that ground support and floating of the opponent at any point of contact.

I worked on this idea a bit over the weekend with a guy who was not very receptive and it satisfied me that I had understood the basic idea and need to develop it much more deeply. It's completely consistent with what I got from both Ark and Dan Harden. I started seeing something that relates perfectly with Dan's concept of moving from the hips and with Ark's shintaijiku. For the first time, I was able to take a push to my chest and convert it into a strike with my forearm/fist like Ark does, but I did it through something Dan showed me and I could clearly see his central pivot and the cross-arms concept. So I feel that I'm getting a solid understanding of where all three (Ark, Dan and Mike) are coming from.

Now if I can just develop that understanding into some ability....

Comments appreciated.

David

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XVIII)

2010-06-16T01:37:00.000+02:00

Por fin se encuentra disponible el capítulo 18 de Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation del Profesor Goldsbury.

Como siempre, leemos, aprendemos y esperamos al siguiente!

The Hiden Diaries 2: Another Day in the Life of Morihei Ueshiba

2010-05-20T01:19:00.002+02:00

Just published in Aikiweb, the second installment of the Hiden Diaries of Morihei Ueshiba. You cannot miss this one!

Third Auspicious Day of the Sixth Moon

4.30

Got up and went up to the roof to greet the Sun Goddess. She was still feeling sore about Susano O, her wayward brother, and at one point threatened to go back behind the Stone Door. Since we are still celebrating her original August Exit (recorded in her memoirs, which our non-Japanese students know as the Records of Ancient Matters) and are applying the lessons from this August Exit to our own training, as we constantly strive to keep the Three Worlds in harmony, I was—luckily—able to persuade her against taking this drastic step. I reminded her of what had happened the first time: all the myriad calamities that beset the Central Land of Reed Plains like swarms of flies in the fifth moon.

I saw it was obvious that Amaterasu needed to get tougher, so I told her about the men who walk into the jaws of tigers. When she asked why they would do such a dumb thing, I realized that she had no clue about IHTBF, so I put her straight about this. Heck, even the kami sometimes need to go back to basics and put their supposed abilities to the test! I think the Chinese call this tiger-jaw-walker training ‘internal', but I never heard Master Takeda use this term: he always used to talk about aiki. And the thing is, he never taught it to anybody. Anyway, this training is what sorts out the men from the boys, who find that all they can do is mew like housecats. I think people can guess which training leads to better results. I was concerned that she was losing the ability to discern: what is more useful and more martial in keeping the kami in their place, and there was a chance she could spend a few millennia chasing a dead end. So I suggested she do some serious tiger-jaw-walker training, learn to uproot a few heavenly trees and what-not, so that she could stand up to Susano-O with more backbone, sorry, more aiki. And, especially, learn the POWER of INTENT.

As well as toughening up, it was obvious that Amaterasu needed cheering up, so I informed her that the first installment of the diary that I decided to share with the world had gone down quite well, especially among our beloved American students. But there was some speculation down in the human world about the person I used as my messenger. I think people have to realize that the kami move in DEEPLY mysterious ways. I assured her that the person I used had no clue whatever about the deeper aspects of this unique mission: to assist the Aiki Avatar in the work of harmonizing the Three Worlds. I have learned by experience that humans actually spend a long time debating about the meaning of harmony—but to little avail. As well as doing tiger-jaw-walker training, they should really learn our wonderful native language and explore the full range of possibilities offered by the phrase Aiki is Aiki.

Only the other day, I chanced upon a discussion about the definition of aiki. People were disputing as usual. When will they ever learn? Of course, we Japanese have had our share of disputes. I still remember the dispute between Kisshomaru and Koichi T. Now that was a dispute worthy of the name. Talk about two queens in the same beehive...

As for aiki, what is the English phrase I have heard somewhere recently? Hidden in Plain Sight. Very well put. That reminds me of another phrase, used by some English writer named Shaw, I think, who was almost contemporary with me. What was it he said? Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. Absolutely. This phrase is very applicable to the martial arts and especially to my new budo.

I think that Aiki Avatar is a very good phrase and the initials AA are simply brilliant. For those who don't know much English, both begin with the first letter of the English alphabet, which is the primal sound AAHHH and has a very long history. Doesn't quite measure up to SUUU, though. It doesn't have any kokyu, which is what was lacking in the martial arts before Deguchi Sensei came along and taught us all to do chinkon kishin. Ah, I do miss Deguchi Sensei and his chinkon trances. The thing is, you never knew whether he was in a trance or not: it was all the same to him.

But I've heard that AA also has other meanings, mainly to do with automobiles and drinking too much alcohol… Not that this is a problem with many of our deshi. Only the other day I encountered a young deshi with a bandaged hand—I think he was one of Kisshomaru's deshi. I expected to be told that he had been testing the effectiveness of aikido techniques outside the dojo, as any deshi worth the name ought to do, but he looked down at his feet and said he had a fight with a door, on his way out of a bar. Resolved to tell Kisshomaru to warn his deshi to be more discreet about what they were up to outside the dojo. I am all for showing the effectiveness of my techniques—and, Heavens, I had a long enough dispute with Master Takeda about reducing the number and cutting out those that were ineffective in maintaining the proper balance with the Three Worlds, but the deshi should pay much more attention to the essential distinction between omote and ura and not fight battles they can't win. (That's a good phrase. Who first said that, I wonder? I think it was some Chinese general… Trust the Chinese to have thought of it first. However, we Japanese are noted for borrowing foreign ideas and greatly improving on them. I will use it in my discourses.)

In view of the recent movie about the blue people with long noses and tails, perhaps Aiki Avatar is a phrase best not used too often—perhaps only to the members of Deguchi Sensei's and Goi Sensei's groups. I am sure that both Deguchi Sensei and Goi Sensei will understand everything about avatars. Actually, Deguchi Sensei sometimes shocked people by using his Male Member exactly like a tail: perhaps he had already seen the movie in another life and had noted the contents. That would be typical of the unpredictable Deguchi Sensei: he always did everything ‘back to front', so to speak.

6.30

Took breakfast with She Who Must Be Obeyed. Enough said. In fact she didn't say anything, beyond telling me to get ready for another trip to Iwama. Of course, I retorted that I AM ALWAYS READY, but my words yet again appeared to fall on stony ground.

8.00

Encountered Kisshomaru and discussed demonstrations. I myself have no time for them, really, unless they are in front of His Imperial Majesty. For my assistants never manage to align their ukemi to illuminate fully the divine quality of my techniques. Yukawa was quite good and Tamura sometimes came close, but Kisshomaru always tells me that we have to keep up with the times and I gather my grandson Moriteru thinks the same way. I understand that they now do a big demonstration once a year just down the road from His Imperial Majesty's palace. The place is opposite the Yasukuni Shrine, where the souls of many of our dear wartime students are enshrined. One year I took a short break from my work up here on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and had a peep at the demonstration. I was quite stunned and asked myself: What on earth is going on? WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY AIKIDO? Actually, I once found myself shouting this in the dojo and everyone was cowering at the edges of the mat avoiding eye contact. All except Kisshomaru, who sat there wiping his nose on his sleeve. I must talk to his mother about this.

10.00

Set out for Iwama. Arrived at Ueno Station without incident, but had an urgent message from Deguchi Sensei advising me not to take the first train. Thinking the advice was probably connected with Amaterasu and the Stone Door, I quickly left the train and returned to the platform, using a special technique that Master Takeda perfected. I think our non-Japanese students call this ‘moving without being seen' and, needless to say, it worked very well with my deshi, whom I found later, wandering up and down the platform in a panic. I came up silently behind him and gently bopped him on the head. "Aaagghhh," he said. "I didn't see you." "Absolutely." I responded, with just the right combination of gentleness and severity necessary for an effective pedagogical encounter.

16.00

Went outside to the shrine before practice and encountered a statue—of myself. Where on earth had this come from? Summoned Isoyama for an explanation. I know that after Saito's passing things had changed, but another statue, especially this one, with my beard perfectly trimmed and skirt perfectly pleated, was not at all what I expected. Of course, She Who Must Be Obeyed would like it, but I think it makes me look too much like that dictator in Russia, or is it North Korea? He has more hair than I have, but it seems artificial and it is obvious he's never done a day of serious training in his whole life.

Had another long discussion with Amaterasu, who had been doing some very serious tiger-jaw-walker training and felt much better, but she still had problems with INTENT. She couldn't direct it where she wanted to. Of course, she has to give it time and put in the mileage. She was very concerned about her offspring (and my favorite deity) Masakatsu Agatsu. She thought he might fall into Susano O's clutches. Actually, she told me off for shortening his name and emphasized that his name was Masakatsu Agatsu Katsu Hayabi Ame no Oshi Ho Mimi no Mikoto. She thought the rest of his name would be forgotten. Well, it was obvious I had to put her right about this. For a start, his name was a mouthful and even remembering it would be way beyond the mental resources of our dear American students. And that was just the pronunciation. As for the meaning, we all know that our august national language is far better equipped to exploit the rich resources of such a fine name, but what to do with the dull English version: ‘True Victory My Victory Heavenly Deity Ruling the Rice Ears'? I learned a lot from our foreign deshi, especially the Big American. He taught me about slogans and sound bites, for he used to use them all the time. So I laid it on the line. "Amaterasu," I said, dropping the formal bits and speaking frankly, kami to kami, "You need to get clear about my students, especially the ones who walk into the jaws of tigers. True Victory My Victory Heavenly Deity Ruling the Rice Ears doesn't DO anything, but True Victory is Self Victory, which is how the professor who wears flowery skirts and chants kotodama translates it? Well, it GRABS people. It shows their INTENT. It makes them feel part of the team." (Who said that, I wonder? I think it was a rather nasty man who used to club people over the head with a baseball bat during dinner. He should have used one of my favorite weapons: nothing to match a spear or bayonet. Of course, these wouldn't work in confined spaces like dinner tables. But this is where you need oshi-uchi. No, that doesn't sound right. Oki-uchi, okichi-uchi, okoshi-uchi… Damn these English spelling rules! ...)

20.00

My, it's tough being an AA. As somebody else once said, "I need a vacation." Strangely enough, I believe he was an avatar as well: at least, he behaved like one. But he, or perhaps ‘it', was a much lower-level, mechanical, sort. I believe they opened him up and all they found were a few nuts and bolts and something called a CPU. I don't know what they thought this thing was, but to me CPU is obvious: it means Central Peripheral Unity, or, the Three Worlds in constant harmony.

Go no Sen / Sen no Sen / Sensen no Sen

2010-05-13T10:27:00.006+02:00

Hoy nos toca un interesante artículo de Ethan Weisgard referente a la falsa creencia de que "no hay ataque en Aikido porque lo ha dicho O Sensei". Ya es un poco antiguo pero mantiene total actualidad. Quizá cada día más.

These three terms refer to the different kinds of timing used in dealing with an attacker in budo training. At one of the aikido summer camps in Denmark, Ulf Evenås and I once asked Saito Sensei about these terms. He said that they were used in iaido or kenjutsu training. I have never heard Saito Sensei use these terms himself when referring to the timing of the response to an attack in aikido. I believe his attitude towards the use of these terms came from O-Sensei. In an article from Aikido Journal there is an interview with O-Sensei from 1957. The following is an excerpt that pertains to this subject:
O Sensei: In Aikido, there is absolutely no attack. To attack means that the spirit has already lost. We adhere to the principle of absolute nonresistance, that is to say, we do not oppose the attacker. Thus, there is no opponent in Aikido. The victory in Aikido is masakatsu and agatsu; since you win over everything in accordance with the mission of heaven, you possess absolute strength.
B: Does that mean ou no sen? (also called go no sen; this term refers to a defensive response to an attack.)
O Sensei: Absolutely not. It is not a question of either sensen no sen or sen no sen. If I were to try to verbalize it I would say that you control your opponent without trying to control him. That is, the state of continuous victory. There isn't any question of winning over or losing to an opponent. In this sense, there is no opponent in Aikido. Even if you have an opponent, he becomes a part of you, a partner you control only.
In O-Sensei’s first statement of the excerpt he says there is no attack. I believe that he is referring to a combative situation as I will describe in full later on in this article: the attacker has already chosen his role. His intention to attack is clear. What also must be taken into account is the fact that O-Sensei possessed such a high level of perception that he surpassed this kind of concept of timing completely. O-Sensei also refers to two important terms: masakatsu (correct victory) and agatsu (self-victory). This is a reference to one of his favorite sayings: “masakatsu, agatsu, katsu hayabi” (correct victory, self-victory, the day of swift victory). This is often interpreted to mean that correct victory is winning over your own self or ego. When reaching this state of selflessness, then this is the way to swift victory (not only in martial contexts but also in life itself).
O-Sensei goes on to say that it is not a question of sensen no sen or sen no sen. As stated earlier, O-Sensei was on a much higher level of perception than the concepts these terms indicate. But for those of us who follow the path of aiki without possessing the martial genius of the founder of aikido, I hope that my examples of these terms can be of some help in understanding the intricacies of timing and awareness inherent in the fascinating world of aikido. The Japanese character for ”sen” can also be read as “saki.” It means “before” and even sometimes “after” in certain contexts! But in the terms go no sen, sen no sen and sensen no sen, it is an abbreviation of sorts for the word “sente” meaning initiative or lead. The “te” in sente means hand, so sente directly translates as “before hand.” In budo, sente refers to an attack or the initiative to attack. In karate there is a saying: “karate niwa, sente wa nashi.” This means “in karate, there are no attacks.” This is a fine example of the defensive attitude found in traditional karate. This defensive attitude is inherent in traditional budo in general. There are, however, ways of taking control in a combative situation and leading the opponent’s “ki” or intention, without having to wait for the attacker to start the attack.
When facing an opponent in a combative situation, the conditions are already set: you are facing a person intent on fighting you. The case should be, if you have behaved according to proper etiquette, that you have given the attacker no reason to fight you, and you have attempted to resolve the impending confrontation by all means possible, to the extent of removing yourself from the presence of the attacker. When all else fails, then it is time to defend yourself. This is the presupposed basis of the situation that we are in when we face our opponent during budo practice. Therefore it is morally justifiable to, if necessary, use a technique that draws forth an attack from your opponent, hereby creating a possibility to counter the opponent’s attack: sensen no sen. To start from the beginning, let us look at go no sen. Go means “after.” Go no sen is the timing that is often used in budo when responding to an attack. In aikido, an example would be stepping to the inside of the line of attack, parrying the attacking hand and executing shihonage when defending against yokomen uchi. In aiki-ken it could be exemplified by migi awase, with uke tachi stepping off the line of attack to the right and counterstriking with shomen uchi. In migi awase, we move in harmony with the attacker, but it is the attacker that is taking the initiative in the attack and we are mirroring his or her movements.
Sen no sen means before the attack. Sometimes this timing is also called mae no sen, mae also meaning before. Sen no sen implies that, for example in weapons practice, uke is aware of uchi’s intention of attacking and right at the time when uchi is starting to attack, steps in and stops the attack. This could be exemplified in aiki-ken by the movement in which uke tachi steps directly in with tsuki at the moment when uchi tachi lifts his sword up to strike shomen uchi. This movement can be seen beautifully executed by O-Sensei in many of the old films. In aiki-jo, the movement in kumi jo number eight is a good example of sen no sen: uchi is standing in tsuki no kamae, as is uke. Uchi does hayagaeshi, intending to attack with yokomen uchi. As uchi steps forward while lifting the jo up and around in jodan gaeshi uchi, uke slide-steps straight in under uchi’s jo, thrusting directly forward at uchi. In tai jutsu, the outward parry used against yokomen uchi is a good example of sen no sen: as uke lifts his hand up over his head and starts to swing his handblade forward in yokomen uchi, nage slide-steps forward to the outside and stops uke’s hand before it gains too much momentum.
Sensen no sen is an even more refined concept in regards to timing. The term consists of a repetition of the term sen. So this refers to the timing before sen no sen. It is the case of initiating a movement intended to lead the attacker’s spirit as well as to draw forth an actual attack, in order to utilize this attack for a defensive technique. Saito Sensei often said: “aite no ki wo yobidasu,” to call out the ki of your opponent. Some people may think that this goes against the attitude of never attacking in aikido. In this case, one must recognize the training situation, as well as an actual selfdefense situation, for what it is: all attempts to defuse the conflict have been tried to no avail, and therefore we are faced with an impending attack from our opponent. The opponent has already decided to attack, the intention is there, and the actual physical attack is impending. In this case, we are not attacking an innocent individual, we are responding to a situation that is clearly a threat to our safety. It is therefore morally justifiable to call out the attack of your opponent. You are making him commit the attack that he already has intended to execute, but you are controlling the circumstances of the situation by leading him.
A good example of sensen no sen in tai jutsu is shomen-uchi. Saito Sensei often referred to O- Sensei’s book, entitled “Budo,” in the case of performing correct shomen-uchi. O-Sensei clearly stated that nage should initiate the movement by striking toward uke’s face with the handblade, bringing the hand from the starting position at about waist-height and upward towards uke’s face. Uke blocks this movement, hereby enabling nage to utilize uke’s blocking arm for a given technique. This movement has all but disappeared from most aikido schools. I believe this is due to a misunderstanding of the principle of sensen no sen; the belief that nage’s initiating movement would be considered an attack, thereby going against the defensive principles of aikido. The lack of understanding of this point has resulted, in many aikido schools, with uke attacking with a downward-moving shomen-uchi, and nage blocking this attack. This results in the breaking of an important basic principle of aikido: never to go directly against the force of your opponent’s attack once it is fully set in motion. Saito Sensei often made the point that when defending against a downward-moving shomen-uchi, nage should move off the line of attack and never attempt to block this strike. This results in certain techniques being applicable, for instance irimi nage or kote gaeshi to the outside, or shihonage or kokyu nage to the inside, and others not, for example ikkyo and other techniques based on the same initial movement.
In aiki-ken, sensen no sen can be exemplified in the maki otoshi movement found in san no tachi (third kumi tachi). In the initial movement, uke tachi sweeps uchi tachi’s sword away with maki otoshi, and uchi tachi uses the momentum of the sweeping movement to continue into a yokomen attack. The maki otoshi sweeping movement is also intended to create an opening for uke tachi to strike uchi tachi’s wrist, but this movement can also be seen as a means to draw forth uchi tachi’s initial yokomen attack, hereby enabling uke tachi to parry, and finally to counterstrike in the second yokomen attack from uchi tachi.
Another very good example of sensen no sen in tai jutsu, this time on an even more advanced level than in the basic shomen uchi techniques, is the technique that carries the beautiful name “yamabiko no michi,” meaning “path of a mountain echo.” The name of the technique alludes to the initiating hand movement of nage resembling the voice being projected outwards, and uke’s reaction being the echo. This is an irimi nage technique calling for nage to start by dynamically initiating shomen uchi toward uke and, before making contact with uke’s parrying hand, flowing into tai sabaki to uke’s side. This tai sabaki to uke’s side leads directly into a body turn together with the movement of nage’s arm projecting towards uke’s face for the irimi nage throw. When done dynamically, with full ki, nage can throw uke without making physical contact at all during the execution of the technique.
There are other fine examples of aikido techniques that fit with these three concepts of timing. I recommend readers to try to find them in their training. And although we will never reach the martial genius of founder O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, I believe we should study his words and beliefs, and not let these three terms be the limits of our attempts to follow in his footsteps. We should consider them as a means to help us understand the intricacies of perception in budo practice, and strive for even higher levels than these terms represent.
Yours in Aiki,
Ethan Monnot Weisgard, dojo-cho
Copenhagen Aiki Shuren Dojo

Minoru Mochizuki y Tadashi Abe

2010-04-29T00:35:00.006+02:00

Rescatando un viejo tema de aikidojournal.com a colación de qué es Aikido y qué no lo es. Se trata de una anécdota ocurrida al Maestro Minoru Mochizuki concerniente al escepticismo de un joven Tadashi Abe. Enjoy:

Minoru Mochizuki, 10º Dan
Había un hombre llamado Tadashi Abe, recientemente fallecido. En cierta ocasión en que visité a O Sensei en al dojo de Iwama para saludarle tras mi regreso a Japón al finalizar la guerra [WWII], tuve el siguiente encuentro con él. O Sensei se encontraba feliz al saber que yo había regresado sano y salvo y me dio una calurosa bienvenida. Me quedé a dormir esa noche en el dojo. Esa noche vino a mi habitación un hombre de aspecto malvado con un corte de pelo a lo monje y me pidió permiso para entrar. Cuando le di el permiso él entró.
—“Me llamo Tadashi Abe. Sensei, ¿puedo hacerle una pregunta directa?”
Le dije que me preguntara lo que quisiera. Me preguntó si realmente estudiaba Aikijujutsu de manera seria. En aquellos tiempos el arte aun no tenía el nombre de Aikido. Cuando le respondí afirmativamente, me dijo lo siguiente:

Tadashi Abe, 6º Dan
—“¿En serio? Llevo mucho tiempo oyendo cosas sobre Vd., Sensei. He oído que ha tenido experiencia real en combate. Me parece extraño que alguien como Vd. Se encuentre satisfecho con un arte como el Aikijujutsu”.
Cuando le pregunté por qué pensaba así me contestó que ni Ueshiba Sensei ni el Sr. Morihiro Saito serían capaces de resistir un combate contra él ni siquiera tres minutos. Que él les derrotaría de un solo golpe.
—“Estás muy seguro de ti mismo, ¿no?”, contesté. “¿De verdad crees que puedes derrotar a Ueshiba Sensei?”, añadí.
Contestó que creía que sería fácil para él derrotar a Sensei y aun añadió:
—“He estado observando a Ueshiba Sensei durante mucho tiempo y no me convence practicar un arte como el Aikijujutsu. Estoy seguro de que le puedo derrotar con solo un golpe de boxeo. He oído que Vd. pone énfasis en el combate, ¿es cierto?”
Le contesté como sigue:
—“He estado en muchas peleas callejeras, pero no incluiría eso en la categoría de ‘combate’. Y también he asaltado campamentos enemigos sable en mano”.
Entonces me preguntó si realmente el Aikido era útil o no para pelear. Cuando yo le respondí que el Aikido no sólo era útil en peleas sino también en tiempos de guerra me dijo que mi respuesta no le convencía. Entonces le sugerí que me atacara y me quedé allí, indicándole que me atacara como mejor supiera. Me pidió que me pusiera en guardia. Le contesté:
—“No pidas cosas innecesarias. No hay manera de derrotar al enemigo si él le dice lo qué hacer. ¡Atácame como quieras!”
Abe murmuró: “Sensei, ¿realmente puedo golpearle? Es extraño… tiene aperturas por todas partes…” Entonces se puso en guardia y me atacó de repente. Esquivé el golpe [taisabaki] y le di una patada. Gruñó y cayó al suelo. Inmediatamente apliqué una técnica de resucitación [katsu] y le di un masaje.
—“¿Cómo puede alguien como tú, que se desmorona y pierde el conocimiento cuando recibe una pequeña patada, durar algo en una pelea?”
—“Sensei, ¿es que el Aikido incluye técnicas de pateo?”
—“¡Estúpido! ¿Qué quieres decir con esa pregunta? Empleamos técnicas de pateo o lo que haga falta. Incluso he empleado artillería. Las artes marciales, las armas y la artillería, todas son Aikido. ¿Qué es lo que crees que es el Aikido? ¿Crees que se trata de retorcer muñecas? Es un medio de Guerra… ¡una acción de Guerra! El Aikido es una lucha con sables de verdad. Empleamos la palabra ‘Aiki’ porque con él podemos sentir la mente del enemigo que viene a atacar, de manera que podemos responder de manera inmediata. Mira el Sumo. Cuando dan la voz [Miatte! Miatte!] se levantan y se lanzan el uno contra el otro en un flash. Eso mismo es ‘Aiki’. Cuando una persona se enfrenta a un enemigo estando en un estado mental libre de toda idea o pensamiento y es instantáneamente capaz de lidiar con él, a eso lo llamamos ‘Aiki’. En los tiempos antiguos se llamaba ‘Aiki no jutsu’. Así, la artillería o cualquier cosa de convierte en ‘Aiki’”.
—“¿Así es…? Creo que ya entiendo”.
—“Si aun no lo entiendes, ven a verme cuando quieras”.
Después de este episodio Abe me tomó miedo y me saludaba desde lejos. Pero cuando fui enviado [por Ueshiba O Sensei] a Europa me pidió que le llevara como asistente.
Durante mi tiempo en Europa también tuve experiencias interesantes. Como practicábamos cosas como luxaciones de muñeca algunas personas se preguntaban si este tipo de entrenamiento realmente sería útil en una lucha real y me hacían muchas preguntas, así que les di la siguiente explicación:
—“Cuando practicamos, aprendemos la manera correcta de mover el cuerpo y cómo emplear la fuerza [kokyu ryoku] de manera racional. Mediante el uso del ‘Aiki’ puedes ser capaz de responder inmediatamente en cuando un enemigo se acerca acechando para atacar. De esta manera puedes sacudirte de encima a cualquiera”.
Así que un estudiante me preguntó: “¿Entonces puedo traer una pistola? Si empleo una pistola, Sensei, ¿qué haría Vd.?”
Mi respuesta fue que entonces yo traería un rifle.

Any offensive moves in Aikido?

2010-04-21T22:38:00.002+02:00

George S. Ledyard writes in Aikiweb the following while discussing whether there is any offensive move in Aikido or not. I'm absolutely with him on this one.

Every response you execute when grabbed can be done when grabbing. Every atemi you execute when attacked can be used when attacking. We need to lose this whole uke / nage dichotomy. We also need to stop attaching pseudo moralistic value judgments to things like who initiates.
Peace is something you carry inside you. It's not something that has to do with who moves first. It is an attitude.
The misunderstanding of what the attacks really are that we routinely do in our daily training causes us to attach all sorts of baggage to the whole uke / nage relationship which shouldn't be there. This is caused by allowing two different mindsets and two different physical skill sets on the part of uke and nage. Nage is supposed to be relaxed and "defensive" in attitude, executing techniques of great technical sophistication while Uke attacks like an idiot, typically either is too tense or fails to really connect effectively. What would an attack look like if the uke knew what the nage knew?
If Aikido training was about BOTH partners having the same access to "aiki" skill sets we wouldn't have the need for discussions like this because people would understand what they are really doing, or choosing not to do, depending on the level of practice. A katatetori would break nage's balance instantly on contact and set up the atemi with the off hand. No one would be under the misconception that an attack has anything to do with not allowing the nage to move but rather to compromise his structure and make it impossible for nage to defend against the atemi.
We need to get way past trying to impute some sort of moral, right and wrong value judgment to the term "aiki". "Aiki" can be used for good or evil. That's why O-Sensei felt it was important not to teach technique to people not of good character.
I spent a number of years teaching law enforcement and security personnel. LE officers are required to initiate technique on subjects who are e-gressive, not just a-ggressive. I can assure you that "aiki" works just as well when the person initiates as when he is being attacked. Virtually every technique in the Aikido repertoire can be used as an attack, not just a defense. The circumstance and ones personal mindset determine whether this is "violent" in an immoral way or not.

The Hiden Diaries: A Day in the Life of Morihei Ueshiba

2010-04-01T23:32:00.002+02:00

Found this today in the aikiweb and thought it was so irreverent and hilarious I would rather share it here for you. Enjoy!

April 1

4.30

Got up and went up to the roof to greet the Sun Goddess. Of course, our conversation took place by means of the jo. I fail to understand why Kisshomaru does not make more use of this wonderful instrument. After all, I used it often enough.

Had a lengthy discussion with Amaterasu about her grandson Masakatsu Agatsu. I told her that he was my favourite deity, along with her brother Susano O, but this did NOT go down very well AT ALL. She told me that she is still having severe problems with Susano O and these problems were affecting the entire universe. They are also interfering with my own work as the main Avatar between the Three Realms. Here am I, standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and constantly training to ensure that Aiki is Aiki (I am glad the Japanese language is so rich in resources; it is completely different from dull, boring English), but the continuing problems with Amaterasu and her brother are making things very, very difficult.

So I reassured her with the remark that the whole problem lay in the English translation. English simply does not have the resources to capture the full range of meaning encapsulated (spelling correct?) in the phrase Aiki is Aiki. I gather that all my discourses are being translated into English by some Buddhist professor who lives in the north of Japan. (I know about him because he sometimes wears flowery hakama and does kotodama chants in English churches: at least this is a welcome change from the deadly boring chants I hear in Japan.) I explained that the professor had translated the name Masakatsu Agatsu as Victory OVER Oneself, not Victory BY Oneself, which is MUCH more meaningful than anything about winning and losing, especially to our dear American students.

By the way, I gather that a film has come out with the name Avatar. When I first heard about it, I was very happy and hoped that it would take account of my work on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, uniting the Three Worlds, but the movie was a TOTAL disappointment. The love interest was COMPLETELY wrong and involved silly relationships with strange people in blue, with long noses and wearing tails. If people start wearing tails for aikido training, we are going to have to redesign the whole range of keikogi, especially the pants and hakama.

So I told my grandson Moriteru to deal with this, but however, he seemed TOTALLY unconcerned. "Ojii-chan," he said, "if people come to the Hombu Dojo wearing tails, be assured that we will deal with the situation very effectively. We are now a very efficient, smoothly-running organization." I was unconvinced, for I read somewhere that the folds in the hakama represented seven virtues; but we are now going to have to add an eighth virtue, for the correctly folded tail. What IS the world coming to? Anyway, I have not seen anyone wearing tails during training so far, but I must consult with Deguchi Sensei. He might have encountered some Blue Avatars during his later trips through the Spirit World. Deguchi Sensei is a constant source of inspiration, much like Goi Sensei, though the spiritual methods of the two are completely different. Deguchi Sensei is very refreshing, constantly regaling me with reports of visits to the spirit world and his activities with the spirits, though his use of the Male Member makes one blush. Goi Sensei, on the other hand, is rather more pedestrian, though he agrees with me much more often. However, all he seems to do is put up prayer signs everywhere wishing for peace on earth. Of course, this is all very worthy, but I don't like to tell him that my own work on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, working to unite the Three Realms, fully in tune with with Aiki as Aiki, is MUCH more effective than prayer signs. But only time will tell.

6.30

Went downstairs and prepared for practice. Decided to explain in more detail about the kotodama sound SU and how it created the universe. BUT EVERYTHING fell on TOTALLY stony ground (Now where have I heard this phrase before? Note to self: this is a very good phrase, totally appropriate for the current crop of uchi-deshi: I must start using it very often). Everybody just sat there looking stupid. They were probably hoping I'd stop talking and do some techniques. I am sure you can see the picture: people look at you intently and nod vigorously, hoping you will think they understand, as they shift their knees slightly from sitting in seiza for a long time. But when I finally summoned the Big American to take ukemi (I think his name is Dogson, Dodgson, Dobson, Fogson, Edison, or something like that: I prefer to call him Teru), he was far too powerful and got the timing, everything, completely wrong. Heavens, he couldn't even do the boat rowing exercise correctly and he should know by now that this is absolutely crucial for summoning the right kami for the training. When will these uchideshi ever learn?

Was still feeling grumpy after keiko, only to discover that the uchideshi on duty had not filled the morning bath water correctly. He had checked the temperature by putting his hand in the water, causing total contamination. They should know by now that bath water—any kind of water, has to be pristinely pure. Otherwise it is entirely useless for misogi. I keep on talking about this during keiko, but the uchideshi simply do not seem to get it. Only the other day, one of the deshi appeared in his underwear, for Heaven's sake. I think it was Saotome. So I sent him off the mat very promptly and made him sit in seiza and watch.

9.00

Felt much better after breakfast, which was duly prepared by She Who Must Be Obeyed, though she tore a strip off me for having to stitch my hakama, because some silly uke had torn it. She blamed me for not controlling my uke correctly, rather than the uke for not falling properly. (Obviously she knows rather more about aikido than I had realized.) During breakfast my wayward son was muttering something about doing some kind of public demonstration. It is so unfortunate that he failed the medical exams for the military. A spell in the Japanese Army, or even the new Occupation Forces (I think they are called Marines and from the look of some of the soldiers they appear to accept foreigners) would have given him some much-needed backbone.

10.00-12.00

Had another long conversation with Amaterasu and decided to go to Iwama, to talk in more detail with Susano O. Announced this to She Who Must Be Obeyed and there was a major panic. I have no idea why. She muttered something about train times, but I assured her that I ALWAYS arrive at the station at least one hour before the train departs, so there was no need to worry. Was assigned the deshi who killed the dog (I think his name is Chiba), but was told that my son Kisshomaru would also accompany me. I gather he wanted to discuss something very important.

16.00

I MISSED THE TRAIN TO IWAMA. This has NEVER happened before. I arrived at the station one hour before the train was due to depart, but discovered that I was five minutes late: the train had already departed. And Kisshomaru and the deshi were nowhere to be found. I was so annoyed. However, Deguchi told me to be patient. He had consulted with some of his own deity friends and assured me that it was my destiny to arrive in Iwama today.

18.00

Finally arrived in Iwama and took a welcome bath. The water was fine. Kisshomaru, who had taken the right train, was there to meet me with Saito Father and Son. Went to the shrine and discussed current issues with Susano O involving the Three Worlds. Explained about Amaterasu's problem, but I was quite astonished when he suggested I see the new Avatar film again—and he seemed quite unfazed about the strange noses and the tails. Told me that aikido had to be fully in tune with ecology, whatever this is.

20.00

Had a painful discussion with Kisshomaru after keiko. Apparently he has decided that aikido has to be popular, now the war has ended, and so wants to hold a public demonstration. When I retorted that one only does demonstrations in the presence of His Majesty, or on anniversaries of His Majesty, he held his ground and told me that he had the idea in August, 1945, when His Majesty announced Japan's surrender. Kisshomaru clearly has more backbone then I previously thought; obviously, he has been talking to his mother. I was rather shocked when he told me that the venue would be the ROOF of a department store, but he backed this up with an argument that many people would attend if it was held there and, anyway, aikido had to become relevant to the lives of common people, not aristocrats. Of course, he said he understood the sterling work I had been doing keeping the Three Worlds together, but stressed that his own work was firmly down here. He was quite firm about this and his second argument was that the Tokyo dojo had to be torn down and replaced with something much bigger and more fitting for aikido as a worldwide budo. Can't argue with that, though I shall miss the old wooden dojo. I told him to leave Iwama as it is, though. In any case Saito is still here and he is quite capable of standing up to Kisshomaru.

Anyway, it was morning when I woke up. Must have nodded off as Chiba was reading Reikai Monogatari last night. Got up and went outside to greet the Sun Goddess and hear the latest about Susano O…

Gokui no Utai

2010-03-19T11:17:00.006+01:00

Poema de los principios secretos. Encontrado en los pergaminos de Kukishin Ryû.

“No existe un pueblo en que la luz de la luna no brille,
pero en la mente del que mira parece que existe.
Los ligeros brillos de la luna caen sobre cada cosa.
Si sientes que no está brillando donde tu te encuentras,
es porque la mente del que está mirando está nublada.

Incluso la tierra lavada durante un diluvio,
dejándose llevar,
flotará en cualquier torrente.
Incluso la suciedad lavada llevada por un diluvio
flotará naturalmente en la superficie del agua.

Esto significa que aún cuando estás en una situación de desesperación,
si tu estado de ánimo es como el Sutemi,
proyectándote a lo lejos,
podrás encontrar una manera de vencer.

En todas las defensas que el cuerpo usa para mostrar valor,
el verdadero secreto es la mente.
Las posiciones del cuerpo parecen expresar la fuerza de cada uno
pero la verdadera fuerza está en el corazón.

¿No es el secreto o el poder hacer uso de la fuerza del enemigo, el corazón de un sauce en el viento?

Lo que es importante del camino marcial
es omitir el exceso de poder y usar la fuerza del oponente,
haciendo exactamente como las ramas del sauce
cuando son sopladas por el viento y oscilan sin tensión”

Keith Larman on Aikiken

2010-03-10T11:56:00.004+01:00

The always recurring theme of Aikiken has given one of the most complete advice in an internet forum in AikiWeb.

Quoted here:

I tried very hard to avoid any implication of superiority of anything. I practice Aikiken myself, usually daily as a break from my work. I do, however, also believe that some questions give the appearance of being easily answerable while hiding a myriad of vastly more complex questions that are not being asked. This is was one of those for me. In my training there have been many times when I've asked the same question only to be told to keep practicing. Over time you begin to realize that the question asked was not really answerable as there were 1000 things unasked, each arguably more important than the one asked. Or maybe a better analogy for me is the solving of a rubic's cube. People will get one surface correct and then ask what to do next. They don't want to hear that they have to destroy everything they've accomplished to "fix" the whole thing.

The cut doesn't exist in isolation.

A person with an incorrect grip will pull their elbows out to the side causing them to not get correctly "behind" the tsuka. This makes it very difficult to get a straight cut. Fix the grip.

A person with a correct grip can still push out their elbows. With the elbows out the person cannot get behind the tsuka correctly during the cut. Keep the elbows in correctly.

A person with a correct grip and elbows in will often push the sword too far forward, basically pushing their shoulders out of proper alignment. As the arms come down the realignment of the shoulders being out of phase can cause wobble. Keep the shoulders correctly in place throughout the arc of the cut.

A person with incorrect alignment of the hips to their shoulders (hence to the target) will often find themselves rotating slightly during the cut causing the shoulders to come out of alignment. Fix the body alignment.

A person with poor posture will often have to compensate throughout the movement causing alignment issues.

Footwork is always an issue as too much movement in any one direction can cause the same issues of rotation within the body. Remember that power is generated from the one-point/hara/dantien/whatever and sent through the body. The sword cuts, you guide, and power is a result of the entire body. When that does not happen muscles have to compensate and it becomes extremely difficult to keep a consistent path to the sword.

Overextension in any part of the body tends to cause wobbles as balance is thrown off. Control, control, control.

Hand dominance is a constant issue. Often hints such as "focus on the left hand for power, right hand for guidance" are given to a person who needs that advice due to how they're swinging. The same advice to someone else will just make their cut worse. The reality is that the hands have to work together seamlessly with the entire body transmitting movement. So advice here usually has to be given very carefully depending on the person's needs.

For some a lighter sword will help fix issues, especially if they're throwing themselves off balance. Other times a heavier sword will make the difference for the exact same issues. Control is the underlying thing being addressed. Sometimes having a lighter sword allows the person to find the proper "groove" for cutting. Sometimes a heavier sword slows them down enough for them to find the proper "groove" for cutting. So YMMV.

Keep in mind that everything as described up above may be slightly different depending on what style you study. Some styles do bigger cuts, some smaller. Some slashing, some cleaving. Some are very fast with small movements, some are bigger, mean, cut them in half type things. Some emphasize being square (hips/shoulders) to the opponent, others not so much. Some emphasize foot alignment as well that is square, others not so much. Those changes alone will dramatically change how cuts are done. So each style will address most of the above issues slightly differently because each thing affects the other. The individual "tips" exist as part of a larger whole. What works with one will be absolutely wrong for another because internal consistency is what matters. Later styles of swordsmanship tended to emphasize draw/cut movements. Some earlier styles (some regional differences as well) will emphasize a slightly different grip which allows a more "leveraged" fast movement of the blade. Watch Toby Threadgill's demos on youtube with the sword. Compare how the sword moves with someone doing something like iai. Very different in subtle ways. Neither is incorrect. But each does what they do with an internal consistency that is critical to proper form.

In the end (after that long post) my point originally was that most advice regarding swordsmanship cries out for a larger context to ensure that the internal consistency is there. I do iai differently at times than I do my aikiken. Because they are different. And I've seen many aikiken demonstrations by high ranking people of many styles and there are more differences than similarities. Straightening out a cut depends on what you're doing wrong. What's "wrong" or "right" depends on who you study with and how they do things.

This is not an issue of superiority. I enjoy aikiken. I would not give advice to someone from another style, however, because I don't know what they might be doing wrong. Because I wouldn't know what is "right" in their style.

But yes, there are basic things. Smooth cut. Don't over muscle. Slow down. Get good extension without over-committing. For the rest? Ask your sensei to watch and fix what you're doing wrong.

Now I'm sure some think I'm being an elitist snob anyway (I get e-mail, yes, I get e-mail...) I don't think it is a highjack but an attempt to see the larger picture.

That said, please do not hesitate to put me in your ignore list. Or just scroll right past.

So please pardon the intrusion in your thread. I was trying to answer the OP's questions as sincerely as possible.

The author, Keith Larman, is a member of Seidokan Aikido as well as a sword expert and has published some very detailed articles on the matter.

Keith Larman became interested in Japanese sword crafts in the late 1970’s. In the 1990’s he began training in traditional methods of polishing and mounting of the Japanese sword. In 2002 he decided to devote himself full-time to the profession of polishing and mounting.

Curso de Kempo con Jeff Speakman en Zaragoza

2010-03-09T21:51:00.006+01:00

Nihon Kobudo Aragón organiza un stage de Kempo con Jeff Speakman el 10 de Abril en el Polideportivo San Agustín en Zaragoza.

Sin duda alguna será un gran curso y una oportunidad única de trabajar con un maestro de su nivel.

Iaido in Iwama

2010-02-25T12:42:00.007+01:00

“I was uchideshi this year again for one month (tooooo short) and had the opportunity to learn Battojutsu directly from [Hitohiro Saito] Sensei. First, Sensei handed us the Iaito (the Tanrenkan has several) and told me, as the highest grade present, to practice suburi, and kumitachi. Since I did not know anything about it, I had to depend on Kasper (an excellent long time sotodeshi), and another day on Yasuhiro Saito, to teach me the Sekiguchi Ryu. About a week later, Sensei taught us directly with many details. It was a wonderful class. Sekiguchi Ryu is a ryu originally from Wakayama (O’Sensei’s country). It is a vigorous style with lots of kiai. We also practiced with live blades using some excellent swords that Sensei has.

One site where you can have a look at this Battojutsu style is bushinjuku.com.

It seems that Sensei has had a long connection with this style.”

Tristão da Cunha Sensei from Portugal.

Click here to view forum thread in Aikidojournal.

Aikido Principles

2010-02-23T22:08:00.010+01:00

Just found this while surfing the web and thought it would be interesting to share.

Fudo Genri (Immovable principles)

Four points towards Body, Mind and Spirit unity...

Concentrate on seika tanden or center.
Mind, heart and body must relax.
Feel the Ki in any movement and extend it
Mushin (no mind, or stop thinking too much)

Kihon Genri (Basic Principles)

These are movement principles that follow the Aiki Law or Natural Universe Law.

Chushin: Center line. Always move from your own center line. Connect to uke and bring him into your center line. Do not move his center line separate from yours.
Shuchu: Focus power starting from the mind into the body.
Kokyu: Breath power, connecting the energy of the body and the physical aspects.
Enshin: Circular movement or more precisely, spiralling. You can spiral inwards or outwards.

Aiki Genri

Energy principles, essential in resolving conflict.

Awase: Blending, to harmonise with incoming force not to avoid or fight it. Body leads the mind.
Musubi: Connection, stage two of harmonising. Musubi can occur in many levels not just at the physical level. Mind leads the body.
Nagare: Fluid movement, there is no stop in movement or conflict. Joining with partners energy and moving synergistic-ally.
Takemusu Aiki: Unlimited manifestation of Aiki. This is a stage when you are living in harmony with the universe. Technique is not essential because your opponent cannot defeat you since he will be fighting himself.

Five Stages of Understanding Aiki

Aiki no Kokoro: Understand and belief within your heart the principles of Aiki.
Aiki no Genri: Know and understand the Aiki Principles.
Aiki no Waza: Embody the techniques of Aiki in training and life.
Aiki no Chikara: Resulting from training and embodiment of Aiki principles, achieve the power of Aiki.
Aiki no Seishin: True Aiki. Its 'switched on' without your active participation.

[Source: Aikihut]

Sociedad General de Fabricantes de Mesas

2010-02-22T22:00:00.002+01:00

Recién llegado a mi dirección de correo electrónico:

Yo creo la Sociedad General de Fabricantes de Mesas.
Yo fabrico una mesa a Victor Manuel, él va, me la paga y se la lleva a su casa. Un día invita a comer a los corruptos de sus amigos para hacerse una cena con jabugo, ostras, caviar de Beluga y otras delicatessen propias de un currante como él.
Pues bueno, ¿cómo es que sus amigos están comiendo en MI mesa, disfrutando de ella Y NO ME ESTÁN PAGANDO?.
¿Que ya la pagó en su momento Victor Manuel y él hace lo que quiera con la mesa?. ¡De eso nada!.
Yo se la vendí a ÉL y no al gordo de Echanove que se está poniendo ciego comiendo en mi mesa.
Así que cada vez que alguien coma en una mesa y no sea éste el que la compró me tiene que pagar.
Pero espera, no solo eso, sino que al que saque beneficio económico de mi trabajo (la puta mesa), lo voy a sangrar.
Osea, todos los restaurantes que me paguen 2mil€ al mes por usar mis mesas. ¿Pero por qué restaurantes solo?, TODO EL MUNDO USA MESAS: las oficinas necesitan mesas para trabajar Y GANAN DINERO POR ELLO, los voy a sangrar a todos.
¿Una boda?, que paguen por las mesas, ¿NO PAGAN POR LOS LANGOSTINOS? (Victor Manuel dixit).
Pero claro, hay un problema: yo antes hacía mesas, pero hace años que no hago ni una y nadie usa una mesa mia. Pues no pasa nada, yo cobro por TODAS las mesas. Es más, por todo lo que tenga 4 patas y una tabla encima. Por si acaso, vete a saber si alguna de ellas es mia o de mis amigos de la Asosiación.
Pero da igual si esas mesas son de Ikea, YO las cobro y luego digo que el dinero se lo lleva Ikea.

Grab my wrist; no, really!

2010-02-22T12:56:00.007+01:00

One of the big problems people seem to have with Aikido is all the wrist grabbing. It seems silly and unnecessary if you come from a sport martial art school. If you’re into RBMA (reality based martial arts) then it seems only mildly useful, and only in self defense situations. Punching and kicking seem reasonable, headlocks, body to body clinching, these things are what martial arts should be about, right…
The biggest problem our martial art faces today, in terms of our ability to develop (as individuals and as a whole), is understanding what we are doing and why. There is so much confusion in our community as to what we are doing. Why do we practice such strange techniques? How does our system even work in a martial context?
Even if you are not interested in martial questions directly, this should be important to you. So you’ve never been in a fight, and don’t ever expect to be. You’re probably right, if you are a reasonable person, it’s unlikely that you will ever get into a fight. However even if you were never put in a position to “use” your martial arts training, this question is important to you. Not because of your ability to “use” Aikido outside of the dojo, but because of your ability to “use” Aikido inside of the dojo!

Para leer el artículo completo: aikidostudent.com

Guardería Magic Forest - Bilingüe en Utebo

2010-02-19T11:17:00.005+01:00

Mi vieja y buena amiga Toscahua se embarca junto con su socia María en la aventura de abrir una guerdería bilingüe en Utebo. Se estrenan este sábado con una jornada de puertas abiertas a la que no podéis faltar todos los nuevos padres que deseen una educación bilingüe y de calidad para los peques.

Más información en la web de la guardería Magic Forest en: www.guarderiamagicforest.es.

Fallece Kuroiwa Sensei

2010-02-18T13:26:00.005+01:00

Kuroiwa Yoshio Sensei falleció el pasado 19 de Enero a causa de un cancer de pulmón y enfisema. Con su fallecimiento perdemos a otro de los grandes.

Ellis Amdur publica una nota en su memoria en: In Memory of Kuroiwa Yoshio.

Descanse en paz, Kuroiwa Sensei.

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XVII)

2010-02-16T12:34:00.003+01:00

Tras dos meses de impaciente espera, ya tenemos el capítulo 17 de Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation del Profesor Goldsbury.

¡Ahora a leer y a disfrutar!

Chugairi

2010-02-05T13:12:00.004+01:00

A judoka recovered an old ju-jutsu technique.

On May 16 in Poasco (Milan), during AISE ‘s grade exam, Giancarlo Manenti, 5th dan from Siena, showed during randori an old breakfalling ju-jutsu technique named “chugairi”.

At Bu-sen Milano we always practised it as space conquest exercise (see training film), with the recommendation to our judokas not to use it because it was a technique reserved to jiu-jutsu expert, that could cause accidents to less skilled judokas.

Giancarlo Manenti took the Shodan in Siena, studied 5 years at Bu-sen Milano. When he went back to his native town he put right chugairi in randori as counter-attack to o-soto-gari, and ending up with waki-gatame or kesa-gatame (see randori film).

Due to this brilliant achievement proved in randori, as person in charge for exams, I've taken the liberty to propose him for 6th dan, as the only judoka in AISE who has brought a study of (I believe) worldwide relevance on judo to a conclusion.

I add some details: “ukemi” means “break-fall” and comprises all techniques that allow uke to absorb a fall escaping tori's control. Saigo Shiro nicknamed “The Cat” was famous for this. Among these techniques: Chugairi, Dai-sharin and mae-ukemi.

With the spread of judo, these techniques were considered unsafe and abandoned, admitting in the Ukemi category only techniques which permit to absorb the ippon without damages to the body.

-- Cesare Barioli

[Fuente: How do armbar?]

Ki

2010-01-08T14:45:00.005+01:00

Una miniserie de tres artículos de Mike Sigman:

Y un articulo de Howard Bornstein:

Aikido from the Inside Out. The Principles: Ki

Lectura para un ratito...

Exámenes de Grado de Nihon Taijutsu

2009-12-22T14:50:00.006+01:00

Anoche se realizaron exámenes de paso de grado de Nihon Taijutsu en el grupo Nihon Kobudo Aragón. Felicitar a todos los aspirantes por el alto nivel demostrado y, como no, a los sufridos ukes que recibieron inmerecidas palizas.

¡Por fin conseguí el segundo kyu de NTJ, después de tantos años! Vamos lento pero creo que estamos en el buen camino. Cómo no, gracias a Miguel Ángel Ibáñez por su santa paciencia con nosotros!

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XVI)

2009-12-16T23:52:00.002+01:00

Imperdonable el retraso por mi parte, pero aquí teneis el capítulo 16 de Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation del Profesor Goldsbury.

El día que saque el libro va a ser referencia obligatoria en todas las escuelas de Aikido!

Manifiesto ‘En defensa de los derechos fundamentales en Internet’

2009-12-02T11:56:00.002+01:00

Ante la inclusión en el Anteproyecto de Ley de Economía sostenible de modificaciones legislativas que afectan al libre ejercicio de las libertades de expresión, información y el derecho de acceso a la cultura a través de Internet, los periodistas, bloggers, usuarios, profesionales y creadores de internet manifestamos nuestra firme oposición al proyecto, y declaramos que…

1.- Los derechos de autor no pueden situarse por encima de los derechos fundamentales de los ciudadanos, como el derecho a la privacidad, a la seguridad, a la presunción de inocencia, a la tutela judicial efectiva y a la libertad de expresión.

2.- La suspensión de derechos fundamentales es y debe seguir siendo competencia exclusiva del poder judicial. Ni un cierre sin sentencia. Este anteproyecto, en contra de lo establecido en el artículo 20.5 de la Constitución, pone en manos de un órgano no judicial -un organismo dependiente del ministerio de Cultura-, la potestad de impedir a los ciudadanos españoles el acceso a cualquier página web.

3.- La nueva legislación creará inseguridad jurídica en todo el sector tecnológico español, perjudicando uno de los pocos campos de desarrollo y futuro de nuestra economía, entorpeciendo la creación de empresas, introduciendo trabas a la libre competencia y ralentizando su proyección internacional.

4.- La nueva legislación propuesta amenaza a los nuevos creadores y entorpece la creación cultural. Con Internet y los sucesivos avances tecnológicos se ha democratizado extraordinariamente la creación y emisión de contenidos de todo tipo, que ya no provienen prevalentemente de las industrias culturales tradicionales, sino de multitud de fuentes diferentes.

5.- Los autores, como todos los trabajadores, tienen derecho a vivir de su trabajo con nuevas ideas creativas, modelos de negocio y actividades asociadas a sus creaciones. Intentar sostener con cambios legislativos a una industria obsoleta que no sabe adaptarse a este nuevo entorno no es ni justo ni realista. Si su modelo de negocio se basaba en el control de las copias de las obras y en Internet no es posible sin vulnerar derechos fundamentales, deberían buscar otro modelo.

6.- Consideramos que las industrias culturales necesitan para sobrevivir alternativas modernas, eficaces, creíbles y asequibles y que se adecuen a los nuevos usos sociales, en lugar de limitaciones tan desproporcionadas como ineficaces para el fin que dicen perseguir.

7.- Internet debe funcionar de forma libre y sin interferencias políticas auspiciadas por sectores que pretenden perpetuar obsoletos modelos de negocio e imposibilitar que el saber humano siga siendo libre.

8.- Exigimos que el Gobierno garantice por ley la neutralidad de la Red en España, ante cualquier presión que pueda producirse, como marco para el desarrollo de una economía sostenible y realista de cara al futuro.

9.- Proponemos una verdadera reforma del derecho de propiedad intelectual orientada a su fin: devolver a la sociedad el conocimiento, promover el dominio público y limitar los abusos de las entidades gestoras.

10.- En democracia las leyes y sus modificaciones deben aprobarse tras el oportuno debate público y habiendo consultado previamente a todas las partes implicadas. No es de recibo que se realicen cambios legislativos que afectan a derechos fundamentales en una ley no orgánica y que versa sobre otra materia.

Este texto se publica multitud de sitios web. Si estás de acuerdo, publícalo también en tu blog, twittéalo, facebookéalo.

Terminado el primer Nihon Jujutsu Taikai de IMAF Spain

2009-11-23T14:11:00.009+01:00

El pasado fin de semana tuvo lugar el primer Nihon Jujutsu Taikai de IMAF Spain, dirigido por José Miranda Sensei, delegado de IMAF Europe para España.

Durante la primera jornada se trabajaron las distintas líneas de Jujutsu englobadas en IMAF Spain, lo que nos sirvió para obtener una más completa visión de diferentes formas de trabajo, unas más tradicionales y otras más modernas. Con cuatro tatamis a nuestra disposición, nos dividimos según el grado de cada uno para estudiar las técnicas correspodientes a nuestro nivel. Todos los maestros pasaron por los cuatro tatamis para que nadie se quedara sin probar ninguno de los sabores del Nihon Jujutsu de la Asociación.

Los maestros Mònica Sánchez, Xavi Teixidó, José Miranda, Juan Antonio Salas, José Manuel Guisado, Miguel Ángel Ibáñez, Marcel del Río, Salvador Arbós... todos mostraron su capacidad técnica y rico conocimiento del arte.

La jornada del domingo sirvió para mostrar el programa técnico hasta primer dan del Nihon Kobudo, exponiendo los trabajos de Tanbo, Hanbo y Suntetsu. Un gran trabajo de rescate de las escuelas clásicas por parte del Maestro Miranda.

Agradecer a la organización y a los maestros el que pasáramos un gran fin de semana.

1er Nihon Jujutsu Taikai IMAF Spain

2009-11-05T14:11:00.008+01:00

Nos complace compartir con vosotros uno de nuestros eventos importantes del año. El segundo fin de semana de noviembre se celebrará el 1er Nihon Jujutsu Taikai IMAF Spain. Un certamen completamente abierto a practicantes de cualquier disciplina marcial, incluso a los no pertenecientes a IMAF Spain.

Programa TAIKAI

El Sábado 14, durante todo el día trabajaremos Jujutsu, en 4 tatami simultáneos
El Domingo 15, durante la mañana trabajaremos Nihon Kobujutsu: Tanbojutsu, Hanbojutsu, Suntetsu/Tenouchijutsu.

Lugar

Pabellón Polideportivo de LLers (3 Km. de Figueres), Girona. www.llers.info

Cuotas

30€, curso completo a miembros IMAF
45€, curso completo a NO miembros IMAF

SÁBADO 14, programa.

09.30 Inscripciones
10.00 Comienzo (presentación, asignación de tatami,etc.)
13.00 Finalizan clases
13.45 Comida de Profesores.
13.45 Comienzan las Clases
18.30 Finalizan las Clases. Entrega de Diplomas y Actos de protocolo.
19.15 Asamblea Nacional IMAF España (1)

DOMINGO 15, programa.

09.30 Comienzan las clases Nihon Kobudo Tanbo-Hanbo-Suntetsu programa 1º Dan.
13.00 Finalizan las clases.

Profesorado

José Miranda, 7º dan Aikijujutsu
José Guisado, 7º dan Jujutsu
Marcel del Rio, 6º dan Jujutsu
Salvador Arbós, 6º dan Jujutsu
Juan Antonio Salas, 5º dan Aikijujutsu
Xavier Teixidó, 4º dan Aikijujutsu
Miguel A. Ibáñez, 4º dan Aikijujutsu
José L. Lorente, 4º dan Jujutsu

Alojamiento

Hotel Sidorme Figueres, a precios muy asequibles.
www.sidorme.com/hotel-economico/sidorme-figueres

Información y reservas en dama@ctv.es, Tel.: 669 55 71 13.

OS ESPERAMOS!!!

Serie Nihon Jujutsu: "Atemi Giho" por Xavier Teixidó

2009-10-28T18:09:00.004+01:00

Calentito de la prensa, la Editorial Alas publica por fin Atemi Giho. Técnicas de golpeo en el Jujutsu tradicional japonés, el primer libro de Xavier Teixidó, que versa sobre las técnicas de golpeo dentro del Nihon Jujutsu.

Esta es la reseña de la Editorial Alas:

Colección Nihon Jujutsu. Volumen I
Atemi Giho (método de golpeo), es el primero de los 5 volúmenes dedicados a la historia y técnica de las escuelas de Nihon Jujutsu. En este primer texto, el autor nos adentra en los orígenes históricos de estas técnicas en Japón, los detalles de cada escuela, las formas de entrenamiento y series prácticas que muestran su uso en el arte flexible japonés.

Esperamos con mal disimulada ansia el día de su puesta a la venta, que el autor estima sea a mediados de noviembre.

Velocidades (y costos) de acceso a internet de banda ancha en el mundo

2009-10-27T11:34:00.006+01:00

España, como siempre, vergonzosamente por la cola. Tanto en velocidad de acceso como en el costo de la conexión. Click para ampliar el gráfico.

Religion vs. science / TMA vs. MMA

2009-10-22T18:21:00.005+02:00

Since I practice both a traditional martial art (aikido) and mixed martial arts, I often get caught up with lots of arguments and discussions about the relative merits of the two. It's a touchy subject, since experienced TMA practitioners are highly invested in their arts, and MMA practitioners often have TMA experience that they "outgrew", so personal bias comes into play a lot.

For me, the two are not competing against each other, they are orthogonal in their attributes, overlap some, and only become antagonistic when someone postulates an either-or scenario. This is very similar to debates about religion vs. science or faith vs. evidence.

First, let's get some definitions out of the way. For me, a traditional martial art is one that emphasizes martial artistry along with cultural and character attributes. They are generally very formal, have a rigid hierarchy (often denoted by titles such as 'master', 'sifu', and 'sensei' and colored belts indicating rank), and tons of splinter groups and off-shoots from "mainlines". Examples of TMAs include the various flavors of aikido; karate-do; judo; tae kwon do; kung fu; wing chun; and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Most of these arts also claim to be extremely effective in self-defense situations and/or particularly lethal, an assertion based on their heritage and not on evidence.

Related to these are what I call "sporting martial arts". These are combat sports that are generally one-dimensional, have competitions governed by rigid rules, and often lack formal or culturally steeped rules of etiquette. Amateur wrestling, boxing, and, to a lesser degree, Muay Thai kickboxing are examples of this. Ironically these don't really claim to be strong for self-defense due to their one-dimensional nature, but their training methods make them surprisingly effective for that purpose. BJJ is a sporting art as well, but its roots are in self-defense and NHB fights so I don't put it in this classification.

A mixed martial art combines the techniques of multiple combat sports and martial arts, and eschews the rigorous rules of conduct and hierarchies typically seen at a traditional martial art. MMA practitioners train at a gym (not a dojo or kwoon), don't have a belt system, don't practice forms or kata, and work under a coach.

MMA arose in two big steps.

The first was Bruce Lee's introduction of the Jeet Kune Do philosophy, which discarded the dogma of "you train under one style only" in favor of "use those techniques which work, discard the rest". This was a revolutionary concept at the time (if you ignore a couple of the "ancient MMAs" such as aikijujutsu and ancient Greek pankration) and counter to the rigid mindset of so many traditional martial arts.

The second step, and quite possibly the most important, was the arrival of mixed martial arts as a sport, with organizations such as the UFC, Pride, Rings, various K-1 derivatives, IFL, Cage Rage, Rumble on the Rock, and so on providing fight cards and venues. This greatly popularized the sport of MMA and, at the same time, the notion of MMA as a martial art in its own right.

And it was about this time that the TMA crowd freaked the fuck out. To understand why, you need to realize that traditional martial arts typically do not have full contact sparring with "anything goes" type rules. Almost all TMAs require a uniform that is very unlike street clothes. Each style limits the techniques for sparring to emphasize that style's strengths. Almost all striking styles (tae kwon do, kyokushin, goju ryu, et. al.) disallow clinching, throws, or joint locks during sparring; often require heavy padding; and in some cases disallow many types of practical strikes (TKD doesn't allow knees or kicks to the leg; kyokushin does not allow punches or elbows to the face). Almost all grappling styles (judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu) disallow striking during sparring.

There's nothing particularly wrong with all that, but these limitations mean that a style's effectiveness is a matter of faith. Too often bold claims were made about a particular style's lethality, i.e. "I could use these killer techniques but I'd maim you, so I can't spar". This is, not to put too fine a point on it, bullshit.

Why is it bullshit? Because, as Jigoro Kano (creator of judo) discovered almost 100 years ago, if you do not practice your techniques against a fully resisting opponent, then you have not mastered that technique. That is an absolutely unavoidable reality. If you possess some devastating joint break or nose smash or eye gouge or throat crush that you've never actually used it, then there's no way you can tell if it's effectiven (in absolute terms) and if you've really mastered it.

This is where many sporting martial arts (and judo, which is part TMA and part sport), developed a practical advantage, even with huge gaps in their curricula. A practitioner of a sport art competes against others on a regular basis, exposing them to opponents that do not want a technique performed on them. By using only techniques that won't kill someone, combatants can use their full repertoire at full speed and power.

This has a couple benefits. The first is that a student truly learns how to use a technique, under duress, and under less than ideal circumstances. This cannot be emphasized enough. The second is almost entirely intangible -- the student learns to deal with conflict and confrontation at high speed. Many TMAs train students using rote partner drills or unrealistic attack patterns (aikido's randori). The student's mettle is rarely tested against an attacker using skills or strategies outside that TMA's comfort zone.

A boxer may not be great at take downs or kicks, but he's usually very comfortable having someone trying to knock his head off. A wrestler may not have good striking skills, but he's used to someone trying to tackle him and slam him to the ground. Real world experience will trump theoretically dominant skill sets almost every time.

Now, MMA is the polar opposite of a TMA when it comes to the effectiveness of a technique -- it is purely evidence based. Faith doesn't play into it. Techniques are researched, developed, enhanced, and then tested in the crucible of a mat, ring, or cage. Techniques that simply do not work very well eventually fall by the wayside, so you have an accelerated evolutionary mechanism at work.

Over the past 15 years this has been strikingly evident in the MMA world. In the early days of the UFC you had Brazilian jiu-jitsu guys dominate using very rudimentary take downs and almost no striking skills. Over time wrestlers with superior take downs and take down defense, but sub par striking and submission abilities, started to dominate the scene. Then fighters like Fedor, BJ Penn, Wanderlei Silva, and GSP started showing up. They would use Brazilian jiu-jitsu submissions, wrestling take downs and take down defense, boxing punches, and Muay Thai kicks and knees.

MMA practitioners today are much, much different than those of even 10 years ago. An MMA fighter today probably still specializes in one domain, but he will be at least "good enough" in every other facet of the game or he won't be competitive. This is the evolution of MMA today.

MMA techniques and training regimens are based on evidence, not faith. You don't learn a technique with a master scowling at you saying "This will work when you need it, trust me!" If you can't pull off something, you won't use it, and you'll find out soon enough if you can pull it off.

TMAs, on the other hand, don't have the laboratory of no-holds barred competition with which to evolve, which is why, by and large, the goju-ryu or wing chun of today is nearly identical to that of 50 years ago.

TMA practitioners have their counterarguments when it comes to pure combat efficiency. The most common is that a TMA isn't a "sport" and thus is potentially more lethal. But as I discussed earlier, if you have a host of lethal techniques that you've never used against someone trying to beat the crap out of you, it's doubtful that you'll be able to use them when the shit hits the fan. The second most common, and ironic, argument is that a TMA is more effective "for real" since MMA competitions occur inside a regulated ring, wearing protective gear, minimal clothing, no weapons, and a well-defined one-on-one scenario.

This claim of "more realistic" would have a lot more weight if TMAs regularly trained in street clothes, wearing shoes, with weapons, against multiple opponents, and outside on concrete or inside on hardwood floors -- using a wide range of techniques. But they don't, making the argument specious at best.

So all that said, I must be pretty down on TMAs, right? NOT AT ALL! As I said at the beginning, I still practice a TMA (aikido) regularly. And here's why: MMA and TMA offer completely different things.

If you want to learn how to fight, then I do strongly believe than an MMA is going to be far more effective than any TMA in existence. It's faith vs. science -- I have evidence of MMA effectiveness and, more importantly, as I progress with MMA I can test my own abilities. It is true that MMAs are really optimized for fighting against someone who also has training, but I don't consider that a liability. Many TMAs are really setup to fight against others of their own style or against completely untrained opponents.

But not everything is about fighting. TMAs offer a host of valid benefits:

minimal but real exposure to history and cultural information
a feeling of learning an art form. For many people things like kata, practice drills, etc. are relaxing all on their own.
flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular improvement
relaxed environments where you can hang out and have a good time without feeling competitive pressure
a feeling of accomplishment based on your own advancement, not on your competitive ability

For some these benefits are absolutely massive. There are people that would be woefully uncomfortable wearing board shorts, rashguard, and mouthpiece while getting the shit kicked out of them. For your average house wife or mid-40s executive, something like tai-chi or wing chun or shotokan may be just what they're looking for.

An MMA practitioner poo-pooing those elements is missing the point entirely -- those features of a TMA aren't meant to appeal to an MMA practitioner hell bent on crushing the opposition.

If you want to learn how to fight, then MMA is the answer. But MMA training would leave a lot of people empty and cold, people who would otherwise find deep satisfaction with a TMA.

The analogy is religion vs. science. Religion doesn't make a lot of sense to a lot of people, and it may not be practical as a cure for cancer or your financial problems, but it's a source of wonderment, comfort, and camaraderie with like minded individuals. And this is what TMAs are like.

Science won't comfort you or tell you what you want to hear, but it will provide data in a measureble, repeatable format based on experiments and observed behaviour. It is up to you to draw what you can from MMA, but it cares not for your own needs. But you can rely on it to be fairly objective or, more callously, uncaring.

And as in the modern world, religion and science are not mutually exclusive, unless you choose to put them at odds with each other. TMAs and MMAs can coexist as long as you understand their roles and accept their limitations. And if you choose not to do both, that's great, but don't disparage the other because you're projecting your values onto something that isn't a good fit for you.

[Fuente: mma-journey.blogspot.com]

Los Impuestos

2009-10-08T13:43:00.004+02:00

Todos los días 10 hombres se reunen en un bar para charlar y beber cerveza. La cuenta total de los diez hombres es de 100€.

Acuerdan pagarla de la manera proporcional en que se pagan los impuestos en la sociedad de un país, con lo que la cosa sería más o menos así, según la escala de riqueza e ingresos de cada uno:

Los primeros 4 hombres (los más pobres) no pagan nada.
El 5º paga 1€.
El 6º paga 3€.
El 7º paga 7€.
El 8º paga 12€.
El 9º paga 18€.
El 10º (el más rico) paga 59€.

A partir de entonces, todos se divertían y mantenian este acuerdo entre ellos, hasta que, un día, el dueño del bar les metió en un problema: “Ya que ustedes son tan buenos clientes,” les dijo, “Les voy a reducir el costo de sus cervezas diarias en 20€. Los tragos desde ahora costarán 80€.”

El grupo, sin embargo, planteó seguir pagando la cuenta en la misma proporción que lo hacían antes.

Los cuatro primeros siguieron bebiendo gratis; la rebaja no les afectaba en absoluto.

¿Pero qué pasaba con los otros seis bebedores, los que realmente abonan la cuenta? ¿Cómo debían repartir los 20€ de rebaja de manera que cada uno recibiese una porción justa?

Calcularon que los 20€ divididos entre 6 eran 3,33€, pero, si restaban eso de la porción de cada uno, entonces el 5º y 6º hombre estarían cobrando para beber, ya que el 5º pagaba antes 1€ y el 6º, 3€. Entonces el barman sugirió que sería justo reducir la cuenta de cada uno por, aproximadamente, la misma proporción, y procedió a calcular la cantidad que cada uno debería pagar.

El 5º bebedor, lo mismo que los cuatro primeros, no pagaría nada: (100% de ahorro).
El 6º pagaría ahora 2€ en lugar de 3€: ( ahorro 33%)
El 7º pagaría 5€ en lugar de 7€: ( ahorro 28%).
El 8º pagaría 9€ en lugar de 12€: ( ahorro 25%).
El 9º pagaría 14€ en lugar de 18€: ( ahorro 22%).
El 10º pagaría 49€ en lugar de 59€:( ahorro 16%).

Cada uno de los seis pagadores estaba ahora en una situación mejor que antes: los primeros cuatros bebedores seguían bebiendo gratis y un quinto tambien.

Pero, una vez fuera del bar, comenzaron a comparar lo que estaban ahorrando.

“Yo sólo recibí un euro de los 20€ ahorrados,” dijo el 6º hombre: señaló al 10º bebedor diciendo “Pero él recibió 10€”.

“Sí, es correcto,” dijo el 5º hombre. “Yo también sólo ahorré 1€; es injusto que él reciba diez veces más que yo.”

“Verdad!!”, exclamó el 7º hombre. “¿Por qué recibe él 10€ de rebaja cuando yo recibo sólo 2€? Los ricos siempre reciben los mayores beneficios!”

“Un momento!”, gritaron los cuatro primeros al mismo tiempo. “Nosotros no hemos recibido nada de nada. El sistema explota a los pobres!”

Los nueve hombres rodearon al 10º y le dieron una paliza.

La noche siguiente el 10º hombre no acudió a beber, de modo que los nueve se sentaron y bebieron sus cervezas sin él. Pero a la hora de pagar la cuenta descubrieron algo inquietante:

Entre todos ellos no juntaban el dinero para pagar ni siquiera LA MITAD de la cuenta.

Y así es, amigos y amigas, periodistas y profesores universitarios, gremialistas y asalariados, profesionales y gente de la calle, la manera en que funciona el sistema de impuestos. La gente que paga los impuestos más altos son los que se benefician más de una reducción de impuestos. Póngales impuestos muy altos, atáquenlos por ser ricos, y lo más probable es que no aparezcan nunca más.. De hecho, es casi seguro que comenzarán a beber en algún bar en el extranjero donde la atmósfera es algo más amigable.

Moraleja: “El problema con el socialismo es que eventualmente uno termina quedándose sin el dinero de la otra gente.”

Para quienes comprenden, no es necesaria una explicación.

Pilar Bardem quiere cobrar a los hospitales por poner la televisión a los enfermos

2009-10-08T10:06:00.006+02:00

Pilar Bardem, a la «caza» de las clínicas privadas

La sociedad de gestión que preside quiere cobrar un canon a los hospitales por poner la televisión a los enfermos.

La recaudación de los derechos intelectuales empieza a extenderse como la espuma. Al carro de la Sociedad General de Autores (SGAE) se han sumado otras entidades de gestión menos conocidas para el gran público, que han puesto la mira en sectores vírgenes en este tipo de actuaciones. Es el caso de Aisge, siglas que corresponden a Artistas, Intérpretes, Sociedad de Gestión, entidad que preside la actriz Pilar Bardem. Esta entidad administra la propiedad intelectual de los actores, dobladores, bailarines y directores de escena, y entre sus fines figura «la recaudación de los derechos intelectuales de los artistas de ámbito audiovisual y su posterior reparto». El lugar que ha elegido para recaudar tales derechos son las clínicas privadas, y el motivo es el uso que los enfermos hacen de la televisión.
El punto de partida de esta ofensiva, que ha generado un profundo malestar en el sector, fue una carta remitida a a Federación Nacional de Clínicas Privadas (FNCP) el 22 de enero. El siguiente paso ha sido la demanda interpuesta este verano contra la Clínica Santa Isabel de Sevilla, en la que se reclama el pago del canon. En la misiva inicial, el director de Recaudación de Aisge, Carlos Álvarez de la Mata, expone que el motivo es «hacer efectiva la remuneración que corresponde... a los artistas intérpretes del audiovisual representados por Aisge, como consecuencia de todos los actos de comunicación pública, en la modalidad de transmisión y/o retransmisión de grabaciones audiovisuales, que realizan los centros de hospitalización privada integrados en la FNCP, esencialmente en las habitaciones de tales establecimientos».

Para ello, el recaudador a las órdenes de la entidad de Bardem ofrece a las clínicas la posibilidad de una negociación sobre las tarifas oficiales, que, de acuerdo con el anexo enviado, son las siguientes: «Por actos de comunicación pública de obras y grabaciones audiovisuales en zonas comunes del establecimiento de hospedaje, 45 euros trimestrales por cada local o zona común o acceso público; por actos similares en el interior de las habitaciones del establecimiento asimilado, una tarifa de 1,5 euros al trimestre por habitación ocupada, y de 1,12 euros al trimestre por habitación disponible; y por actos de visionado o consumo unitario de grabaciones audiovisuales en las habitaciones del establecimiento, 0,30 euros por cada visionado».

Estupefacción

Fuentes jurídicas de la Federación explicaron que el sentimiento de ésta tras recibir la petición del pago fue de «estupefacción», y aseguraron que la misma suscitó rechazo, por entender que no es extrapolable a los hospitales la sentencia europea de 2006 que obliga a los hoteles al pago. «Aunque estamos a la espera de un informe jurídico, entendemos que el hecho de que un enfermo vea la televisión no significa que asista a la difusión de una actuación».

Los hospitales privados achacan a la negativa la demanda contra la Clínica Santa Isabel. En la denuncia, Aisge asegura que dicho establecimiento presta «una serie de servicios a sus pacientes, entre los que se encuentra el de disponer sus 84 habitaciones de aparatos de televisión», exigiendo la correspondiente indemnización porque «es evidente que a través de esos aparatos se emiten, entre otros, obras y/o grabaciones audiovisuales que contienen la fijación de interpretaciones artísticas que constituyen el repertorio de Aisge». Este periódico contactó tres veces con la sociedad, pero nadie de ella quiso opinar sobre la polémica.

Insistencia en cobrar el canon

Aisge ha efectuado un minucioso trabajo antes de demandar a la Clínica Santa Isabel. En 2008, reclamó la indemnización a la Asociación de Centros y Empresas de Hospitalización Privada. Más tarde, insistió a través de un burofax con certificación de texto y acuse de recibo. Ya en enero, optó como interlocutor por la Federación Nacional, reiterando a la misma su deseo de cobrar el canon por medio de otro burofax. Su insistencia, le llevó a mantener una reunión con el abogado de esta última, y a remitirle un protocolo de intenciones. Como obtuvo el silencio por respuesta, empleó de nuevo la vía del burofax.

[Fuente: larazon.es]

Crónicas Bárbaras: Las hijas de Obama

2009-09-28T00:48:00.007+02:00

El matrimonio Obama y sus hijas Malia Ann, de 11 años, y Natasha, de ocho, no parecen radicales izquierdistas como afirma la derecha de su país, sino una familia típica estadounidense de clase media-alta, conservadora de los buenos hábitos.

En EE.UU. el político aparentemente más izquierdista acude los domingos a su iglesia rodeado de los suyos, lo que incrementa su credibilidad ante la mayoría de sus conciudadanos.

La intimidad familiar más tradicional se explota hasta extremos chocantes, como el de la foto de Natasha arrastrándose por el Despacho Oval hacia la mesa de su padre, en una imitación de la escena de John-John Kennedy en 1963, mucho más pequeño que, para su edad, la muy desarrollada hija de Obama.

A los Obama acaban de verlos en Nueva York los españoles Rodríguez Zapatero-Espinosa, y sus hijas Laura, de 16 años, y Alba, de 14, que abandonaron unos días su centro público de Madrid, un instituto.

Mientras, las niñas Obama asistían al Sidwell Friends School, en Washington, elitista escuela privada regida por cuáqueros, rigurosos protestantes que imponen la excelencia educativa, conductual y estética.

Las hijas de los Rodríguez-Espinosa, cuyos rostros se deforman en las fotografías españolas por ser menores de edad --aunque la mayor podría abortar sin conocimiento familiar de prosperar una ley de su padre--, aparecían vestidas de góticas, tribu urbana inspirada en la brujería, el sadismo y el satanismo, característicos de rockeros como Marilyn Manson, apellido adoptado en honor del multiasesino Charles Manson.

Los Obama nunca permitirían que sus hijas se relacionaran con alguien así. Sus valores públicos, éticos y estéticos, se enfrentan a esas provocaciones antirreligiosas y proviolencia que, entre estadounidenses representativos, sólo sirven para disfraces de brujas en Halloween: los Rodríguez-Espinosa adelantaron cinco semanas la fecha.

[Fuente: cronicasbarbaras.blogs.com]

Por el placer de la lectura

2009-09-27T00:31:00.006+02:00

Se pretende obligar a las bibliotecas públicas a pagar 20 céntimos por cada libro prestado en concepto de canon para 'resarcir' a los autores.

Mientras la gente de a pie apenas llega a fin de mes, los ya millonarios se forran a cuenta nuestra. No consientas tamaño atentado contra la cultura y pasa este mensaje a todos tus amigos.

POR EL PLACER DE LA LECTURA: La SGAE (Sociedad General de Autores) ataca de nuevo. Escrito y firmado por José Luis Sampedro, escritor.

POR LA LECTURA
Cuando yo era un muchacho, en la España de 1931, vivía en Aranjuez un Maestro Nacional llamado D. Justo G. Escudero Lezamit. A punto de jubilarse, acudía a la escuela incluso los sábados por la mañana aunque no tenía clases porque allí, en un despachito que le habían cedido, atendía su biblioteca circulante. Era suya porque la había creado él solo, con libros donados por amigos, instituciones y padres de alumnos. Sus 'clientes' éramos jóvenes y adultos, hombres y mujeres. Allí descubrí a Dickens y a Baroja, leí a Salgari y a Karl May.
Muchos años después hice una visita a un bibliotequita de un pueblo madrileño. No parecía haber sido muy frecuentada, pero se había hecho cargo recientemente una joven titulada quien había ideado crear un rincón exclusivo para los niños con un trozo de moqueta para sentarlos.
Al principio las madres acogieron la idea con simpatía porque les servía de guardería. Tras recoger a sus hijos en el colegio los dejaban allí un rato mientras terminaban de hacer sus compras, pero cuando regresaban a por ellos, no era raro que los niños, intrigados por el final, pidieran quedarse un ratito más hasta terminar el cuento que estaban leyendo. Durante la espera, las madres curioseaban, cogían algún libro, lo hojeaban y a veces también ellas quedaban prendadas.
Tiempo después me enteré de que la experiencia había dado sus frutos: algunas lectoras eran mujeres que nunca habían leído antes de que una simple moqueta en manos de una joven bibliotecaria les descubriera otros mundos. Y aún más años después descubrí otro prodigio en un gran hospital de Valencia. La biblioteca de atención al paciente, con la que mitigan las largas esperas y angustias tanto de familiares como de los propios enfermos, fue creada por iniciativa y voluntarismo de una empleada. Con un carrito del supermercado cargado de libros donados, paseándose por las distintas plantas, con largas peregrinaciones y luchas con la administración intentando convencer a burócratas y médicos no siempre abiertos a otras consideraciones, de que el conocimiento y el placer que proporciona la lectura puede contribuir a la curación, al cabo de los años ha logrado dotar al hospital y sus usuarios de una biblioteca con un servicio de préstamos y unas actividades que le han valido, además del prestigio y admiración de cuantos hemos pasado por ahí, un premio del gremio de libreros en reconocimiento a su labor en favor del libro.
Evoco ahora estos tres de entre los muchos ejemplos de tesón bibliotecario al enterarme de que resurge la amenaza del préstamo de pago. Se pretende obligar a las bibliotecas a pagar 20 céntimos por cada libro prestado en concepto de canon para resarcir -eso dicen- a los autores del desgaste del préstamo.
Me quedo confuso y no entiendo nada. En la vida corriente el que paga una suma es porque: a) obtiene algo a cambio. b) es objeto de una sanción.
Y yo me pregunto: ¿qué obtiene una biblioteca pública, una vez pagada la adquisición del libro para prestarlo? ¿O es que debe ser multada por cumplir con su misión, que es precisamente ésa, la de prestar libros y fomentar la lectura?
Por otro lado, ¿qué se les desgasta a los autores en la operación?.¿Acaso dejaron de cobrar por el libro?. ¿Se les leerá menos por ser lecturas prestadas?¿Venderán menos o les servirá de publicidad el préstamo como cuando una fábrica regala muestras de sus productos? Pero, sobre todo: ¿Se quiere fomentar la lectura? ¿Europa prefiere autores más ricos pero menos leídos? No entiendo a esa Europa mercantil. Personalmente prefiero que me lean y soy yo quien se siente deudor con la labor bibliotecaria en la difusión de mi obra.
Sépanlo quienes, sin preguntarme, pretenden defender mis intereses de autor cargándose a las bibliotecas. He firmado en contra de esa medida en diferentes ocasiones y me uno nuevamente a la campaña.
¡NO AL PRÉSTAMO DE PAGO EN BIBLIOTECAS!
José Luis Sampedro

Cuánto tenemos que aguantar a la SGAE y al Gobierno que le hace el juego...!

Señora ministra de Sanidad, escúcheme usted

2009-09-23T17:16:00.007+02:00

Un poco tarde, pero hoy he recibido la siguiente nota por email. No tiene desperdicio. Lean, lean...

9 de septiembre de 2009
Señora ministra, le propongo que sea usted la primera española que se vacune contra la gripe A. De hecho, con este despropósito llamado autonomías, si se vacuna usted y toda la cartera de gente que nos gobierna en España, el grupo control sería lo suficientemente grande como para sentirnos todos más seguros.
Verá usted, le agradezco que me haya colocado a la cabeza de los grupos de riesgo y que tenga usted tantísimo interés en que no me coja la gripe. Entiendo que usted me necesita para que el sistema de salud no se colapse; sin embargo, es una gran pena que al igual que usted se preocupa por mi salud y de repente me valore como un bien nacional, no se preocupe por mi situación laboral. La invito a que venga a ver mi contrato o el del resto de los médicos en este país. La gran mayoría trabajamos con contratos que en el resto de la Europa antigua serían una vergüenza.
Señora ministra, se les está marchando el asunto de las manos. Está ya más que claro que este virus, aunque muy contagioso, es muy poco agresivo y más del 95% de los casos cursa de manera leve. Se espera un máximo de 500 fallecimientos frente a los 1500 a 3000 que provoca la gripe tradicional.
Mientras tanto, usted está permitiendo un despilfarro de recursos inaceptable. Muchos hospitales en el país están siendo objeto de cambios arquitectónicos absurdos e innecesarios para prepararse para una hecatombe que ya sabemos no va a ocurrir. Se han gastado ustedes 333 millones de euros en esta pandemia de color y fantasía. La letalidad del virus es del 0.018%, francamente irrisoria.
Señora ministra, déjeme que le recuerde que la gripe A ha matado de momento a 23 personas y que tiene una tasa de incidencia de 40-50 casos por semana y 100.000 habitantes. Sin embargo, el tabaco produce en España 40.000 muertes al año y 6.000 por tabaquismo pasivo. Eso sí que es una pandemia, pero usted prefiere ignorarla. Es un tema menos atractivo y que le crearía multitud de enemigos. De los 447 muertos en las carreteras españolas en 2008, ni hablamos, que no es de su cartera.
Señora ministra, explíqueme por qué tiene usted el Tamiflú bajo custodia del ejército. La eficacia de los antivirales en esta gripe es dudosa y de cualquier manera lo único que hace es reducir en un ratito la duración de los síntomas y con efectos secundarios no despreciables. Cualquiera diría que guarda usted bajo siete llaves la cura contra el cáncer o la peste bubónica. Ponga el fármaco en las farmacias que es donde debe estar y déjese de fantasías más propias de Hollywood. Alternativamente, haga algo sobre la patente del osetalmivir y permita que lo fabriquen otras compañías farmacéuticas, así no hay agobios de restricciones.
Señora ministra, las previsiones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud ya se han patinado en ocasiones anteriores. Cuando la gripe aviar, predijeron 150 millones de muertos que al final quedaron en 262 fallecimientos. Se han vuelto a equivocar, no importa. Lo importante es parar la locura en la que estamos montados y esa, señora Jiménez, es responsabilidad suya.
Señora ministra, aquí una es una cínica por naturaleza. Demasiada gente se lleva tajada en este asunto. No sólo los fabricantes de las vacunas y los antivirus sino los que hacen las mascarillas, los de la vitamina C, los del bífidus activo, los fabricantes de ventiladores artificiales y pulsioxímetros, los de los pañuelos desechables, los productos de desinfección de manos, hasta los presos con enfermedades incurables que quieren aprovechar para marcharse a casa. Sin embargo, no me negará tampoco que la pantalla de humo les ha venido al pelo a su gobierno ahora que la crisis sigue su marcha, el desempleo tiene niveles históricos, nos suben los impuestos, sube el IRPF y baja el PIB. Una casualidad, supongo.
Señora ministra, una cosilla más. Si tengo que ver muchas más fotos suyas a media página con mirada astuta, trajes sexis y poses de modelo... ¡me va a dar algo!

Mónica Lalanda ha pasado los últimos 16 años en Inglaterra, la mayoría como médico de urgencias en Leeds (West Yorkshire). En la actualidad trabaja en la unidad de urgencias del Hospital General de Segovia, participa en varias publicaciones inglesas y también ilustra libros y revistas con viñetas médicas.

Official announcement from International Budo Seifukai

2009-09-18T15:07:00.006+02:00

[The text below has been submitted by Patrick Augé Shihan]

September 15, 2009

To Whom It May Concern,

The purpose of this statement is to announce that after Master Minoru Mochizuki, founder of Yoseikan Budo, passed away, the Kokusai Budo Seifukai (International Budo Seifukai) was formed for the purpose of continuing and developing his ideals of education. These ideals are: to inherit and promote the principles of “Maximum Efficiency” and “Mutual Welfare and Prosperity” and to apply these concepts to the cultivation of character; to help youth develop physical and mental qualities; and to contribute to the improvement of quality in martial arts through the promotion of mutual friendship among its members, while deepening one’s appreciation of Budo.

Consequently, we divided the organization into three (3) regions. The directors of these regions are:

East Japan Operations Director, Nobumasa Yoshida Shihan, 9th dan

West Japan Operations Director, Tadashi Sugiyama Shihan, 9th dan

and International Operations Director, Patrick Augé Shihan, 8th dan

In particular, all requests from overseas, such as notification of results of ranking examinations, applications for rank certificates and arrangements for seminars or training in Japan should first be made through Patrick Augé Shihan (auge@yoseikanbudo.com) who will inform the Hombu. Please understand that this procedure is for the purpose of maintaining the quality of ranks and the integrity of the organization.

Moreover, the Yoseikan Hombu (main office) was moved to France and, the former Hombu Dojo in Shizuoka, Japan, was purchased by a third party. Consequently, the Seifukai is no longer practicing in that location. Also, please note that Mr. Terumi Washizu, from whom we could not get cooperation in regard to our requests, resigned from Seifukai.

The present location of the Seifukai Hombu is the residence of Tetsuma Mochizuki Saiko Shihan, second son of Master Minoru Mochizuki.

Hiroaki Kenmotsu, Shihan 8th dan was appointed Hombu Secretary.

International Budo Seifukai
Kyouichi Murai, 10th Dan, Chairman
Tetsuma Mochizuki, Saiko Shihan

Left to right: H. Kenmotsu; P. Augé; T. Sugiyama; T. Mochizuki: N. Yoshida; K. Koga.

Tomiki Aikido - Books & Media

2009-09-04T13:39:00.006+02:00

Anoche me topé con una wiki sobre Aikido Shodokan, alias Tomiki Ryu, que no conocía (http://tomiki-aikido.wikispaces.com). Lo que me hizo entretenerme un poco más en ella es que tiene un apartado sobre "Books & Media" desde el que te puedes descargar una edición privada en seis volúmenes de los 70. Sin duda rica información a tener en cuenta (y a descargar).

¡Que os aproveche!

△◯☐

2009-08-20T00:28:00.009+02:00

Breve recordatorio fundamental de la geometría del Aikido.

O Sensei used these three principles to help his students better understand what they were learning. The Circle (marui), the Square (shikaku), and Triangle (sankaku) were used to illustrate the different concepts of movement and technique.

Triangle: O Sensei used the triangle to illustrate the idea of water flowing. He said that water always took the path of least resistance, and this is what Aikidoka should be doing as well. An example of a triangle movement would be the irimi, or entering techniques. As a sword is brought down to strike, the Aikidoka steps in and to the side in order to position him/herself for the defense. If we look at a triangle as having two angles at the bottom and one at point, we can imagine the two lower angles representing a very firm, stable base, and the lead point being the Atemi. The triangle can be compared to the irimi (entering) techniques because it gives the impression of direct movement, without a turn or a Tai-sabaki, just a quick forward technique. Sometimes the direct responses to an attack are very effective, and are excellent for unbalancing your partner.

"The body should be triangular, the mind circular.The triangle represents the generation of energy and is the most stable physical posture. The circle symbolizes serenity and perfection, the source of unlimited techniques. The square stands for solidity, the basis of applied control."
– O Sensei

Circle: Depending on your position and your opponent's balance, any technique can be executed from both the inside and outside of your partner's body. The circle comes from the japanese word Ju, meaning soft or gentle. The concept of Ju is the principle of pulling when pushed and pushing when pulled. We commonly hear the phrase "fight fire with fire", but I always thought that this was the opposite of the philosophy of Aikido. I think a more suitable phrase would be to fight fire with water. As circles we should never hit our opponent, no direct movements can be circles. The idea of the circle is to be like a ball, rolling with the attacks, usually by executing a Tai-sabaki to end up beside the attack. Being beside it effectively paralyzes the attack, because it is very hard to hit someone who is beside you and that close. When fighting directly, face to face, your opponent will have the opportunity to attack multiple times. After the first attack, being a circle, you should be beside him, but only for a moment, continuing his movement but still in control. Before the initial momentum of the attack has been spent, either while he's still committed to the strike, or as he's pulling back, recovering, this is the time to act, leading that movement into a technique. This is why many Aikido techniques look like the person receiving it is cooperating, they seem to be helping the person doing the technique, and in a sense they are. They give the opportunity and the strength, we merely guide them along the path until they are defeated, in effect by themselves. Circles are not stable in the stationary sense like the square, but they are stable in that they never fall. This is because they constantly move. Try to make a ball fall over... An example of the circular principle would be an attack from a sword. If the swordsman is committed to the strike, then the proper movement would be to lead him forward. If the attacker is holding back or recovering from the forward momentum of the attack, than a technique to his rear would be more effective.

Square: But what if the attack is neither forward or backward? The theory behind a neutral attacker is to get him to move, possibly through an atemi (strike). This will destabilize his position and a technique may be performed. When O Sensei drew a square, he often wrote the word go, meaning strength. He said that since a square was made up of four ninety degree angles, the most effective strike would be at a ninety degree angle. The square is a very stable, very strong position, but it is unlike the triangle and circle in that it lacks movement. We often start off in a "square" frame of mind, being very calm and neutral. From here, if an attack comes, we can be very ready, and turn into a triangle and counter by entering, or by becoming a circle, to harmonize with the attack and put him down that way.

These ideas of shape are simply to give the practitioner something easy to think about, a visual aid while practicing. Understand that the three shapes should not be restricting your thinking in any way, and don't worry if you can't identify which shape you should be. Also know that these shapes are constantly changing, never stick to any one. We can start a conflict in a square shape, moving into a triangle for an Atemi, and then into a circle to perform the technique.

Recently I've been thinking a lot of this imagery, and during class I try to envision these shapes in their different states. Even during the warm-up exercises I can see the different shapes, and thinking of these while performing a technique is very helpful. Like an artist who is first told to reduce everything to geometric shapes, so do we. The triangle is very easy to see, usually associated with the stance, a stable yet directioned force. I noticed recently that the point of the triangle is often at one's center, and this makes sense, as this is the origin of all movements. The circle is also easy to see, I find it's usually the movement of the body and arms. Using the circle takes away the partner's chance to resist, because it's impossible to resist a force that can go any way, change instantly, surround you and control you before you really know what's happening. I have a hard time envisioning the square, as it is the most stable of the shapes, and not usually associated with the actual movements. It is the stability needed while in Kamae (ready stance), both physically and mentally. One must be physically grounded in order to produce an effective technique, and without the concentration, no matter how physically correct you are, the technique cannot work.

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XV)

2009-08-20T00:14:00.002+02:00

Disponible el capítulo 15 de Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation de Peter Goldsbury Sensei.

Este hombre no para de escribir. Deseando que lo depure y lo ponga todo juntito en un libro YA!

“Comprehensive Yoseikan Budo book in English” by Edgar Kruyning

2009-08-16T05:13:00.003+02:00

This is to announce the publication of “The Art of Ju-jutsu,” the most comprehensive volume on Yoseikan Budo ever produced in the English language.

Subtitled “the legacy of Minoru Mochizuki’s yoseikan sogo budo, a dynamic synthesis of modern and traditional martial arts,” this book gives the most detailed and authoritative review available of the unique art created by Minoru Mochizuki, one of the earliest uchi deshi of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, in his home dojo in Shizuoka City, Japan. It also gives extensive detail on the modern yoseikan budo of Hiroo Mochizuki, current international head of yoseikan budo, allowing the reader to find the commonalities and striking differences between the approaches of a father and son devoted to budo. Earning the following ranks since his beginning in budo at age 13 (turning forty this month), Edgar Kruyning is well-qualified, both physically and intellectually, to present the essence of Japanese martial arts:

6th dan Judo
6th dan Yoseikan-Aikido
6th dan Ju Jutsu
5th dan Yoseikan-Budo
5th dan Iaido
5th dan Aikibudo
5th dan Kobudo
2nd dan Karate

“The Art of Ju-jutsu” reflects Minoru Mochizuki’s teaching that aikido is a form of ju-jutsu, which he considered a unique expression of Japanese culture to be preserved, developed and given to the world. “The Art of Ju-jutsu” is the best English resource available on the arts of yoseikan.

Published by lulu.com, available on Amazon and elsewhere, “The Art of Ju-jutsu” will be a valued addition to any serious martial artist’s library. Densely illustrated with hundreds of high-quality photographs, the text provides rare insight into this important martial arts tradition. Preface by Patrick McCarthy.

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XIV)

2009-07-24T13:52:00.002+02:00

Un rápido apunte para avisar que ya tenemos el capítulo 14 de la serie Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation de Peter Goldsbury Sensei.

Quien busque lectura ligera, esta no es su serie. Aviso.

Un poco de cultura en el Aikiflorum

2009-07-10T23:13:00.008+02:00

Ya lo siento, pero hoy toca hablar de ese foro-circo o circo-foro donde no se dicen más que pelotudeces. Esto fue un día un foro serio, pero el jefe se llenó de tonterías y se rodeo de tontos y ha quedado como los zorros (o como las zorras, que diría alguno). Les reto a que lean estos hilos, así, por encimica:

¿Qué les parece?

Dejenme recordarles que en este circo-foro ha habido un usuario baneado. Un usuario al que se le practicó acoso y derribo por parte del equipo de moderación / panda de iluminados. Un usuario que es el que esto subscribe. Hace tiempo que lo llevo con mucha honra y orgullo, que es lo que hay que tener. Pero no deja de ser inquietante que a gente de mal vivir, trolls profesionales y cyber-porculeadores se les permita campar a sus anchas. ¿A qué espera el Sr. Gutiérrez Navarro para banear a "nekus" y a "Armonia"? ¡Váyase, Sr. Gutiérrez! ¡Váyase!

O mejor... cierre el foro-circo.

Actualización (14/07/09): Por fin se despierta el Emperador:

Recuerdo con nostalgia como cuando se hizo una encuesta pública entre los foreros sobre si banearme la mitad del aforo estaba en contra y la otra mitad a favor... Ains, ¡qué tiempos!

Actualización (16/08/09): Parece que, un mes más tarde de la última actualización, vuelve a quedar todo en agua de borrajas. Queda pues demostrada una vez más la inoperancia de los administradores y del equipo de moderadores, así como la ingobernabilidad e inutilidad del foro. Qué penica más grande... digo no. Perdón.

Ellis Amdur on “Irimi”

2009-06-24T11:37:00.007+02:00

I recently read a post which includes an oft-used phrase - “get off the line and enter.” Not only does this phrase not do full justice to the concept of irimi (I confess I’ve used it myself), it leads to a mistaken understanding of aikido technique. This mistake is not only intellectual, but expressed physically, probably lies at the root of the technical deficiencies that are, allegedly, so rife in aikido.

“Getting off the line,” at least as most people I’ve observed excute it, is reactive. We side-step, get out of the way of the attack, etc. Irimi is then imagined to be a counter-attack on an angle - martial arts as the application of geometry, so to speak.

In Japanese, reactive counters are often called “go no sen,” which is a counter to the other’s initiative, but even this is not accurate. In fact, reactive counters are commemorated with tombstones.

In Go no sen, one takes the initiative away from the other and rules him. Imagine a conversation in which someone raises his voice, and in the middle of his tirade, I hold my hand up and out and say, “Not one more word. Be still.” And they are silent. An argument is reactive, as in, “I don’t like your tone of voice! And you are wrong,” to which they reply again, and I respond to that. An argument is often referred to as verbal sparring or verbal fencing. Go no sen is dominant - one cut, one life.

One place we see this is in kenjutsu, and an exemplar of it is in Itto-ryu (remember the deep ties that Itto-ryu has with Daito-ryu). As the enemy cuts, so, too, do I cut. Not “along” the same path. ON THE SAME PATH. Two objects cannot occupy the same space, and I, with greater power/speed/timing/postural stability, etc, take that space. The enemy is, ostensibly, deflected, but they are NOT knocked away. They are simply not allowed to occupy that space. And often there is no tai-sabaki (body displacement, getting off line). There might be. If there is, it is simultaneous - not one following the other. But even beyond that, tai-sabaki is not part of the fundamental definition of irimi, simply an elaboration of it.

Irimi in aikido occupies space the same way. This, by the way, is the true essence of atemi - not pugilism - but using the body (particularly the limbs) to take space the opponent is trying to occupy. Sometimes one steps off line, but sometimes one steps across line or even in line. Like a swimmer diving right in the belly of a breaking wave. Like Shioda Gozo in one of his favorite techniqes where, in respond to a two-hand grasp, he steps in with suddenly rigid downward arms and the opponent, bounces upwards and away. Like Nishio Shoji in that subtle little twist he did with his wrist at the moment he was grasped, creating a small but inexorable wave of recoil (kuzushi) into his partner. Like Kuwamori Yasunori used to do with his hips, taking the place right where your advancing thigh was about to occupy in his wonderful koshinage. Like Chuck Clark in the way he puts that meaty fist right where your head is about to be. All irimi with no moving off line whatsoever.

Aikido technique - that which we practice so much, and seems so open to criticism by folks who recommend adding a touch of boxing and a tad of judo - is the EFFECT, not the essence of aikido. Properly, technique drops in one’s hands after the aikido’s already been done.

And tenkan? I’ve written on this elsewhere, but in brief. Tenkan imagined as spinning away/finesse/leading into a circular path is not part of aikido. Merely part of fantasy played out on the mat. Tenkan is always preceded by irimi. The opponent is so skilled or powerful that even as irimi takes his space, he is wrapping around it/taking the space back, and so one wraps them in a circular motion/technique. Because irimi did take their center - if only momentarily -he’s got to “go around.” The circular motion starts with him. Tenkan is like taking hold of a planet and adding speed and some ellipse or spiral or tangent to its circular revolution. Aikido ura techniques (tenkan) take the person on a tangent - inward or outward - to their circular path. Tenkan should be described as spiral, not circular - it is the permutations of an initial circle once we have taken it over. But if irimi had not already won half or more of the battle, there would be no tenkan to accomplish. You would simply be defeated.

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XIII)

2009-06-18T23:45:00.002+02:00

Ya se encuentra disponible el capítulo 13 de la serie Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation de Peter Goldsbury Sensei.

¡Y cada vez se pone más difícil...!

Morihiro Saito sobre el Atemi en Aikido

2009-06-10T10:35:00.006+02:00

Extraigo lo siguiente del blog de Enrique Oliva, excelente aikidoka y amigo. Dedicado especialmente a quienes dicen que el Atemi no tiene cabida en el Aikido.

Stanley Pranin entrevistando a Saito Shihan en Marzo de 1991, le preguntó entre otras cosas lo siguiente:

Desde un punto de vista histórico, pienso que el aikido evolucionó de situaciones en las que los samurái no podían hacer uso de su espada. Algunos críticos dicen que el aikido no funcionaría contra sistemas de pelea modernos, como el karate. ¿Qué opina usted?

El aikido incluye tanto dori (técnicas para apoderarse de la espada corta), tachi dori (técnicas para apoderarse de la espada) y jo dori (técnicas para apoderarse del bastón). Durante esas técnicas, si tú permites que el filo de un arma llegue a tocar tu cuerpo podrías morir, mientras que un puñetazo o una patada no te matarán excepto que golpeen en algún punto vital. La espada sólo necesita hacer un ligero contacto para herir seriamente o matar; aún así, practicamos cómo defendernos contra la espada con nuestras manos vacías. Si siempre tenemos esto en mente, será un entrenamiento valioso.

¿Considera usted que el aikido sin atemi puede ser efectivo contra un ataque fuerte?

El aikido incluye al atemi, aunque, por supuesto, el entrenamiento no es igual que la realidad, así que no aplicamos atemi por completo en el dojo. En el taijutsu, el atemi es un elemento vital que enfatizamos en nuestro dojo.

En el aikido el atemi es empleado contra el ataque con un arma, así pues, ¿cree usted que es deseable para un aikidoka aprender cómo hacer frente a las patadas de karate, ahora que los ataques de este tipo son empleados a menudo?

Sí, creo que deberían aprenderse. No es algo que se deba evitar. Existen muchas técnicas básicas que nos permiten enfrentar al karate, como el tsuki y el yokomen uchi.

Un grupo establecido por uno de mis estudiantes realiza un tipo de defensa contra los ataques del karate, y es muy interesante. Un hombre con 4º dan —tanto en aikido como en judo— esquiva los ataques de karate y avanza para proyectar o controlar a su atacante en una espléndida demostración de técnicas de aikido. También recomendaría una práctica abundante en técnicas como yokomen uchi y tachi dori.

Pone usted un fuerte énfasis en las armas y basa sus enseñanzas en los principios de la espada. ¿Qué opina usted de la actual situación del aikido en otras partes?

No conozco otro aikido que no sea el de O-Sensei. Recibí enseñanza de O-Sensei desde los 18 y hasta los 41 años, y le serví del mismo modo que lo hace un discípulo interno (uchideshi), así que no conozco ningún otro maestro. Muchos shihan crean nuevas técnicas y creo que esto es algo maravilloso, pero después de analizarlas todavía estoy convencido que nadie puede superar a O-Sensei. Creo que es mejor seguir la forma que nos dejó.

En estos tiempos la gente se inclina a tomar su propio camino pero, mientras yo siga involucrado, voy a continuar ejecutando las técnicas y formas que O-Sensei nos dejó.

Inu Jutsu

2009-05-28T12:37:00.003+02:00

Extraída de hispagimnasios llega una publicación antigua de Roland Maroteaux sobre cómo inmovilizar a un perro que nos esté atacando.

¿Qué opinión os merecen estas simples técnicas? ¿Debería ikkyo funcionar sobre un perro tanto como sobre una persona, o considerais ridícula la mera idea de aplicar los "principios universales" a estos simpáticos (casi siempre) compañeros?

Authenticity in Koryu

2009-05-25T14:36:00.002+02:00

I think it's pretty clear that "true and correct transmission" is basically a myth. If you still don't believe me, take a look at old films of any martial art you can find. It's almost certain that there are significant differences between the way they are done now, and the way they used to be done. Many times, these films (perhaps of 400-year-old arts) are only 50 years old. We, at least, have the benefit of viewing these films, where previous generations had only drawings or written descriptions. Surely even greater changes were introduced within the first 350 years.

So, if it's safe to say that what we're doing bears only a vague resemblance to what the founders set down, what is the meaning of "authenticity"?

Para leer más: ejmas.com.

Building a mat on a tight budget

2009-05-21T19:21:00.002+02:00

For many of us the most time consuming and costly part of starting a dojo will be our mat. The “mat” is the central focus of our physical Dojo, so it’s important that we have a robust mat we can be proud of. However for most of us, cost is an issue. Many start their schools out of their garages, basements, or inexpensive warehouse space. While a mat is deffinatly something we don’t want to “skimp” on, a really nice “store bought” mat can be staggeringly expensive. This is especially true if you are fortunate enough to have a large space.

Para leer más: aikidostudent.com.

Morote Dori Kokyu Ho

2009-05-19T18:43:00.003+02:00

Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros and Carolina van Haperen perform morote dori kokyu ho with 4 variations as taught by Morihiro Saito Sensei.

Arranca el juicio contra Pablo Soto y mp2p technologies

2009-05-19T11:42:00.007+02:00

Atención que la movida de los juicios contra redes P2P empieza en España:

Hoy comienza en Madrid el juicio en el que Promusicae, Sony BMG Music Entertainment S.A, Universal Music Spain S.A., y Warner Music Spain S.A. reclaman más de 13 millones de euros a MP2P Technologies.

MP2P es la empresa de Pablo Soto, quien desarrolló el protocolo del mismo nombre, y que ha publicado herramientas como Piolet, Omemo y Blubster que lo utilizan, herramientas con millones de usuarios por todo el mundo.

La estrategia en este caso no parece ser la de ir contra la tecnología en sí, ya que las redes P2P tienen usos cuya legalidad nadie puede discutir, como son la telefonía IP -Skype, sin ir más lejos, usa esta tecnología- o servicios como Spotity, que también distribuye su contenido usándola.

Además, por si hubiera alguna duda sobre esto, la propia Unión Europea está financiando con varios millones de euros el desarrollo de P2P Next, una plataforma para la distribución de contenidos sobre redes P2P.

Y en cualquier caso, como decía Javier de la Cueva, abogado de Soto en este proceso junto con David Bravo, “Si algunos -o muchos- de los usuarios de Blubster utilizan el software de manera ilícita el programador no puede ser más responsable de su comportamiento que un fabricante de cuchillos sobre un asesinato con arma blanca”.

Se trataría, pues, como dicen los demandantes, de demostrar que Pablo Soto desarrolló sus aplicaciones “con evidente ánimo de lucro” y con “una conducta parasitaria”, siempre con la idea de obtener unos beneficios económicos a partir del trabajo y la obra de otros, que explotaría mediante un entramado mercantil paralelo, al menos según se argumenta en la demanda.

Javier de la Cueva se muestra moderadamente optimista de cara al juicio y piensa que pueden ganar, aunque también supone que el juicio puede acabar probablemente en el Tribunal Supremo, ya que sea cual sea el resultado lo más probable es que la sentencia sea recurrida.

[Fuente: lainformacion.com]

La realidad de las nuevas medidas de ZP

2009-05-13T17:09:00.006+02:00

Las dos principales medidas que anunció ayer el presidente del Gobierno, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, tienen un impacto mucho menos positivo de lo que se dejó ver ayer en el debate. Será escaso en el caso del recorte del Impuesto de Sociedades y negativo en la supresión de la deducción por la vivienda habitual.

La eliminación de la desgravación fiscal por tenencia de una casa habitual no supondrá sino una fuerte subida fiscal que afectará sobre todo a la clase media. A partir de 2011, la mitad de los compradores de vivienda dejarán de disfrutar de esta atractiva reducción del precio de sus inmuebles, que les devolvía 860 euros por persona (más de 250 millones de euros al año) que se perderán para pasar a “otras políticas de vivienda”.

El recorte de 5 puntos del Impuesto de Sociedades a las pequeñas empresas sólo les dará, como mucho, 16.533 euros, suponiendo que mantuviesen los altos beneficios alcanzados en 2005. Es decir, un incentivo menos atractivo para las cuentas de las compañías que el propio despido de empleados, y difícil de cumplir en pleno desplome de la actividad.

Según los técnicos del Ministerio de Hacienda, la medida inmobiliaria anunciada ayer por Zapatero “supondrá un ahorro fiscal [a largo plazo] para las arcas públicas de 2.767 millones de euros que podrán destinarse a otras políticas”.

Para leer más: Expansion.com.

Conferencia "Tópicos sobre Japón" en Zaragoza

2009-05-13T11:21:00.009+02:00

Acabo de recibir este email del grandísimo Paco Barberán, primer kyu de Japonés y gran maestro del mismo, que nos va a deleitar con una conferencia sobre los tópicos sobre Japón que tenemos los occidentales.

Os recomiendo encarecidamente la asistencia, ya que todo apunta a que será amena, entretenida, culturizante y lo pasaremos bien... además de las cañitas que se tomarán después, claro está. Yo, por mi parte, planeo ir. Espero veros a alguno por allí!

Hola, ¿cómo va todo?

Esta vez te escribo para informarte de que el próximo viernes (día 15 de mayo), a las 15:30 (con la fresca), voy a impartir en el aula 2 de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Zaragoza la conferencia titulada "Tópicos sobre Japón: verdadero o falso", impresionante aportación a la cultura occidental y testimonio niponológico de primera mano que no deberías perderte, consciente como lo eres, porque te lo digo yo ahora mismo, de que la entrada es libre y gratuita, así que me encantaría contar con tu asistencia (además de la de tus familiares, amigos, vecinas, empleados de hogar, etc.) para conseguir llenar el aforo en este magno evento, en el que se expondran los resultados de la concienzuda investigación llevada a cabo por nuestro grupo de expertos, un completo integrado por un becario a tiempo parcial: yo.

Sé que la hora (15:30) no invita mucho a la reflexión, pero ten en cuenta, de un lado, que no vamos a reflexionar sobre nada y, de otro, que seguramente a la salida nos tomaremos unas cañas. En cualquier caso, prometo hacer lo posible para que la gente no se duerma.

Adjunto también un cartel y te ruego des al contenido de este e-mail la mayor difusión posible.

Un fuerte abrazo,

Francisco Barberán
Nichiza (EU & Japan Business Consulting)
www.nichiza.com
Plaza Roma F-1, planta 1, of. 4
50010 Zaragoza (Spain)
Tel. +34 976 346 883
Fax +34 976 322 956

Sutemi Waza

2009-05-11T15:54:00.004+02:00

Many believe that sutemi waza has no place in Aikido. Well, Mochizuki Sensei didn't quite think like that, and incorporated a series of sutemi from his experience in Gyokushin Ryu Jujutsu into his Yoseikan. The result is a very nice blend of the sutemi with the aiki and ju principles of the art.

The following are just two examples of Yoseikan sutemi waza. Hope you enjoy!

Six Principles of Training by Kondo Katsuyuki

2009-05-07T16:34:00.006+02:00

Daito-ryu is built upon a foundation of six basic elements. These are extremely deep and complex and mastery of even any one of them requires a great deal of time and effort. One's ability to perform Daito-ryu techniques correctly and fully will only develop through constant and strenuous efforts to take all six into account at all times.

Para leer más: koryu.com.

¿Cómo maquilla Trabajo el paro registrado en el INEM?

2009-05-05T16:45:00.004+02:00

Cada mes el departamento ministerial que dirige Celestino Corbacho publica el dato de paro registrado en las oficinas de los Servicios Públicos de Empleo (antiguo Inem). Los medios de comunicación se ciñen a la información oficial y repican como si fuera un mantra sagrado la cifra de desempleados que, en teoría, no tienen trabajo. Luego, los analistas emplean esta estadística para realizar análisis sobre la evolución del mercado laboral y todo ello llega a la opinión pública como si fuera real, pero no lo es.

En realidad, el dato de paro registrado ha sufrido tantas alteraciones que ya es difícil saber a quién considera el Gobierno como parado. Ahora es sólo un concepto burocrático que se emplea con fines propagandísticos (de todos los colores políticos) y que maquilla el volumen de desempleados.

Aunque esta actuación no ha sido exclusiva del actual ministro de Trabajo, Celestino Corbacho, tras su incorporación el departamento ha incrementado el apagón estadístico. Como muestra de ello cabe destacar su intención de sacar de las listas de parados a los prejubilados que quieren trabajar y al hecho de que se afilien niños a la Seguridad Social para alterar la población activa y, con ello, la tasa de paro.

Para leer más (mucho más): libertaddigital.com.

“A look through the veil” by Louis Gonzalez-Coca

2009-04-28T16:37:00.007+02:00

Dear Tori,

Today I will start by attacking you with a Yokomenuchi aimed to your right side, I will also use a Shomenuchi but I’ll let you know about it in advance, see you later at the dojo.

Best regards… Uke

Based on my limited experience I’ve always felt that strikes as attacks in Aikido were not studied as thoroughly as in striking based arts (with the exception of some schools i.e. Yoseikan and Tenshin just to name a few). As a result I started to explore and try out other ways of practice focusing on strikes as “unannounced attacks” and subsequently my study group at the time and I adapted “sparring” as part of training. However, we did not start with a “full out” spar, we only and specifically practiced our reaction to Shomen, Yokomen and mid-section thrusts and we only did this for what we called the “engagement” of an attack, meaning the parry and deflection of an attack and continuing as far as unbalancing uke, unless the technique was suitable for finishing up with a degree of safety (for instance Irimi nage as opposed to something like Shiho nage). Obviously we didn’t communicate in advance what attack was going to launch although we did agree on using either a straight right or left punch, circular strikes (Yokomen type) and straight to the mid section to start. This practice implicated the use of sparring gear. Some people might think that this will hinder the flow of the technique, but like I indicated before it was just an addition to our regular practice.

Para leer más: aikidojournal.com.

Kaeshi Waza por Nemoto Sensei, 6ºDan Iwama Ryu

2009-04-28T12:12:00.006+02:00

Hoy dejo aquí un vídeo que he encontrado en el blog de mi amigo Enrique Oliva. Se trata de un video de contratécnicas (kaeshi waza) de Nemoto Sensei, 6ºDan Iwama Ryu y alumno de O'Sensei y de Morihiro Saito Shihan.

España genera en sólo un año la mitad de los parados de Europa

2009-04-27T00:53:00.003+02:00

La crisis y la disminución de la actividad económica es un fenómeno generalizado en Europa, pero en ningún país se está produciendo una destrucción de empleo tan intensa como en España. Entre febrero de 2008 y febrero de 2009, la Unión Europea generó tres millones de parados, y la mitad de ese paro se produjo en España. En materia de empleo, España se desmarca claramente de Europa.

Para leer más: elpais.com.

Exploring the Founder’s Aikido

2009-04-22T01:01:00.006+02:00

The Founder was adept at dictating the terms of a would-be attacker’s movement. Among the ways he would achieve this end was to execute various body manuevers with exquisite timing just before an attack. Using up and down, side-to-side, and slipping movements, he was able to make it virtually impossible for an attacker to launch an aggressive movement from a stable posture. Uke’s mental composure would be disturbed through such leading movements to the point he lost any will to attack.

Sometimes the Founder would raise his arms high up or even leap into the air as he approached his partner leaving the latter virtually helpless as he tried in vain to muster an attack.

Para leer más: aikidojournal.com.

Iriminage according to O'Sensei

2009-04-20T12:07:00.006+02:00

To isolate a particular point of interest in iriminage, I would like to show you a screenshot from “Divine Techniques” where O-Sensei can be clearly shown grabbing his partner’s collar in preparation for the throw. (His partner by the way is American aikidoka Terry Dobson.) It is actually unusual to see it done this way in modern aikido. The collar grab contrasts with the way the opponent’s head is controled in most approaches to iriminage where instead the hand is hooked around to the opposite side of the opponent’s neck or ear.

Para leer más: aikidojournal.com.

Let's re-think this falling thing...

2009-04-17T15:08:00.003+02:00

First, I am a big proponent of ukemi practice. It has a lot of benefits within and beyond the dojo. We practice ukemi in every single class and I am always preaching to take the technique all the way to the ground – nagekomi instead of uchikomi. But with that said, does uke really have to take all those falls?

Para leer más: www.mokurendojo.com.

Nihon Katchu Seisakuben

2009-04-14T17:36:00.003+02:00

Para aquellos locos que se quieren hacer una armadura japonesa, Sengoku Daimyo contiene toda la información necesaria.

La página, propiedad de Anthony J. Bryant, contiene también información sobre la historia de la indumentaria japonesa, una introducción al japonés clásico y otra información siempre interesante para perturbados como nosotros.

Definitivamente recomendada.

Aikiken: Tamura Sensei

2009-04-13T16:07:00.004+02:00

Rescato de YouTube un interesante (y vetusto) vídeo de Aikiken de Tamura Sensei.

¡Qué irimi! ¡Qué acoso! ¡Qué paliza! ¿Quién se anima a discutirlo? Awase, irimi, otonashi no ken, tachi dori, nage waza... A mí me ha gustado mucho.

Systema

2009-04-07T15:08:00.007+02:00

Systema (Ruso: Система) es un arte marcial ruso. Esta disciplina marcial se caracteriza por su enorme versatilidad. Diseñado para ser práctico en todo tipo de escenarios y situaciones, su entrenamiento difiere del resto de artes marciales. En lugar de realizar el aprendizaje a base de repetición de movimientos, formas o katas, éste es llevado a cabo a base de ejercicios para el desarrollo de habilidades y trabajo de sparring. El resultado es un método de combate basado en reacciones intuitivas y naturales. El Systema se centra en controlar los seis niveles del cuerpo a través de puntos de presión, golpes y mediante el uso de armas. El Systema aparece con frecuencia citado en relación con el entrenamiento de algunas unidades de élite Spetsnaz del ejército ruso.

El origen de la palabra “Systema” aplicada a las artes marciales parece provenir de un arte marcial ruso denominado “Systema Rukopashnogo Boya” (sistema de lucha cuerpo a cuerpo). Tras la muerte de Stalin, el Systema se convirtió en el estilo de combate empleado por las Fuerzas Especiales especializadas en operaciones de alto riesgo (Spetsnaz, Grupo Alfa, …).

Actualmente existen dos grandes líneas de Systema, representadas por Mikhail Ryabko y Vladimir Vasiliev una de ellas, y por Kadochnikov la otra. Aunque existen algunes diferencias entre ambas, en esencia son muy similares ya que ambas son herederas de la misma tradición marcial.

Ryabko fue entrenado por uno de los guardaespaldas de Joseph Stalin. Estos guardaespaldas eran adiestrados utilizando Systema.

No seré yo quien juzgue esta práctica ya que nunca he entrenado con ellos ni he sentido en mis carnes lo que son o no son capaces de hacer. Lamentablemente, los mismos que juzgan qué es y qué no es el Aikido se dedican a juzgar otras artes de las que ni siquiera nunca habían oído hablar.

Just Yell Fire!

2009-03-30T17:48:00.004+02:00

Just Yell Fire is a 46 minute instructional film, created for girls 11 to 19, which demonstrates 10 street fighting techniques to get away from attack and date rape situations, shares a Dating Bill of Rights, and includes stay-safe strategies from law enforcement agencies. The film was created by volunteers to keep girls safe and to teach them to fight back against assault or abduction. It is Free online and was one of the most downloaded production-length films of 2007. Schools, law enforcement agencies, shelters, and other groups are using it to keep their girls safe in 44 countries.

Hundreds of thousands of teen girls have seen the film Just Yell Fire, since it went online for free. Over 325,000 free DVDs have been given out, mailed, or downloaded. From 20 to hundreds of emails and letters arrive daily applauding the effort and telling us that parents, police, teachers, coaches, doctors, group leaders of all sorts, and others are using the film to make sure their girls won’t become a statistic.

Watch it at http://justyellfire.com

Academic Earth

2009-03-25T00:11:00.005+01:00

Academic Earth es una organización fundada con el objetivo de proporcionar a todo el mundo acceso a una educación de primera categoría. Academic Earth proporciona tanto cursos completos como clases magistrales de materias tan diversas como economía o ingeniería de sistemas. Eso sí, en inglés.

¿No es así como debería ser la Universidad?

"What is Aiki" by Yoshimine Yasuo

2009-03-23T13:45:00.005+01:00

The following was published on Budo Free Talk on June 2002 (issue #26). It's author is Yoshimine Yasuo, a student of Sagawa Sensei.

There aren't many words which are misunderstood to the extent of the world Aiki. It is quite unfortunate that many dubious martial artist use this term purely for their promotional purpose. As of current state, as far as magazine or books are concered, thre are very few which provide correct information about aiki. If there are ten articles about aiki, probably at least eight of them are incorrect.

The reason why the matter has fallen to such sorry state is because aiki is very difficult to master. So only external forms have been transmitted and it is very rare to encounter genuine aiki techniques. Accordingly, even among people who call themselves Shinan (instructor), unfortunately, only few know it. When someone asks "what is aiki?", often, answers are like "This is beyond the description by words" or even "It's transcendent ability". (You may not believe me but true). Hopefully, I think more open and modern/enlightened attitude will slowly change this and make aiki easier to learn.

Then, what is aiki? I will write technical or methodological detail in my book so pardon me if I'm brief. But anyway, stuff like magazine tend to describe aiki as something mysterious but in reality, aiki is very scientific. To cut the long story short, if you seek the origin of the word aiki, answer will reveal itself.

I wrote this few time in the magazine "Hiden" but aiki is originally kenjutu (Japanese sword arts) term and it describe a state where you and your opponentís seichu (central) line is face to face. (This word is used even in modern kendo as in original meaning). Easiest way to see it is to just pick up swords with your partner, hold it in the middle until the tip of the sword face each other. Obviously, this situation is stalemate. So you have to diver your opponent's tip of the sword. To do this is called "Divert Aiki". It's not even incorrect to state that entire koryu kenjutu techniques are based on methodology of diverting aiki. For example, in case of Shinkage ryu (shin=true kage=shadow ryu=style), they often use technique to enter diagonally to divert aiki. In case of Onoha Ittoryu (Ono branch of one blade style.), it's characteristic is in how to divert tip of the sword by central breakthrough. Aiki of Daitoryu is application of this principle of central breakthrough of Onoha Ittoryu into taijutu. That is, you deliberately force the state of aiki as in sword fight then proceed to break this state through penetrating into centreline of your opponent. Accordingly, the basic stance use the same one as Onoha Ittoryu. And in aiki, attack target are neck and hip (and occasionally chest) and this is, in fact, same as the thrust targets of Onoha Ittoryu.

Therefore, there are broader definition and narrower definition of the term aiki. The broader definition of aiki is the entire methodology of crushing opponent's attack stance through central penetration. This includes atemi (strike) into upper part of the body. Narrower aiki means techniques of neutralising attack from the contact, exemplified in technique, aiki age (aiki lift).

Now, as of aiki age, presently, even this technique are often misunderstood. Many people confuse this with Kokyuho in aikido. They looks alike but their purpose is completely different. That is Kokyuhou or Tenchinage in akido originally meant atemi into jaw with palm. In Daitoryu, there are no concept to push someone down with charge like in sumo. The correct concept is to uplift your opponent or smash opponent directly below and the techniques which exemplify this fundamental principle are aiki age (aiki lift) and aiki sage (aiki takedown). These two use entire body and are not mere hand techniques. Hence by looking at even one photo, one could tell whether someone has managed to do it or not. Extremely bad example is when one push someone down just by using body weight . If one do aiki age from kneeling position, if someone standing losing balance on top of you even if your back is straight and your haven't broken your keeling, then it is the real deal. And if you have opportunity to experience aiki age, pay close attention to the feeling when you grab this person's arm. With someone who can really do this, there are rarely any sensation of grip because there is no collision of power. Accordingly, anyone who push back with force are out of question. And the biggest difference between correct aiki age and the incorrect one are whether one can make the movement smaller and smaller through training. If one try to push back with force or using body weight, one will never be able to do it. That is, true purpose of aiki is to utilise aiki in every taijutu technique by making it smaller and shaper through polishing your technique. That is why I mentioned in other place that if you got wrong teacher, you never make it.

As of side note, it is often said that the secret of aiki age is to "Open palms as in Asagao (morning face, common Japanese flower)" but this is often transmitted incorrectly. "Open palms as in Asagao" in fact point to the entire arm movement in aiki age and not pointing to how one open palm. The reason this theory has spread is probably due either to do with teacher intentionally hid it or someone who hasn't learned it properly spread it. Once you get used to aikiage, you can do it with your hands closed and the reason one have to open palm is only because it is easier to learn. An important point when you open palm is not to put too much force into your finger. This is bit difficult to get unless demonstrated in practice but in beginner's level, you open your palm like when you do paper in stone/paper/scissors. When expert do Aikiage, especially little fingers are very relaxed. And often this technique are split between Aiki of Kote, when someone grab your writs, and Aiki of Mune (chest) or Aiki of Karada (Body), when someone grab your collar or other such places but these two are the same. This is also easier to understand in demonstration but if you know the gist of it, the latter one is much easier one to do it.

Daturiki (Relaxlation) is another equally misunderstood word like aiki, and this world is also uttered in sort of aspiration as in the word aiki so I mention about it here just in case. Daturiki doesn't mean you don't use muscle. Even in aiki, one is of course using muscle. "To relax" simply means "use only necessarily muscle". The phrase "To issue ki" is same with this principle.

To add further, when he was alive, Sagawa Sohan swung steel training staff every days and someone said "That is just muscle work". This is like making speech with your pants down without understanding the fact that aiki as well as koryu kenjutu use entire body movement. In fact, it is natural to arrive at this kind of training if one think about what is needed in Daitoryu. (However, unless one learned proper way to swing sword, one could damage oneís body so I wonít recommend it.)

As stated, aiki is in practice, very scientific. It is true it is based on rather sophisticated principle but it has nothing to do with mysterious transcendantalism. Therefore, to describe aiki mesteriously or even religiously is self evident sign that one hasn't got proper transmission. It is like someone wondering in amazement at magician's work because he doesn't know that magic is a trick. For magician, trick is easy to perform. And the fact that aiki is scientific mean that everyone, as long as they practice seriously can master it. To add further, in some part of Daitoryu, it is said that one can master aiki even if you can't lift anything heavier than chopsticks as long as you receive oral transmission but that is nonsense. This is because the effect of aiki differs according to individuals. Once you got the gist of movement, then you have to reduce the margin of error by applying aiki many many times to various different persons. That is to aim perfection through repetition of movements based on logic. This is the same in any martial arts.

That is it. This time it was rather metaphysical but as I said, I clarify more practical description of technique or theory in detail in my book. So pardon me for that. The next topic will be "utilisation and paradox in form".

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XII)

2009-03-20T10:10:00.002+01:00

Ya está disponible el capítulo 12 de Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation de Peter Goldsbury Sensei.

¡A disfrutarla!

¡Viva el top manta!

2009-03-18T10:25:00.007+01:00

Mi buzón de entrada me esperaba esta mañana con la siguiente nota:

Dada la mierda que nos escupe diariamente la tele, radio, prensa y demás medios de comunicación, un grupo de disidentes hemos elaborado este manifiesto a favor (sí, A FAVOR) de la piratería. Si te mola, pásalo. Si prefieres creerte las mentiras de la industria, haz con él lo que te salga del arco del triunfo.

De: El currante medio, aplastado por la hipoteca, la precariedad laboral, los horarios DE MIERDA y otros abusos sociales, como la caña de cerveza a 2 putos Euros.

A: Ese músico mediático que se duele detrás de unas gafas de sol en la Moncloa, forrado de pasta hasta los pendientes. Tiene cojones ir de rebelde por la vida y terminar en las escaleras del centro del Estado (por si no captáis las sutilezas, el ejemplo se refiere a Alejandro Sanz, aunque es extensible a todos los membrillos/impresentables que le acompañaban).

Mira, chavalote, en la gira que te vas a marcar este verano vas a ganar más pasta —haciendo algo que te gusta y que en teoría te llena— de lo que ganaré yo en toda mi puta vida de currito, cargando, además, con una actividad que no me aporta nada personalmente y con la que, si no fuera por el sueldo adicional de mi pareja, ni siquiera me daría para pagar el piso donde vivo.

"La música está muy mal" —gimes. Tú, chavalote, no sabes lo que es estar mal. ¿Qué sabes tú de hipotecas, de rebotar de un contrato a otro, de currar a turnos o de 7 a 7? ¿Qué sabes tú de llegar a fin de mes, o de lo que me cuesta a mí plantearme tener hijos con lo que piden en una guardería? Porque te recuerdo que aquí, en el mundo real, curramos dos para pagarnos 70 metros cuadrados.

"La gente que compra en el top manta no ama la música" —escupe otro. ¿Con qué validez moral exigís vosotros, que vivís a todo trapo de camino entre Madrid y Miami, sin saber ni el dinero que tenéis, al currante que os pague los vicios y haga multimillonaria a la multinacional de turno ¿Cómo se puede tener la cara de plantarse en plan víctima sobre una vida de lujo?

La industria ha abusado y abusa con los precios y las calidades.

Sólo ahora que se ve con el rabo en el culo ofrece lo que no pueden dar los piratas: DVD's con vídeos, extras y demás. Todo, curiosamente, al mismo precio que antes. ¿No llorabais que no se podían bajar los precios? Cómo vale ahora un álbum que lleva 12 canciones en el CD y 16 en un DVD (verídico) lo mismo que antes el mismo álbum con el CD a pelo? ¿Cómo puede valer un mismo álbum en España 18 euros y en Alemania 20 (contrastado) cuando los alemanes ganan más del doble que un español?

Ahora que las mafias e Internet os revientan, ahora, que ya no tenéis la sartén por el mango, pasáis de la posición dominante y abusiva a la apelación más rastrera de sentimientos. Pues yo, y muchos como yo respondemos: AHORA, QUE OS DEN POR CULO.

NADIE puede pedirme que le pague la colección de coches de lujo, el yate y las cuatro casonas en Miami, la Sierra o Marbella.

NADIE puede pedir moral desde la inmoralidad.

Ejemplo: Bustamante se acaba de comprar una casa de 500 kilos de las antiguas pesetas en solo CUATRO AÑOS DE CARRERA MUSICAL, claro ejemplo de lo mal que está el panorama musical.

Firma: Cualquier anónimo hasta los güevos de sandeces.

PD: Cópialo, pégalo y pásalo. Si haces Reenvío se llena de molestos ">".

PD 2: Si alguien sabe el correo de Ramoncín que haga el favor de pasárselo.

Gracias.

Shomen Uchi por Morihiro Saito

2009-03-17T12:29:00.006+01:00

Initiating Shomen Uchi:

Explaining Shomen Uchi Ikkyo Omote, Ura and in Between:

Shomen Uchi variations by Morihiro Saito Sensei.
Part 1: Ikkyo - Shiho Nage
Part 2: Koshi Nage

Got pwned by boxer

2009-03-10T16:36:00.005+01:00

A vueltas con el tema acostumbrado por aikidokas inseguros y/o inexpertos, una nueva discusión en Aikiweb en la que el iniciador del hilo plantea sus dudas sobre la efectividad del Aikido tras haber sido zurrado por su amigo boxeador...

Afortunadamente, la voz voz de la experiencia se hace notar como en el siguiente post de Kevin Leavitt:

"Aikido" will work with whatever attack is presented. (I actually hate to say "aikido will work" as it really doesn't DO anything as people do and aikido is only a methodology)
Anyway, it does "work" in the sense that if we are skilled at what we do we learn to recognize effective attacks and ineffective ones.
A big part of the study of aikido is learning the concept of Mushin and Ma'ai.
Ma'ai is the timing/space/distance in the situation. WIth the right amount of experience it is hoped that we can appropriately move and respond to attacks that are presented.
What I see alot, (and did, and still do!) is that we want so bad to "do aikido" that we reach out, grab, pull, push, and any number of things. Everything but affect the core, center of the person while most likely upsetting our own. You see this alot in beginners for sure!
The instructor showed them how to do a technique, now they will do it...it becomes something that our perceptions tells us we must DO, vice walking the fine line between doing, guiding, suggestion, leading or whatever languaging you want to call it.
Yes, in a sense it requires a committed attack. It does not have to be over comitted, which I think is the perception alot in aikido.
UFC style punches are VERY comitted. It is just that the guy throwing it has enough skill to comitt just enough resources necessary to do what he wants to do. Sucks to be you if you don't have an appropriate response!
Same concepts apply, it is just that your window is very narrow for being able to do much. Hence why we slow down greatly in aikido to allow for practice to happen.
Unfortunately it gets all screwed up when someone studying at that speed for months (or even years) suddenly decides to take the training paradigm he/she adopted and go full on with someone that has never studied aikido and/or does not really care that you have!
The speed/timing/distance is all messed up and you simply probably have not developed ways to appropriately deal with it.
Clinching is about as aiki as anything you do. It is irimi nage just applied at a different range. Clinching can be strong or it can be leading, guiding, blending as well.
Clinching is necessary, as you now, cause space is taking away from you and it is a protective position/posture.
Anyway, for some reason, we ignore this concept in aikido, not sure why it seems to be a bad word...probably because people equate it with fighting or MMA.
Anyway, I am saying this not to promote clinching, but only to point out that it is a response that simply accounts for the level of speed, timing, distance, and comittment of uke. Once you achieve it, you can off balance (irimi) and then throw, takedown, or strike uke as the case may be.
It does not requrie your opponent to be OVER Committed. He can stay on his center while you take his center.
It is also within the parameters of aikido to disengage and simply avoid or back up as well hoping that your opponent will indeed over committ. I do this especially with inexperienced fighters...it is a better strategy alot of times other than clinching.
Anyway, there are two extremes...close in (engaging) and far way (disengaging). Both are good and within our parameters and abilities. Both do not require us to respond in a disconnected way and "catch" punches, nikkyos, or sankyos.
I have converted a few boxers over to BJJ. I do it by clinching they hate it, they stay there waiting for the ref to break up, so they don't know how to get out of it. AND they can't hit you well that close. I ride them down, knee on them and strike and disengage....rinse, wash, repeat!
Hopefully I never get caught cold with a punch!

Takeji Tomita Sensei - Exhibición en Glasgow en 1990

2009-03-06T15:53:00.002+01:00

Una bonita demostración de Aikido por parte de Takeji Tomita Sensei, 7º dan del Aikikai y creador de la Takemusi Aiki Tomita Academy. Fue alumno de Morihiro Saito en Iwama, quien lo envío a Suecia a difundir el Aikido de O'Sensei, y maestro de aikidokas consagrados como Ulf Evenås Sensei.

Nuevo intento de censura en el foro de Valencia

2009-02-27T10:49:00.008+01:00

El administrador del foro de Valencia pretende censurar una vez más a quien no es de su cuerda, en este caso al usuario trom, del Kisei Dojo, mientras sale en defensa del anónimo GI "el inefable".

Ni bonito ni correcto lo que has comentado, Trom, y después puesto en boca de otros. En esta ocasión estoy plenamente con Gi. Estudio retirar completamente del foro semejante entrada tuya. Independientemente de quien soltara semejante perla, es un insulto para mucha gente.
_________________

Más de lo mismo.

Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation (XI)

2009-02-20T16:23:00.004+01:00

El profesor Peter A. Goldsbury acaba de publicar el undécimo capítulo de su serie Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation.

Como de costumbre no tiene ningún desperdicio, aunque se hace especialmente ardua para quien no pueda leer japonés.

La importancia de atacar correctamente

2009-02-03T14:06:00.001+01:00

Dejo aquí un ilustrativo vídeo sobre la importancia de atacar correctamente. Son muchos los maestros que defienden este punto día a día en sus clases, y es que es un punto muy a tener en cuenta para ser un buen uke y poder progresar en las artes.

Cierto como la vida misma.

Biiru Waza

2009-02-01T14:19:00.002+01:00

Directamente prestado del blog de mi amigo Enrique Oliva, un curioso e ilustrativo vídeo sobre tai biiru no riai. Disfrútenlo.

Este conjunto de técnicas que apenas se vislumbran en el vídeo son de gran utilidad durante la clase teórica que ~~realizamos~~ realizábamos día tras día en el bar tras el entrenamiento. Imprescindible dada la coyuntura económica en la que nos han metido.

Así están las cosas

2009-01-26T11:23:00.009+01:00

Hoy he recibido esto por email. Claro, es una exageración, pero por ahí van los tiros...

Le envié a un amigo que vive en EE.UU. un email con una pregunta: ¿Por qué somos pobres los españoles?
Esta fue su respuesta desde EE.UU.:
Hola, cómo se ve que los árboles no te dejan ver el bosque... ¿Cómo puedes llamarte pobre, cuando eres capaz de pagar por un litro de gasolina más del triple de lo que pago yo? ¿Cuando te das el lujo de pagar tarifas de electricidad, de teléfono y móvil un 80% más caras de lo que me cuestan a mí?
¿Cómo puedes llamarte pobre cuando pagas comisiones por servicios bancarios y tarjetas de crédito el triple de lo que aquí nos cuestan, o cuando por un auto que a mi me cuesta 2.000 dólares ustedes pueden pagar el equivalente a 20.000 dólares? ¿Por qué ustedes sí pueden darse el gusto de regalarle 18.000 dólares al gobierno y nosotros no?
¡NO TE ENTIENDO!
Nosotros, los habitantes de Florida, somos pobres. Por eso el Gobierno Estatal, teniendo en cuenta nuestra precaria situación financiera, nos cobra sólo el 2% de IVA (más otro 4% que es Federal; total = 6%) Y no el 16% como a ustedes los ricos que viven en España Además, son ustedes los que tienen "Impuestos de Lujo" como son los impuestos por gasolina y gas, por alcohol, cigarros, cigarrillos, cerveza, vinos, etc. que alcanza hasta el 320% del valor original, y otros como: Impuesto sobre la renta (impuesto sobre el sueldo), impuesto sobre automóviles nuevos, impuesto a los bienes personales, impuesto a los bienes de las empresas, impuesto por uso del automóvil (de circulación). Y dichoso que todavía os dais el lujo de pagar un 16% de IVA por estos impuestos, además de todos los trámites y pagos nacionales y municipales (tasas).
Porque si ustedes no fueran ricos, ¿qué sentido tendría tener unos impuestos Nacionales, Autonómicos y Locales, de ese calibre? ¿POBRES?, ¿de dónde? Un país que es capaz de cobrar el IMPUESTO A LAS GANANCIAS Y A LOS BIENES PERSONALES por adelantado (mediante retenciones) como España, necesariamente tiene que nadar en la abundancia, porque considera que los negocios de la nación y de todos sus habitantes siempre tendrán ganancias a pesar de saqueos y asaltos, mordidas, terremotos, sequía, invierno, corrupción, saqueo fiscal e inundaciones y por supuesto seguro que todos deben ganar muchísimo. Los pobres somos nosotros, los que vivimos en USA y que NO pagamos impuesto sobre la renta si ganamos menos de 3.000 dólares al mes por persona (más o menos 2.000 €) Vds. tienen además el IBI, impuestos de basuras, impuestos sobre el consumo de Agua, Gas y Electricidad.
Y allí pagan seguridad privada en bancos, urbanizaciones, municipales, etc. mientras que nosotros nos conformamos con la pública. Allí hasta envían a los hijos a colegios privados, y mire si seremos pobres aquí en EE.UU., que las escuelas públicas nos prestan los libros de estudio previendo que no tenemos con qué comprarlos.
A veces me asombra la riqueza de los españoles que piden un préstamo cualquiera, y son capaces de pagar el 8% mensual de intereses, como mínimo. No como aquí, que apenas llegamos al 8% anual (generalmente 7.8%), justamente porque NO estamos en condiciones de pagar más. Supongo que, como todo rico, tiene un auto y que está pagando un 8% ó 10% anual de seguro; si le sirve de información, yo pago sólo 245 dólares por año.
Y como les sobra el dinero, ustedes si pueden efectuar pagos anuales en concepto de eso que ustedes llaman IMPUESTO DE CIRCULACION, (a parte de la ITV, zona verde, zona azul, aparcacoches forzosos, etc. mientras que acá nosotros no podemos darnos esos lujos y pagamos 15 dólares anuales por el STICKER sin importar qué modelo de auto conduzcas, pero claro, eso es para gente de recursos).
¡¡¡ESO ES SER RICO!!!
Ser rico, es tener 86.000 concejales casi 9.000 alcaldes, 17 Presidentes de Autonomías, casi 1.600 parlamentarios autonómicos, 350 diputados en Cortes, 300 Senadores, 200 parlamentarios en Estrasburgo, una Casa Real, 20 Ministros y todos sus adláteres —paradójicamente a menor rango, mayor sueldo, hay alcaldes que ganan mas que el presidente del Gobierno—, todo esto para un país tan pequeño como el suyo.
¡¡¡ESO ES SER RICO!!!
Vamos, se quedaron en ESPAÑA porque son RICOS. Somos los pobres como yo los que nos vinimos a probar suerte a otros lados.
Bueno, le mando un abrazo y ahí luego me cuenta cómo les va con el nuevo presupuesto, lo que sí es seguro es que les aumentarán más los impuestos. Pero no se preocupen, que la inflación se los va a diluir. Pero bueno eso es lo de menos cuando se tiene el dinero para pagarlos. Y tengan por seguro que en el próximo discurso le van a dar un tremendo aplauso a su presidente. Además eso es lo que hay que pagar por vivir en la 8ª potencia mundial, el mejor lugar del mundo y tercero donde la gente se siente más feliz del planeta.
Un saludo:
Su pobre amigo inmigrante.

Differences between Aiki and Ju

2009-01-07T16:20:00.015+01:00

Directamente de AikiWeb un interesante post de Chris Hein, de Central Valley Aikido, sobre la tan difusa diferencia entre Aiki (合気) y Ju (柔). Disfrútenlo.

Chris Hein Sensei

What is Aiki, how is it different then Jiu?
It's pretty common knowledge that Aikido is the study of Aiki; but what is Aiki? Do people other then martial artists use Aiki? Is Aiki magic? Is Aiki science? Does Aiki exist? These are all very important questions to which many never get fulfilling answers.
What is Aiki. Well first, lets look at the root words that make up Aiki. The first is Ai (合). Ai is the Japanese word for Accord, or meeting. It basically means to be in sync or come together with. The second word is Ki (気). Ki is the Japanese word for energy. Many people attach some mystical meaning to ki, but that will take us away from where we are trying to get to in this article. If for now you simply understand Ki as energy, the same as we use the word here in the west it will serve us well. By looking at these two words in conjunction we will get a very direct translation for aiki, of: in sync with energy.
For myself, I look at Aiki like music. Several musicians playing music together must use Aiki. The energy is the sound they are producing, and the accord is them working together to produce a cohesive piece of music. Music is a very good example to use because there is no physical interaction, it is simply and directly related to the harmony of the energy produced (the sound).
In my opinion an abstract example like this, is the clearest example of what Aiki is. Not to say that you cannot have Aiki when there is physical connection, but with physical interaction many other things may be things happening other then Aiki. This can cloud our understanding of what we will come to understand as Aiki.
Do people other then martial artists use Aiki? Well as we have seen in our example above, yes, certainly musicians use Aiki, but others do as well. Another clear example of someone using Aiki would be an American Football running back. The running back is the guy often given the ball behind the line of scrimmage (where all the other players are fighting to get to the ball) his job is to run past all the other players on the line and try and make forward progress. Oftentimes you will see one or several players from the other team brake the line and attempt to tackle the running back. However a good running back, with just his intent and a slight move of his hips is often able to make the other players miss him, and even fall in the process.
This is a "real life" example of what we in Aikido would call a "no touch" throw. The other players are trying so hard to get him, he convinces them that he will be in the place they suspect. Once he knows they are fully committed, he changes his direction and with out even touching them they will lose their balance and fall to the ground. This is not unique to Football, it can also be seen in soccer, basketball, and many other contact sports.
In our two examples above Aiki is being used in different ways. One is using Aiki to make a perfect harmony with the other musicians, and the other is using Aiki for a more personally beneficial end, however both are allowing their actions to come in sync with another energy; Aiki.
So how does one make Aiki? Active Aiki can only be achieved by allowing your mind to open to what is going on around you. Aiki is not a solitary practice, you must have something to harmonize with. What you harmonize with can be conscious or not, either way you can still achieve Aiki with it. However you can only "trick" an aware entity. For example if you are catching a ball, you will likely use Aiki. You will see the ball coming, and match the motion of the ball, so it lands softly in your hand. The ball is not conscious, however you still achieved an Aiki interaction with it. But the ball cannot be tricked, if you don't make contact with the ball it will follow it's natural path no matter what you do. Conscious entities can be tricked However. A bull for example, during a bull fight; the Matador can trick the bull into thinking things that are not true, and make the bull follow a new path. This is also Aiki, but used differently.
The Aikidoka must allow his mind to open to his surroundings, and seek to blend with what is going on around him. He must seek to be in harmony with his environment by detecting not only the physical motion of random objects, but also the intentions of his fellow man and beast. Truly beautiful Aiki (for us who study Aikido) starts with understanding your partner's intentions, and what motivates his action. After this is understood, you must choose actions, yourself that coincide with his desires, and blend with him to make a perfect Aiki interaction.
What is the difference between Aiki and Jiu? Depending on who you ask (particularly in relation to the styles that accompany the principals) you will get a multitude of different answers. These will range from the very mislead "Aikido is gentle and Jiu-jitsu is hard", to the overly simplistic, "they are basically the same thing".
Personally I've always hated the translation of Jiu (柔) as soft. Soft is what I would call a cotton ball. Jiu is like an inflated beach ball. I wouldn't call a beach ball soft per say, but it's not hard either. It has give, but also structure; it's springy. It's not without resistance. A bow (as in bow and arrow) is another good example of Jiu, it has flexibility, but it's certainly not soft, a good bow takes plenty of force to pull. While Jiu is yielding, it is also stable and strong, like the branches of a healthy tree.
Many people confuse the concept of Jiu and Aiki. While in physical interaction it's hard to tell the difference, they are still distinct principals, unique to themselves. Personally I would say the hard and fast rules are: Aiki is best used when you are not touching, and Jiu is best used with physical contact. In fact Jiu must have physical contact in order to be used. If you set a black inflatable ball next to a bowling ball, so they look identical, you would never know which one has Jiu (the inflatable ball) unless a physical force acted on it. Jiu is more receptive, and Aiki is more proactive.
While it's not impossible to use Aiki while in physical contact it's less clearly seen, and harder to understand. If you watch film of Judo great Kyuzo Mifune, you can see he often use's Aiki to throw instead of Jiu. He will strike a rhythm with his partner, by beginning to prance a bit, and the second his partner falls into his rhythm, Mifune will throw him. This is a great example of using Aiki in physical interaction, but hard for someone with little experience to see.
Aiki and Jiu are both present in Aikido as it is practiced today. While we call our art Aikido, it is not completely devoted to only the study of Aiki, but Jiu also. The deeper and more clearly we can understand the differences the more profound we can make our practice.

Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu en Honolulu a principios de los 90

2009-01-01T22:48:00.002+01:00

Casualmente me he encontrado esto por youtube. Un vídeo de Daito Ryu de principios de los 90 del que no se sabe quién está a cargo de la demostración. Disfruten...

Juegos retro en línea

2008-12-24T11:52:00.006+01:00

Si eres de la generación a la que Hey Hey 16K le hace saltar una lagrimita de nostalgia, 95 Old School Games You Can Play Online, una recopilación de juegos de aquella época que se pueden jugar dentro del navegador, es nuestro regalo de Navidad para ti.

Galaxian en plena acción

Es necesario tener Flash o Java instalados.

[Fuente: Microsiervos]

La revista Black Belt en Google Books!

2008-12-16T16:42:00.006+01:00

Gracias a DCS por haber compartido el enlace a la revista Black Belt online. Están todos los números desde Enero de 1962 hasta Diciembre del 2004.

No es lo mismo

2008-12-03T12:18:00.004+01:00

El aikiflorum cierra las puertas

2008-12-01T01:05:00.012+01:00

Publica Víctor Gutiérrez Navarro en el aikiflorum:

Maaaaadre mía. Me han tenido que llamar por teléfono para darme cuenta de esto. Pero qué harto estoy...

Quizás debierais saber que la principal razón por la que no borro todavía el foro es porque los agentes de la Policía Nacional en Galicia me pidieron que no desapareciera hasta tener todas las cosas claras en la denuncia pendiente contra uno de los foreros. El aikiforum hoy es deriva... pero al seguir viendo el lamentable servicio que presta este espacio al AIKIDO, y las acusaciones que hacen por ahí contra mi persona por permitirlo (y con razón)... me decido finalmente a borrarlo.

Publicaré una carta, cuando tenga tiempo, en la página principal del foro (sólo quedará esa) explicando la situación y disculpándome por no haber sabido llevar esto a buen puerto, y haber hecho tanto mal al AIKIDO.

Aquí creo que todo el mundo ha dejado clara ya su opinión, y lo que piensa en éste y otros asuntos. Y si no, pues la expresáis en otro lugar. Lo siento. Bueno, no lo siento, lo que lamento es no haberlo hecho antes.

Un abrazo a todos, sin excepción.

----------
Víctor Gutiérrez Navarro (Dojo Sintagma de Valencia)
www.aikidovalencia.es/escuelas/sintagma

Agradecer desde estas líneas a Sisko Morera por la entrevista a Peter Shapiro. Sin su infamia y mal hacer no habría pasado esto. ¡Lo has conseguido! Espero que estés contenta y que te regalen otro dan por el servicio prestado a la comunidad.

Y al señor Gutiérrez Navarro, también las gracias por cerrar un foro que no ha hecho más que dañar al Aikido permitiendo semejantes barbaridades, desinformaciones y difamaciones.

Nadie como Vd. y la señora Morera ha hecho tanto daño a históricos e incuestionables Maestros como Saito Morihiro Sensei, Mochizuki Minoru Sensei, Tomiki Kenji Sensei, Shioda Gozo Sensei, Abe Tadashi Sensei y otros.

Ya era hora.

Los derechos de los ciudadanos y el de los autores

2008-11-28T21:55:00.004+01:00

Transcribo aquí la carta abierta al presidente Zapatero redactada por Jorge Fuertes, presidente de Hispalinux.

"(…) bajo las condiciones existentes, los capitalistas privados inevitablemente controlan, directamente o indirectamente, las fuentes principales de información (prensa, radio, educación). Es así extremadamente difícil, y de hecho en la mayoría de los casos absolutamente imposible, para el ciudadano individual obtener conclusiones objetivas y hacer un uso inteligente de sus derechos políticos."

(Albert Einstein, ¿Por qué socialismo? Artículo publicado en Monthly Review, Nueva York, mayo de 1949).

El pronóstico de Albert Einstein fué constatado años despues en el Plan Estratégico de 1996-2001 de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura UNESCO), el cual advertía que si la concentración de la información, la comunicación y el soporte técnico quedaban en pocas manos, se resentiría seriamente la democracia en el mundo.

Desgraciadamente no previno que los intentos de equiparar los derechos de autor con la propiedad (lo que ha venido llamándose "propiedad intelectual") tendrían un efecto aún más perverso; la expropiación del conocimiento público, sufragado por toda la humanidad durante miles de generaciones y la apropiación del mismo por parte de personas que dicen tener "todos los derechos reservados" sobre su obra.

Como si no hubiera reutilizado conocimiento que a todos pertenece y del que nadie es, ni puede ser, su amo en exclusiva. Como si no hubiéramos sufragado todos, solidariamente, las estructuras que han hecho posible su aprendizaje, su bienestar y la posibilidad misma de vivir para poderla realizar.

Por otro lado la propiedad privada, en España, no es ilimitada por naturaleza, más al contrario; está sometida a la función social. El limite de la propiedad privada no es pues algo ajeno, exógeno o impuesto desde fuera sino que es algo consustancial a si misma y, por tanto, en el caso de los derechos de explotación de la obra (la mal llamada "propiedad intelectual") el derecho universal de acceso a la cultura supone el objetivo mismo de los derechos de autor (fomentar la creación para el aprovechamiento social).

Es por eso que nuestra Constitución en su artículo 44. establece que "Los poderes públicos promoverán y tutelarán el acceso a la cultura, a la que todos tienen derecho y promoverán la ciencia y la investigación científica y técnica en beneficio del interés general."

Por tanto los Derechos de Autor no pueden equipararse a los Derechos Fundamentales, y menos, ser prevalentes sobre ellos.

En ningún caso la investigación, persecución o penalización de una infracción de derechos de autor puede suponer la conculcación de Derechos Fundamentales como los expresados especialmente en el artículo 18 y 20:

Inviolabilidad del domicilio (no se puede registrar nuestros equipos sin consentimiento u orden judicial).
Secreto de las comunicaciones (no se nos puede espiar o conocer los datos que intercambiamos los ciudadanos sin orden judicial).
Límite a la informática para preservar la intimidad familiar (no se puede hacer estimaciones estadísticas de tráfico que permitan saber nuestra actividad sin orden judicial).
Derecho a una comunicación libre: Que abarca nuestra Libertad de Expresión, producción y creación literaria, artística, científica, técnica y tarea docente.
Derecho a la información: A recibirla y emitirla con prohibición expresa de la censura previa, el secuestro administrativo y cualquier maniobra para dificultad nuestro acceso a la información y la cultura.
Sólo podrá acordarse el secuestro de publicaciones, grabaciones y otros medios de información en virtud de resolución judicial.

Es por todo esto que la Neutralidad de Red es una obligación que deriva de los derechos fundamentales. Es decir, que los intermediarios deben mantenerse neutros y limitarse a conectar a proveedores de contenidos (sean personas físicas o jurídicas) con aquellos que deseen acceder a ellos sin jerarquizar, priorizar o penalizar dicha comunicación bajo ningún supuesto que no sea el de la voluntad del ciudadano. Y, por supuesto, garantizando el secreto de los datos y que por sus redes circulan y siendo completamente escrupulosos con la privacidad e intimidad de las personas.

Sr. Rodriguez Zapatero, por favor comuníquele a su Ministro de Cultura y a su Ministro de Industria que su gobierno está empeñado en favorecer los derechos de los ciudadanos y que si no están por la labor, que al menos respeten su promesa de acatar la Constitución Española.

-- Jorge Fuertes Alfranca, Presidente de Hispalinux.

Repsol nombra director general de la Fundación al hermano de De la Vega

2008-11-24T17:18:00.012+01:00

Repsol YPF ha nombrado a Jesús Fernández de la Vega, hermano de la vicepresidenta del Gobierno, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, nuevo Director General de la Fundación de la petrolera, han indicado fuentes de la compañía.

Según ha confirmado Repsol, Jesús Fernández de la Vega, ex director de Recursos Humanos de la petrolera, asumirá el cargo de Director General de la fundación antes de fin de año.

La propia María Teresa Fernández de la Vega se pronunció el pasado viernes en la rueda de prensa posterior al Consejo de Ministros sobre el deseo del Gobierno de que Repsol siguiera presidida por españoles pese a las más que probable entrada de Lukoil en su capital.

Fuentes próximas a Respol defienden que el nombramiento de Jesús estaba decidido internamente antes de conocer el interés de grupos internacionales en comprar el 20% que está actualmente en manos de la constructora Sacyr.

Por ello, niegan que sea un favor de Antonio Brufau al Gobierno del PSOE, que ha exigido la continuidad de empresario catalán como presidente del grupo petrolero como una de las condiciones sine qua non no autorizan la adquisición por parte de Lukoil. Además, explican que "Jesús Fernández De la Vega es un gran conocedor de Repsol" donde ha trabajado durante muchos años. Tras su jubilación hace poco más de un año, Repsol le nombró en septiembre de 2007 consejero de Petronor.

[Fuente: Agustín Marco en finanzas.com]

El PSOE lleva al Congreso una proposición contra la 'piratería' en Internet

2008-11-21T12:42:00.007+01:00

El Grupo Socialista en el Congreso llevará al pleno del próximo martes por la tarde una Proposición no de Ley relativa a una estrategia para hacer frente a la "piratería" cultural en Internet. Aunque su texto es muy breve y se limita a lanzar un llamamiento genérico al Gobierno a proteger la propiedad intelectual en la Red, la propuesta ha provocado infinidad de críticas.

La propuesta, defendida por el diputado socialista Rafael Simancas, según consta en el boletín oficial del Congreso del 31 de octubre, expone que a pesar de que el Gobierno ha trabajado con sensibilidad y determinación en el control de la piratería cultural en Internet, "las elevadas cifras de actos de 'piratería' que afectan al cine, a lamúsica, al software, al software de entretenimiento, incluso a la industria editorial, invitan a reforzar incluso la meritoria labor realizada hasta ahora".

La amenaza más seria a la propiedad intelectual proviene de la 'piratería' en el entorno digital.

El texto continua asegurando que "La amenaza más seria a la propiedad intelectual, y por tanto a la estabilidad de nuestra industria cultural y al estímulo de la creatividad, proviene de la 'piratería' en el entorno digital". Por ello, la Proposición no de Ley insta al Gobierno a encabezar una estrategia consensuada y eficaz que permita ordenar la circulación de contenidos en Internet,para hacer frente a la piratería cultural".

La respuesta desde el lado de los usuarios no se ha hecho esperar. La Asociación Hispalinux ha hecho un llamamiento a sus asociados y relacionados ante lo que definen como "uno de los casos más graves a los que nos hemos tenido que enfrentar y es necesario que nos movilicemos al máximo nivel y de forma inmediata."

Para Hispalinux, se trata del "primer paso de una estrategia cuidadosa e interesadamente diseñada por aquellos que quieren amordazarnos y convertirnos en meros clientes y quitarnos nuestros derechos como ciudadanos". Aunque el run run de que el Gobierno podría intervenir en la neutralidad de la Red, es ahora cuando las alarmas han saltado.

Un supuesto plan del Gobierno para penalizar el tráfico de archivos P2P.

En la edición de este año del Hackmeeting, que reunió a tres centenares de hackers en Málaga, hace un mes, una de las charlas que tuvo más audiencia fue la presentada por el Hacklab de Madrid en la que alertaban de un supuesto plan del Gobierno para, aprovechando el turno de la presudencia europea, en 2010, penalizar el tráfico de archivos por medio de las redes y programas P2P.

En aquella ocasión se sentaron las bases para una colaboración de cara a planificar acciones de protesta y, lo que uno de ellos llamó, "acciones de resistencia activa". Los miembros del Hackmeeting están ahora difundiendo la medidad del Grupo Socialista fuera de España y preparan una web desde la que centralizar las acciones.

Al final de su aviso de alerta, Hispalinux hace un llamamiento a la acción: Por ello os pedimos que hagáis todo cuanto esté en vuestra mano: "Bloguead, enviad correos electrónicos, notificadlo a los medios de comunicación, avergonzad a todos los políticos que tengáis al alcance de la mano y pedidles explicaciones, movilizaos si podéis en FICOD para que se nos oiga, y sobre todo, que no os tomen por tontos, que se oiga vuestro clamor, que sientan temblar sus poltronas. El poder está en nuestras manos. Ejerzámoslo."

[Fuente: Publico.es]

A catalogue of various and sundry things that are out to get you, and their Aiki counters

2008-11-18T12:39:00.009+01:00

Attacks can come in many different forms, and from many different directions. Moreover, an attack must necessarily carry with it a quantity of energy, and this force will be characterized by any of a number of classifiable qualities.

The following is a brief compendium of the variety of attack characteristics, each designated by a descriptive title. After the explanatory paragraph, suggestions on appropriate aiki response strategies are given.

Ballistic

A freight train is coming straight toward you. It has a lot of inertia, and carries a lot of energy. If you're on the track in front of it, you're a target. This is the kind of thing you might expect from a drunk in a bar who decides to suddenly vent all of their anger at you.

Resolution: Get off the track and let it go by. You may decide to reroute the tracks or jump on board to direct the train, but the first priority is to get out of the way. Trying to stop it or reason with it will just get you run over.

Heat Seeking

Similar to the Ballistic attack, only this one is intelligent. Usually its trajectory carries less energy, but this means less inertia so it can turn and follow you wherever you move. And it typically carries an explosive warhead. Here we are talking about a mugger or rapist. Or in daily life, this could be an adversarial coworker who is plainly out to destroy you.

Resolution: Running and trying to dodge endlessly only drains your energy and plays into the heat seeker's strength. Stand still and calm (stay cool) and let it come to you. Step aside at the last instant and redirect the energy away from yourself or other innocents. Find a way to route the energy into the ground (any larger system that can fade the heat).

Covert Operative

While smiling to your face, the subversive will stab you in the back. This usually entails a circular direction attack. Any time you feel off balance around someone, but you don't know why, there's a good chance you are involved with a subversive.

Resolution: Know yourself. Make sure you aren.t just being paranoid or insecure. Make sure criticisms directed or implied your way aren.t justified. Then try to expose the true nature of the attack so that it can be dealt with more openly. Example: "Marge, that's quite an outfit. I bet you saved a lot of money when you bought that... "You recognize the veiled insult and force Marge to be more honest or to back off: "I'm not sure what you're saying, Marge. Do you really like my outfit or are you just calling me cheap?"

Mosquitoes

Although there is very little energy in the attacks, they are very annoying and distracting nonetheless. In combat, the assailant is delivering a series of feints and jabs. In daily life, these are all the petty concerns that cumulatively can sap your strength.

Resolution: Realize the actual threat is minor. Don't spend more energy on something than it's worth. Swat them where you can but keep your mind focused on more serious concerns.

Anchor

Anything that spends its energy to limit your freedom is an anchor. In combat, you are being restrained by an aggressor. An overly possessive parent or lover is a more mundane example.

Resolution: Keep your mind free. Struggling against the anchor weakens you and strengthens the anchor's hold. Relax and wait for an opening, realizing that you are taking the energy that it requires to maintain its hold.

Mine Field

Here, you get sucker-punched for no good reason. You innocently complement someone and they explode in your face.

Resolution: Learn to tread lightly, but still with confidence. Balance proper distance with intimacy, using the distance for safety (of both parties), and using intimacy for better knowing and understanding. Never get too close to someone without really understanding the area of involvement.

Leech

They lock onto you and won't let go. Unlike the anchor, they don't care about limiting your freedom as long as they can hold on and suck you 'till you're dry. They'll keep you on phone for hours, they'll take all your time, drain your resources, and then imply that however much you do isn't enough.

Resolution: Be generous but know your limits. It isn't their fault they keep taking if you keep giving. But if they take beyond your willingness (and ability) to give, treat them as you would a real leech: make a clean and careful cut with a razor blade. If it's large enough, then it's no longer a leech, it's a vampire. Time to sharpen that wooden stake.

Now, these are only some of the most basic forms that attack energy can assume. We can expect to encounter other forms, but they will probably be combinations of the above categories. For example, Ballistic + Mosquito = The Boxer; Mosquito + Anchor = The Wrestler. A Heat Seeker + Mine Field = Someone I Really Don't Want to Meet! It's useful to play with combinations of two and three basic attributes to see how they might add up, and then identify people or situations in our lives that fit the description. We also need to realize that attacks come in the form of people, situations, and our own emotions and desires. Attacks are rarely evil. They seem that way because of their potential for harm. Learning to deal with attacks as simple forces of nature allows us to maintain balance and respond in a rational manner.

In aikido, it is a foregone conclusion that we seek to avoid escalating the conflict, and hopefully the justification for that is self-evident. Where we add our own energy into the situation, it is usually to redirect it or transform it. One of nice things about energy, as opposed to matter, is that it is easily transmutable. Aikido strategy is optimized for handling attacks by transmuting them into more manageable form.

For example, if you are attacked by a mugger who is alternating Mosquito and Heat Seeker attack styles, you will have a problem if you stand there and spar with them. You are playing the game that they expect, and you are definitely escalating the conflict. By keeping ma-ai (proper distance), they will have to choose between letting you go or turning their attack ballistic. Once ballistic, you may then respond with any of the standard aiki-waza. I've seen too many aikido students get frustrated when they try to execute a kokyunage in a sparring type of encounter. They need to learn the patience and the skills necessary to draw their opponent into giving a more committed attack that is suitable for standard aiki defenses.

We are all very vulnerable beings. By understanding ourselves and the nature of things that can harm us, we may begin to develop the ability to recognize adverse situations that have been made familiar through training and discipline. Hopefully we can then create a set of tools which are simple yet effective in transforming our world into one which is increasingly less hostile toward us. This means we must first have a willingness to let go of our own hostilities and accept the changes to our own nature that are necessary for genuine living.

-- Ross Robertson

La cúpula de 20 millones de euros de Barceló

2008-11-17T15:11:00.003+01:00

Lo reconozco. La cúpula tiene su aquel. Pero que alguien cobre 20 millones de euros por pintar un techo con manguera es algo que, en tiempos de crisis, más que escandaloso se me antoja repugnante.

Hay que recordar que es un encargo del Ministerio de Exteriores y que fue financiado con Fondos de Ayuda al Desarrollo. Que la obra se encuentra en Ginebra, con lo que pocos españoles vamos a tener la oportunidad de "gozarla". Lo lógico es que no se gaste semejante cantidad de dinero en una frivolidad como esta, y que, si se gasta, se gaste en España para que revierta en beneficio del país y de la ciudad donde se instale.

Eso sí, la sala donde está instalada se llama "Sala de los Derechos Humanos y la Alianza de Civilizaciones". Y es que Barceló es de los que apoyan a ZP, con gesto de la ceja incluído. Y es que esto sí que es política social, y no emplear los Fondos de Ayuda al Desarrollo para... para ayuda al desarrollo.

No, es mejor ser progre y ayudar a los demás, con un dinero que España no tiene, para seguir cavando el hoyo donde nos han metido.

Takeno Sensei 8th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido - Tokyo Enbukai (1993)

2008-11-16T01:05:00.008+01:00

Lamentablemente, para muchos (como los cortos de vista del aikiflorum), esto no es Aikido, sino alguna forma de Jujutsu o de "Aikijutsu". Pobrecicos. De verdad que no saben de lo que hablan...

Siempre nos quedará ese 1% de gente que practica Aikido, y no esa cosa que llaman Aikido™.

[17/11/08] Actualización: Añado otro vídeo de Takeno Sensei. ¡Impresionante!

El Budoka entrevista a Peter Shapiro Sensei

2008-11-14T15:11:00.010+01:00

Acabo de leer la entrevista que Sisko Morera hace en El Budoka a Peter Shaphiro y es para quedarse con la boca abierta. El señor Shaphiro dice cosas como estas:

—"O Sensei usaba Bo en su videos y fotos..."

—"Saito Sensei no entendía nada de Bukiwaza..."

—"O Sensei le había prohibido enseñar armas..."

—"Cuando murió O Sensei, Saito Sensei empezó a enseñar Jo y Ken..."

—"Sus armas, Saitoken y Saitojo, son su propia invención..."

—"O Sensei no soportaba que Saito Sensei enseñase ni Ken ni Jo porque porque él realmente no entendía lo suficiente como para enseñarlos..."

Este señor es de la cuerda de Hikitsuchi Michio, Gerard Blaize, el matrimonio Morera y demás seres mintientes. Lo que dice en la entrevista debería avergonzar no sólo a todos sus estudiantes, sino a cualquiera de la línea de Hikitsuchi. Pero no se les cae la cara de vergüenza.

Y la señora Morera se queda tan tranquila, al ver de esta manera "confirmada" sus tonterías del Masakatsu Bojutsu. Y el señor Gutierrez Navarro tan tranquilo cuando se dicen barbaridades, estulticias y gilipolleces de semejante calibre en su foro. Porque son sus amigos.

Desde luego anormales y sectarios los hay en todas partes. Sean tercer dan, sexto o decimoquinto...

Arturo Pérez-Reverte... previendo el futuro

2008-11-13T17:07:00.006+01:00

Un viejo amigo me acaba de pasar esto por email. Lo comparto aquí por su relevante actualidad...

Artículo del escritor español Arturo Pérez-Reverte, publicado en 'El Semanal' el 15 de noviembre de 1998, y que ahora, diez años después, parece una visión de Nostradamus.

Usted no lo sabe, pero depende de ellos. Usted no los conoce ni se los cruzará en su vida, pero esos hijos de la gran puta tienen en las manos, en la agenda electrónica, en la tecla intro del computador, su futuro y el de sus hijos.
Usted no sabe qué cara tienen, pero son ellos quienes lo van a mandar al paro en nombre de un tres punto siete, o un índice de probabilidad del cero coma cero cuatro.
Usted no tiene nada que ver con esos fulanos porque es empleado de una ferretería o cajera de Pryca, y ellos estudiaron en Harvard e hicieron un máster en Tokio, o al revés, van por las mañanas a la Bolsa de Madrid o a la de Wall Street, y dicen en inglés cosas como "long-term capital management", y hablan de fondos de alto riesgo, de acuerdos multilaterales de inversión y de neoliberalismo económico salvaje, como quien comenta el partido del domingo.
Usted no los conoce ni en pintura, pero esos conductores suicidas que circulan a doscientos por hora en un furgón cargado de dinero van a atropellarlo el día menos pensado, y ni siquiera le quedará el consuelo de ir en la silla de ruedas con una recortada a volarles los huevos, porque no tienen rostro público, pese a ser reputados analistas, tiburones de las finanzas, prestigiosos expertos en el dinero de otros. Tan expertos que siempre terminan por hacerlo suyo. Porque siempre ganan ellos, cuando ganan; y nunca pierden ellos, cuando pierden.
No crean riqueza, sino que especulan. Lanzan al mundo combinaciones fastuosas de economía financiera que nada tienen que ver con la economía productiva. Alzan castillos de naipes y los garantizan con espejismos y con humo, y los poderosos de la Tierra pierden el culo por darles coba y subirse al carro.
Esto no puede fallar, dicen. Aquí nadie va a perder. El riesgo es mínimo. Los avalan premios Nóbel de Economía, periodistas financieros de prestigio, grupos internacionales con siglas de reconocida solvencia.
Y entonces el presidente del banco transeuropeo tal, y el presidente de la unión de bancos helvéticos, y el capitoste del banco latinoamericano, y el consorcio euroasiático, y la madre que los parió a todos, se embarcan con alegría en la aventura, meten viruta por un tubo, y luego se sientan a esperar ese pelotazo que los va a forrar aún más a todos ellos y a sus representados.
Y en cuanto sale bien la primera operación ya están arriesgando más en la segunda, que el chollo es el chollo, e intereses de un tropecientos por ciento no se encuentran todos los días. Y aunque ese espejismo especulador nada tiene que ver con la economía real, con la vida de cada día de la gente en la calle, todo es euforia, y palmaditas en la espalda, y hasta entidades bancarias oficiales comprometen sus reservas de divisas. Y esto, señores, es Jauja.
Y de pronto resulta que no.
De pronto resulta que el invento tenía sus fallos, y que lo de alto riesgo no era una frase sino exactamente eso: alto riesgo de verdad.
Y entonces todo el tinglado se va a tomar por el saco. Y esos fondos especiales, peligrosos, que cada vez tienen más peso en la economía mundial, muestran su lado negro. Y entonces, ¡oh, prodigio!, mientras que los beneficios eran para los tiburones que controlaban el cotarro y para los que especulaban con dinero de otros, resulta que las pérdidas, no.
Las pérdidas, el mordisco financiero, el pago de los errores de esos pijolandios que juegan con la economía internacional como si jugaran al Monopoly, recaen directamente sobre las espaldas de todos nosotros. Entonces resulta que "mientras el beneficio era privado", "los errores son colectivos", "y las pérdidas hay que socializarlas", acudiendo con medidas de emergencia y con fondos de salvación para evitar efectos dominó y chichis de la Bernarda. Y esa solidaridad, imprescindible para salvar la estabilidad mundial, la paga con su pellejo, con sus ahorros, y a veces con su puesto de trabajo, Mariano Pérez Sánchez, de profesión empleado de comercio, y los millones de infelices Marianos que a lo largo y ancho del mundo se levantan cada día a las seis de la mañana para ganarse la vida.
Eso es lo que viene, me temo. Nadie perdonará un duro de la deuda externa de países pobres, pero nunca faltarán fondos para tapar agujeros de especuladores y canallas que juegan a la ruleta rusa en cabeza ajena. Así que podemos ir amarrándonos los machos. Ése es el panorama que los amos de la economía mundial nos deparan, con el cuento de tanto neoliberalismo económico y tanta mierda, de tanta especulación y de tanta poca vergüenza.

Tezuka Akira Sensei passes away

2008-11-11T18:53:00.004+01:00

Luca Idolazzi Sensei from the Taki no Kan sent the following note to e-budo.com:

Yesterday Tezuka Akira sensei passed away. He was one of the faithful uchi deshi of Mochizuki Minoru sensei and practised with energy at the old Yoseikan Dojo in Shizuoka. He strongly believed in Budo and tradition and preserved them through the years with his everyday practise. He continued Master Mochizuki's work in Shizuoka Yoseikan dojo with the Budo Seifukai. He left a big gap in Yoseikan tradition.

El Sugino Dojo reconocido finalmente por la Katori Shinto Ryu

2008-11-07T21:29:00.007+01:00

Desde 2005 los alumnos del Sugino Dojo, dirigidos por Sugino Yukihiro Sensei, acuden a las demostraciones en el templo Meiji bajo el nombre Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, cuyo soke es Iizasa Yasusada Sensei. El otro grupo demostrando Katori Shinto Ryu es el de Kyoso Shigetoshi Sensei, el hijo de Otake Risuke Shihan. Es la única ryuha que ha mantenido dos grupos demostrando en este evento desde 2005.

Durante el naorai tras las demostraciones del 3 de noviembre de 2008, se pidió a los representantes de las ryuha presentes que se levantaran y dijeran unas palabras. Cuando le llegó el turno Iizasa Yasusada Sensei se levantó y lo mismo hicieron los miembros del Sugino Dojo. Iizasa Sensei entronces se identificó como el Soke de la Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu y, dirigiéndose a los mienbros del Sugino Dojo dijo claramente: "Estos son miembros del Sugino Dojo, dojo afiliado a la Katori Shinto Ryu".

Esta declaración no se hizo en privado. Había al menos otras 60 personas en la sala, todos ellos Soke, Shihan o practicantes de sus respectivas koryu, que escucharon estas palabras.

[Fuente: Ron Beaubien]

El Gobierno gasta 1.000€ al día en la vivienda de ZP

2008-10-29T18:48:00.006+01:00

Los «Gastos de Palacio» de Zapatero se destinan a mantenimiento de su vivienda.

En los Presupuestos del presidente del Gobierno para el año 2009 hay una pomposa partida que se llama «Gastos de Palacio», y que cuesta al contribuyente 355.360 euros (casi 60 millones de pesetas). Está incluida dentro del capítulo de «Gastos corrientes en bienes y servicios», y del concepto «Material, suministros y otros». El Grupo Popular envió una pregunta por escrito al Ministerio de Presidencia para que explicara el desglose de ese gasto, que no existía en 2004, en los últimos Presupuestos Generales del Estado que realizó el Gobierno de José María Aznar antes de dejar el poder.

La respuesta, escueta pero significativa, ya ha llegado a la Carrera de San Jerónimo, y dice así: «En relación con la partida 226.10 (gastos de Palacio), a ésta se imputan los gastos de mantenimiento de la vivienda del presidente del Gobierno y del edificio del Consejo de Ministros». Y no ofrece ningún detalle más, pese a requerírselo el Parlamento.

[Fuente: abc.es]

Zapatero busca la repesca tras ser excluído de la Cumbre de los 20

2008-10-23T16:56:00.006+02:00

Bush convoca al llamado G-20, en el que están todos los grandes y países como Argentina, Turquía, Indonesia y Corea del Sur. Todos menos España, se entiende. Porque España, con Zapatero, no es de los grandes.

Si no fuera por lo grave que es la cosa...