Renewed Focus
Two study group sessions this month, as everyone is keen to focus in on improving. With a great group like this, training is such a pleasure.
Category: Blog
What fantastic training
A thoroughly enjoyable study group session tonight. Considerable progress was made. Then we had beer. Such lovely people. Lee couldn’t make it. Thankfully his dogi was able to stand in for him.
Great training
This seems very familiar
Training this Friday night
The next Daito-ryu Study Group Session is 7pm, Friday 8th October in Swalecliffe, Kent. If you would like to attend, get in touch and introduce yourself.
Next training 1st Oct
Oh how I’ve missed these guys
What a splendid way to spend a Friday evening. To meet up with some wonderful friends, and crush them.
At last!
We did it. We finally, after such a long hiatus, have been able to resume study group practice. It was so great to see everyone. Nice new dojo too! Here’s to much more Daito-Ryu.
Ok we were “back”, but now we WILL be “back back”
In light of the government’s announcement to extend the lifting of restrictions for 4 weeks, we will now resume training in late July instead. We will announce the specifics soon…..
We’re back baby!
First Study Group meeting back after Covid restrictions is 2nd July 2021. And we have a dojo…. Unit 2, Oyster Bay,Estuary CloseSt Augustine Business Park,SwalecliffeCT5 2QJ If you would like to try Daito-Ryu with us, get in touch via the contact page.
Takeda video via new technology
This new DeepNostalgia from MyHeritage is very impressive. I thought I’d give it a whirl with none other than Takeda Sokaku himself.
Seminar Feedback by Rich Hobbs
This was my second time attending a seminar with Howard Popkin and the only disappointment I came away with was that the time between each opportunity is as long as it is… Howard has a confident yet quiet delivery and whilst he is friendly, open and safe in his delivery…
Aiki Connections by Ben Forrest
Training with Howard Popkin Sensei provides a unique insight into Daito Ryu and some of its elements which translate into Aikido. His techniques are are incredibly soft – almost effortless – and yet they are impossible to resist. Although this is infuriating at first, Howard’s detailed explanation and step-by-step demonstration…
Seminar weekend
Today would have been the first day of Aiki Connections 7. We will get our weekend soon, just not yet. Stay safe everyone.
Aiki Connections 7 – Postponed
Hi all, Just to let you know we have postponed our annual Aiki Connections seminar for May 2020, which we will reschedule. We have already been in touch with everyone who had already booked on the weekend. Please watch this space for future announcements. Please stay safe. Our best wishes…
Interesting Article from Aikido Journal
This article on Police Arrest techniques adapted from Daito-ryu is very interesting. Considering how we practise kamae in our branch of Daito-ryu, I was particularly interested in this, the 8th Footnote… “The insistence of Hisa on hanmi (半身, lit.: “half of one’s body”) is interesting since it is not usually prominently…
More suitable meme choice
It’s Aiki-jujutsu 😉 Image credit Griffinisland on Reddit. Well done to them, great job!
Not just a little leap forward…
You expect occasionally to take a little leap forward in your understanding of things. What you don’t plan for, is to have your mind blown open by new possibility and instead end up realising that what you thought you knew just wasn’t anywhere near the whole picture at all. This…
Aiki Connections 2020 Places Sold
Fantastic news, we have sold half of the available places on the 7th annual Aiki Connections weekend in May, with Howard Popkn and Joe Brogna. If you would like to participate in the most fun weekend on the calendar, we advise you book your spot sharpish. Book your place at…
Required reading : TSYR History and Technique
Before I fortunate enough to start training Daito-Ryu Ginjukai in 2014, I was an avid practitioner of Aikido alone. Through my good friend Neil Saunders, in 2009 I was lucky enough to meet Robert Mustard of Yoshinkan Aikido, a Canadian Aikido teacher who had been famously depicted in Robert Twiggers…
Lineage
Misinformation
5 years
It is five years since the passing of Okamoto Seigo. We have to thank him for all he did to openly spread awareness of Daito-Ryu Aiki around the world, and for passing his skills to our teachers so we can all continue to benefit from his memory. We will do…
What are the basic techniques of Daito–ryu?
Shihan Certification & Hiden Ogi scroll awarded to Okamoto Seigo by Horikawa Kodo What are the basic techniques of Daito–ryu? Okamoto: These are basics that were created by Shisho (Kodo) in Hokkaido. In our case we have changed them a little, but basically speaking they are the same. If one…
A Very familiar sentiment, by Dave Remnant
My own martial arts training started with Shaolin kung fu, then jujitsu. So since starting training in Aikido, my biggest battle has been with acquiring softness and trying not to use brute strength in techniques. As one part of my early investigations into aikido I investigated the source of Aikido,…
An island of good ‘Aiki’ by Neil Saunders
When I was younger, I had a very good friend who I spent more hours training with than I can remember, and thanks to him I carry some of the injuries I do today and likewise for him I would imagine. We were stupid and probably pushed close to the…
A Memorable Event by Laurence McGrandles
A two-day seminar with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna. As martial artists we tend to walk a fairly similar path. We try out a style, find it is a good fit for where we are at that time and we either stick with it, or as our life and needs…
The best experience, by Stuart Turner
Aikido folk often pay lip-service to the fact that their art derives from Daito-ryu, but not many get the chance to actually train in aikido’s parent art. I was fortunate enough to be able to share a mat with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna at the Aiki Connections seminar recently,…
What is Daitō-ryū?
Reposting this article for the benefit of our Study Group members (and anyone else who might be interested of course). Last year I wrote the following article for the British Aikido Association magazine “Shizentai”. The intended audience is mainly Tomiki Kenji lineage aikido folk. I very much like the name…
Final flourish
For our last Herne Bay Study Group session of 2019, our intrepid band of merry Daito-ryu practitioners spent an evening studying kotegaeshi with a focus on Aiki sage. Genuine progress is very noticeable, and I couldn’t be happier with how the group is going. My thanks to everyone involved, and…
Aiki Connections VII, tickets on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for Aiki Connections VII, 30th-31st May 2020. Visit our Event Page to book your place.
Fantastic training
What a great night we had on Friday in Herne Bay, with considerable progress being achieved.
Required reading – George Ledyard @ Aikido Journal
This interview with George Ledyard is well worth a read over at the Aikido Journal website. It is entirely applicable to Daito-ryu, which George mentions a few times with regard to training methodology and skill transmission. The Role of Ukemi in Aikido – Part 1 The Role of Ukemi in…
Herne bay study group tonight
Looking forward to seeing our fantastic group in Herne Bay tonight, to diligent training and to concentrating super hard as always. And no we aren’t at this level (yet).
West Country abound
It was “Study group on tour” shenanigans this weekend.Will and Tom joined me for a weekends Daito-Ryu training in Bristol and Torquay.As is becoming the tradition, Will kindly brought some booze with him which obviously we had to taste in advance.Daughter made some crafty Daito-Ryu gifts to take with us.And…
Love these guys
Another super enjoyable study group session in Herne Bay, with much progress on the eternal journey towards softness being made.
Excellent Study Group Night
An awesome bunch of budoka came together yesterday in Herne Bay for more enjoyable Daito-Ryu endeavours.
Rob’s feedback, by Rob Ayre
Some more Aiki Connections feedback, this time courtesy of Rob Ayre. “The line between Aikido and Daito-Ryu is fast disappearing for me. Everything I want from Aikido exists in Daito-Ryu. The subtle and soft movements with devastating effects are worthy of sincere study. To be unable to move or to…
“It’s up to you…”
Back fresh from my week in the USA, which included the three day Daito-Ryu Ginjukai Honbu Weekend (among other things) on Long Island, New York. I had a fantastic time, and learned so much. It is great to train and benefit from the experience of so many other Ginjukai members.…
Cracking night in Herne Bay
Last night, all eyes were on Herne Bay seafront as our intrepid gang of Daito-Ryu enthusiasts met once again for more action. We were joined for the first time by our friends Lionel, Lisa and Mark from Essex. Fresh from their first experience of Daito-Ryu at Aiki Connections 2019, they…
Some great feedback from Stu Marshall
Some cracking feedback courtesy of Stu Marshall…. What can I say that hasn’t already been said multiple times with greater eloquence and insight? Not much. It’s all true what people say. Every bit of it. Unless it’s anything other than superlative, in which case it’s an outrageous fabrication. Fake News.…
Pro shots from Aiki Connections 2019
Will’s seminar review – by William Greene
I was given an opportunity to learn about Daito-Ryu courtesy of Phil Eyers when I joined Genryukan dojo. I was interested in Aikido for being able to throw your opponents without using force compared to other popular martial arts. I never knew a style softer than aikido existed until I…
Seminar feedback by Lionel de Nobrega
Some more feedback, this time courtesy of Lionel de Nobrega; You expect occasionally to take a little leap forward in your understanding of things. What you don’t plan for, is to have your mind blown open by new possibility and instead end up realising that what you thought you knew…
Weekend feedback, by Paul Conway
Some feedback from the weekend, courtesy of Paul Conway…. “Back from a weekend of training with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna, the leaders of the Ginjukai school of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. I think you would struggle to find a better seminar than those led by Howard and Joe. They both…
Weekend thoughts
I just got back from the airport run, and am in full on adrenaline dump mode. I just wanted to get a few thoughts down about the weekend. This was the sixth consecutive Aiki Connections seminar. Each year Howard and Joe have attracted an increasing number of participants to the…
Okamoto Seigo interview part 2
What an amazing Friday night
Enjoyable practice session
It was a balmy evening in Herne Bay, as a handful of intrepid Daito-ryu advocates studied into the night.. Everyone is really looking forward to next weekend. Bring it on!
The inevitable….
What fantastic training
A thoroughly enjoyable study group session tonight. Considerable progress was made. Then we had beer. Such lovely people. Lee couldn’t make it. Thankfully his dogi was able to stand in for him.
Great training
This seems very familiar
Training this Friday night
The next Daito-ryu Study Group Session is 7pm, Friday 8th October in Swalecliffe, Kent. If you would like to attend, get in touch and introduce yourself.
Next training 1st Oct
Oh how I’ve missed these guys
What a splendid way to spend a Friday evening. To meet up with some wonderful friends, and crush them.
At last!
We did it. We finally, after such a long hiatus, have been able to resume study group practice. It was so great to see everyone. Nice new dojo too! Here’s to much more Daito-Ryu.
Ok we were “back”, but now we WILL be “back back”
In light of the government’s announcement to extend the lifting of restrictions for 4 weeks, we will now resume training in late July instead. We will announce the specifics soon…..
We’re back baby!
First Study Group meeting back after Covid restrictions is 2nd July 2021. And we have a dojo…. Unit 2, Oyster Bay,Estuary CloseSt Augustine Business Park,SwalecliffeCT5 2QJ If you would like to try Daito-Ryu with us, get in touch via the contact page.
Takeda video via new technology
This new DeepNostalgia from MyHeritage is very impressive. I thought I’d give it a whirl with none other than Takeda Sokaku himself.
Seminar Feedback by Rich Hobbs
This was my second time attending a seminar with Howard Popkin and the only disappointment I came away with was that the time between each opportunity is as long as it is… Howard has a confident yet quiet delivery and whilst he is friendly, open and safe in his delivery…
Aiki Connections by Ben Forrest
Training with Howard Popkin Sensei provides a unique insight into Daito Ryu and some of its elements which translate into Aikido. His techniques are are incredibly soft – almost effortless – and yet they are impossible to resist. Although this is infuriating at first, Howard’s detailed explanation and step-by-step demonstration…
Seminar weekend
Today would have been the first day of Aiki Connections 7. We will get our weekend soon, just not yet. Stay safe everyone.
Aiki Connections 7 – Postponed
Hi all, Just to let you know we have postponed our annual Aiki Connections seminar for May 2020, which we will reschedule. We have already been in touch with everyone who had already booked on the weekend. Please watch this space for future announcements. Please stay safe. Our best wishes…
Interesting Article from Aikido Journal
This article on Police Arrest techniques adapted from Daito-ryu is very interesting. Considering how we practise kamae in our branch of Daito-ryu, I was particularly interested in this, the 8th Footnote… “The insistence of Hisa on hanmi (半身, lit.: “half of one’s body”) is interesting since it is not usually prominently…
More suitable meme choice
It’s Aiki-jujutsu 😉 Image credit Griffinisland on Reddit. Well done to them, great job!
Not just a little leap forward…
You expect occasionally to take a little leap forward in your understanding of things. What you don’t plan for, is to have your mind blown open by new possibility and instead end up realising that what you thought you knew just wasn’t anywhere near the whole picture at all. This…
Aiki Connections 2020 Places Sold
Fantastic news, we have sold half of the available places on the 7th annual Aiki Connections weekend in May, with Howard Popkn and Joe Brogna. If you would like to participate in the most fun weekend on the calendar, we advise you book your spot sharpish. Book your place at…
Required reading : TSYR History and Technique
Before I fortunate enough to start training Daito-Ryu Ginjukai in 2014, I was an avid practitioner of Aikido alone. Through my good friend Neil Saunders, in 2009 I was lucky enough to meet Robert Mustard of Yoshinkan Aikido, a Canadian Aikido teacher who had been famously depicted in Robert Twiggers…
Lineage
Misinformation
5 years
It is five years since the passing of Okamoto Seigo. We have to thank him for all he did to openly spread awareness of Daito-Ryu Aiki around the world, and for passing his skills to our teachers so we can all continue to benefit from his memory. We will do…
What are the basic techniques of Daito–ryu?
Shihan Certification & Hiden Ogi scroll awarded to Okamoto Seigo by Horikawa Kodo What are the basic techniques of Daito–ryu? Okamoto: These are basics that were created by Shisho (Kodo) in Hokkaido. In our case we have changed them a little, but basically speaking they are the same. If one…
A Very familiar sentiment, by Dave Remnant
My own martial arts training started with Shaolin kung fu, then jujitsu. So since starting training in Aikido, my biggest battle has been with acquiring softness and trying not to use brute strength in techniques. As one part of my early investigations into aikido I investigated the source of Aikido,…
An island of good ‘Aiki’ by Neil Saunders
When I was younger, I had a very good friend who I spent more hours training with than I can remember, and thanks to him I carry some of the injuries I do today and likewise for him I would imagine. We were stupid and probably pushed close to the…
A Memorable Event by Laurence McGrandles
A two-day seminar with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna. As martial artists we tend to walk a fairly similar path. We try out a style, find it is a good fit for where we are at that time and we either stick with it, or as our life and needs…
The best experience, by Stuart Turner
Aikido folk often pay lip-service to the fact that their art derives from Daito-ryu, but not many get the chance to actually train in aikido’s parent art. I was fortunate enough to be able to share a mat with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna at the Aiki Connections seminar recently,…
What is Daitō-ryū?
Reposting this article for the benefit of our Study Group members (and anyone else who might be interested of course). Last year I wrote the following article for the British Aikido Association magazine “Shizentai”. The intended audience is mainly Tomiki Kenji lineage aikido folk. I very much like the name…
Final flourish
For our last Herne Bay Study Group session of 2019, our intrepid band of merry Daito-ryu practitioners spent an evening studying kotegaeshi with a focus on Aiki sage. Genuine progress is very noticeable, and I couldn’t be happier with how the group is going. My thanks to everyone involved, and…
Aiki Connections VII, tickets on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for Aiki Connections VII, 30th-31st May 2020. Visit our Event Page to book your place.
Fantastic training
What a great night we had on Friday in Herne Bay, with considerable progress being achieved.
Required reading – George Ledyard @ Aikido Journal
This interview with George Ledyard is well worth a read over at the Aikido Journal website. It is entirely applicable to Daito-ryu, which George mentions a few times with regard to training methodology and skill transmission. The Role of Ukemi in Aikido – Part 1 The Role of Ukemi in…
Herne bay study group tonight
Looking forward to seeing our fantastic group in Herne Bay tonight, to diligent training and to concentrating super hard as always. And no we aren’t at this level (yet).
West Country abound
It was “Study group on tour” shenanigans this weekend.Will and Tom joined me for a weekends Daito-Ryu training in Bristol and Torquay.As is becoming the tradition, Will kindly brought some booze with him which obviously we had to taste in advance.Daughter made some crafty Daito-Ryu gifts to take with us.And…
Love these guys
Another super enjoyable study group session in Herne Bay, with much progress on the eternal journey towards softness being made.
Excellent Study Group Night
An awesome bunch of budoka came together yesterday in Herne Bay for more enjoyable Daito-Ryu endeavours.
Rob’s feedback, by Rob Ayre
Some more Aiki Connections feedback, this time courtesy of Rob Ayre. “The line between Aikido and Daito-Ryu is fast disappearing for me. Everything I want from Aikido exists in Daito-Ryu. The subtle and soft movements with devastating effects are worthy of sincere study. To be unable to move or to…
“It’s up to you…”
Back fresh from my week in the USA, which included the three day Daito-Ryu Ginjukai Honbu Weekend (among other things) on Long Island, New York. I had a fantastic time, and learned so much. It is great to train and benefit from the experience of so many other Ginjukai members.…
Cracking night in Herne Bay
Last night, all eyes were on Herne Bay seafront as our intrepid gang of Daito-Ryu enthusiasts met once again for more action. We were joined for the first time by our friends Lionel, Lisa and Mark from Essex. Fresh from their first experience of Daito-Ryu at Aiki Connections 2019, they…
Some great feedback from Stu Marshall
Some cracking feedback courtesy of Stu Marshall…. What can I say that hasn’t already been said multiple times with greater eloquence and insight? Not much. It’s all true what people say. Every bit of it. Unless it’s anything other than superlative, in which case it’s an outrageous fabrication. Fake News.…
Pro shots from Aiki Connections 2019
Will’s seminar review – by William Greene
I was given an opportunity to learn about Daito-Ryu courtesy of Phil Eyers when I joined Genryukan dojo. I was interested in Aikido for being able to throw your opponents without using force compared to other popular martial arts. I never knew a style softer than aikido existed until I…
Seminar feedback by Lionel de Nobrega
Some more feedback, this time courtesy of Lionel de Nobrega; You expect occasionally to take a little leap forward in your understanding of things. What you don’t plan for, is to have your mind blown open by new possibility and instead end up realising that what you thought you knew…
Weekend feedback, by Paul Conway
Some feedback from the weekend, courtesy of Paul Conway…. “Back from a weekend of training with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna, the leaders of the Ginjukai school of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. I think you would struggle to find a better seminar than those led by Howard and Joe. They both…
Weekend thoughts
I just got back from the airport run, and am in full on adrenaline dump mode. I just wanted to get a few thoughts down about the weekend. This was the sixth consecutive Aiki Connections seminar. Each year Howard and Joe have attracted an increasing number of participants to the…
Okamoto Seigo interview part 2
What an amazing Friday night
Enjoyable practice session
It was a balmy evening in Herne Bay, as a handful of intrepid Daito-ryu advocates studied into the night.. Everyone is really looking forward to next weekend. Bring it on!
