Sometimes the smallest choices in Aikido make the biggest difference — like a subtle atemi or movement into spaces, such as that between the shoulder and ear.
As we noted last week, katadori can be pretty challenging, no matter which technique you’re working on. If you remember, we practiced an exercise where uke grabs nage’s lapel, and nage simply focused on being heavy, falling back, and expanding the chest.
We then developed that exercise further, so that it started looking more and more like suwariwaza katadori nikyo. But we didn’t actually reach nikyo last week.
In today’s video, we continue the development until it almost resembles nikyo. In fact, some of the students are already doing it! Then we begin exploring this interesting space between the ear and shoulder. After delivering the initial atemi and swiping their hand and forearm to your lapel, you have a choice:
You can grab uke’s hand and transition into a conventional nikyo (like we do in testing).
Or, instead of grabbing their hand, you can move up to the neck area for a different kind of focus and interaction.
It’s tricky to describe in words, but you’ll see exactly what I mean in the video. Stick around until the end — not only do I have a special announcement, but I also left in some of our ato-geiko. For those who don’t know, ato-geiko means “training after the training.” It’s the freestyle segment where juniors (kohai) seek out seniors (senpai) or sensei for freestyle throws.
During this seminar, a couple of black belts came to me, one or two white belts did as well, and many went to their senpai. You’ll see some great ato-geiko action.
I hope this video gives you insight, inspiration, and motivation to make the most of your training and take your Aikido to the next level.
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Let’s check it out. And be sure to stick around until the end for a special announcement.
🎥 WATCH: Aikido Katadori Nikkyo | Exploring Atemi & Ato-Geiko Training Insights
đź’¬ Question for You:
Let me know in the comments:
- Do you find katadori to be a challenging attack?
- And if you’re an instructor, what kinds of exercises do you do with your students to help them with katadori?
Lia Suzuki
Author
• The Teacher
• Mastering The Shoto
Director: Aikido Kenkyukai International USA
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