Do you or your students ever find yourselves fixating on the contact point, trying to force your partner’s arm, but missing their center?
When we miss our partner's center, it becomes difficult to throw them successfully.
In today's video, I have students really focus on the space—rather than the obstacles, like their partner’s arm. We approach this the same way as lunging a horse: pointing the "accelerator" (in this case, the shoto) at the base of our partner, while leading them or providing a forward path with the other hand.
At the end of the video, we return to a more conventional version of ikkyo, where I encourage the students to apply what we just worked on—focusing on the SPACE, rather than trying to move the contact point—into this familiar technique.
I hope today’s video gives you some insight, inspiration, and motivation to help you make the most of your training and take your Aikido to the next level.
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Let’s dive in. And be sure to stick around until the end for a special announcement.
🎥 WATCH: Unconventional Hanmi Handachi Shihonage for Grounding | Aikido Summer Camp Training
💬 Question for You:
Let me know in the comments:
- Do you feel more centered or grounded in your practice lately?
- And if you’re an instructor, what kinds of centering or grounding exercises do you use with your students?
Lia Suzuki
Author
• The Teacher
• Mastering The Shoto
Director: Aikido Kenkyukai International USA
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🗓 Upcoming Seminars
2025
- July 30 - August 3 (Registration now open!)
Aikido Kenkyukai Los Angeles Summer Camp
Senseis Lia Suzuki and Matt Bridi
Los Angeles, California, USA - September 12-14
Ima Juku Aikido
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Baarn, Netherlands - September 16
Aikido-Shinboku-Verein
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Düsseldorf, Germany - September 17-21
Bewegung & Lebenskunst Bonn
Lia Suzuki Sensei
- - September 17-18: Yudansha Seminar
- - September 19-21: Mixed Levels Seminar
Bonn, Germany - September 22-23
PSV Heidelberg Aikido Sansuikai Dojo
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Heidelberg, Germany - October 10-12
Aikido & Healing Arts Center of Roseville
Senseis Michael Friedl, Craig Fife, and Lia Suzuki
Roseville, CA, USA - November 14-16
Denver Aikikai
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Denver, CO, USA
2026
- March 27-29
Cherry Blossom Seminar in Kumamoto, Japan
Senseis Sakabe, Johansson, Lin, and Suzuki
Kumamoto, Japan - July 3-5
Aikido Aishinkan Latvia
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Riga, Latvia - October 2-4
Mountain West Aikido - Livingston
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Livingston, CO, USA
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