Year-Round, All-Weather Outdoor Training

There are also separate running suburi practices. We run a one-mile route through the park, stopping at intervals to practice suburi, kumijo and kumitachi. We also do rolling, downhill and uphill, at one point during the run.

The Value of Morning Practice

"You practice early every morning. Why ?

"Master Ueshiba practiced early in the morning, Master Tsuda as well ; I continue to practice early in the morning. That's the first reason. The second reason is that only those who are very determined, very well motivated, come in the morning, because to be here at this time, you must get up at around 5:30 AM. In the morning we are fresher than at the end of the day and it's easier to practice “non-doing”, at least for beginners. We are also more “involuntary” - still a bit half asleep, we are not yet entirely into our “social being” that we use during the day, to encounter others and go about our work : smile when we should, or not; say “thank you”, etc. In the morning we arrive at the dojo still clean, not very structured yet, and there is something more authentic there."

From an interview with Regis Soavi,
by Monica Rossi, “Arti d'Oriente”, February 1999
Discussing the teaching of Itsuo Tsuda (1914-1984)
Aikido Journal

Katadori Sankyo Omotewaza: John Rhode, left, and Sarah Montgonery, Bryan Park, 12-30-06.

Katadori Nikkyo Urawaza: Peggy Truett, left, and Sarah Montgonery, Bryan Park, 12-30-06.

Aikicommunications ...