Boulder Aikikai Spring 2001 Seminar with Sensei Rick Stickles and Hiroshi Ikeda
April 26-29, 2001

Contributed by Steve Hlwaty*

"There are nine and sixty ways of constructing tribal lays, and every single one of them is right," wrote Rudyard Kipling. The message that resonates from these words had proven to be the unifying theme that pervaded this year's 2001 Boulder Aikikai Spring Seminar.

During the introduction, Ikeda sensei explained how each of us needs to discover our own Aikido. To discover that which works best with one's individual body, mind, and spirit, Ikeda sensei suggested that we train, not only under the tutelage of one's own sensei, but also with other sensei from other schools and styles. Acknowledging Stickles sensei's powerful movements, Ikeda sensei invited all present to allow their Aikido to grow and be challenged.

Ikeda Sensei conducted the first hour's training. After our initial warm-ups, we practiced tenkan and irimi movements before entering into what would become one of the night's most central themes: connection. By way of sumiotoshi, Ikeda sensei demonstrated the importance of connecting to uke's center. This connection is vital to unbalancing uke. Without connection, there is no unbalancing, and consequently, no technique.

While Richard Stickles sensei began the night's second hour also with tenkan movements, his approach to tenkan was new to many. Stickles sensei's slow-moving and deliberate tenkan demonstrations served a fitting illustration to Ikeda sensei's earlier preface to the seminar as an opportunity to understand different movements. Stickles sensei emphasized the importance of grounding oneself by demonstrating clear and deliberate movements both by nage and uke. Upon grabbing nage's wrist in a purposeful and honest manner, albeit slow and deliberate, both uke and nage could benefit from a certain state of presence and point of contact awareness offered by these slower movements. With awareness comes control. And once this awareness is achieved then Aikido may be applied to any variety of situations. We explored these different application opportunities in jiyu waza shomenuchi and katate dori, as well as in suburi training. Again stressing the point of contact, Stickles Sensei referred to the concept of "sticky blades." By understanding the point of contact between two-crossed bokken, we come to an awareness of connection to center, ours, as well as our partner's. This connection serves as the portal through which we experience technique. With the opening night of the 2001 Boulder Aikikai Spring Seminar coming to a close, Ikeda and Stickles sensei had complimented each other well, both in word and deed. And we had the rest of the weekend before us to benefit from their relationship.

Friday's training, morning
Based on the Tibetan sitting meditation of trek-chöd, Stickles Sensei invited all Aikidoka to participate in sitting mediation before Friday morning's formal keiko. Sensei would later extend the invitation for the rest of the seminar. Friday morning's sitting meditation would prove a fitting beginning to the morning's theme: sit, cut, throw.

Beginning the morning class, Stickles Sensei opted for an abbreviated version of his earlier sitting meditation session. One of the values associated with meditation, according to Stickles sensei, is to develop one's total consciousness of oneself and one's surroundings. With total consciousness comes a freedom of moving with full intent that allows for Aikido technique to blend with universal laws of nature.

The second third of the class focussed on proper vertical alignment and structural integrity while training in Aiki ken. Stickles sensei continued by carrying the issue of vertical alignment into its spiritual principles. Interpreting the goals of O Sensei's Takemusu Aikido, Stickles sensei believes that while Takemusu Aikido is undoubtedly concerned with the human connection, expressed in the relationship between uke and nage and occurring on what is commonly referred to as the "horizontal plane," the ultimate goal of Takemusu Aikido is to perfect the "vertical plane." The vertical plane is that which arises through the connection of ourselves-body, mind, and spirit-to the earth and the heavens. Stickles sensei pointed out that when the vertical plane is accomplished, the horizontal plane, by default, is also accomplished. Total harmony with nature and the universe results from the realization of these two planes. Having evoked an air of spirituality, Stickles sensei led his instruction to taijutsu (empty-handed techniques).

In regard to the relative aspects of Aikido, Stickles Sensei spoke of the uke/nage relationship. Stickles Sensei suggested that there is a point in any relationship wherein mutual energies work in harmony with each other. On the other hand, there is also a point when a relationship no longer works. At this point, it's necessary for the two energies involved to separate and each go its own way. In exploring this relationship, Stickles sensei asked that we be sincere in our ukemi and not fall for our nage, trusting in the technique to work. Stressing proper vertical alignment, we practiced shomenuchi and kosa dori ikkyo while moving our bodies with full intent into the attack.

In the end, what Stickles sensei demonstrated wasn't a three-tiered approach to training-sit, cut, throw-but rather, a single approach whose parts share common threads with each other, making up a greater whole. To illustrate, we compared our grip of the bokken to Aikido's first teaching, ikkyo. There is both a power (left hand) and a lead (right hand) aspect in the grip of the bokken; likewise, the two aspects present themselves again in ikkyo. Nage's hand closest to uke's tegatana (hand-blade) serves to lead uke's movement, while nage's hand nearest uke's shoulder corresponds to power. Keeping in mind the three aspects of today's training and exploring non-attachment to technique, Stickles sensei ended Friday morning's session with jiyu waza.

Friday afternoon
Ikeda sensei led that afternoon's training. Developing on the ideas that were explored earlier in the day, Ikeda sensei stressed the importance of movement. While Stickles sensei had asked for sincerity from uke when allowing for the technique to operate correctly, Ikeda sensei placed the burden of responsibility on nage. Ikeda sensei stressed that it is not uke's role to move for nage; nage must first connect to uke's center and then move uke. This is a dynamic movement, however, as nage must always be conscious of his or her connection or lack thereof. In short, in order to stay connected nage must also move with the technique. Movement that begins from the hips and the hara is central to the technique working. When nage stays connected, there are an infinite number of techniques that can be applied. Ikeda sensei suggested we move with "360ƒ mind," that we move freely in mind, body, and spirit when applying a technique.

Delving deeper into this idea, Ikeda sensei invited us to explore the notion of love as it relates to movement. In its purest sense, Aikido is love and strives to attain love in a variety of ways. To illustrate this point, Ikeda sensei had us consider love's strength over the weaknesses of force. More to the point, to achieve love, nage must move with uke's attack and not just face the attack head on. Ikeda sensei pointed out that sometimes a slight movement-a turn of the wrist, a step to the side-is all it takes to achieve a more harmonious outcome to confrontation. By moving, we round out the edges that present themselves during head-on collisions. Combined with the shape of the spiral, this movement is a most effective force against a malcontented one. Head-on collisions are constructed of angles and are typically solved with force and strength. With a beaming smile, Ikeda sensei was wise to impart to his students that "where there are angles, there is pain." For those of us with lesser degrees of force and strength-and that means you-we need to round out our edges in our movements, thereby, converting energy into love, the conquering dynamic to any confrontation. Moving from the physical to the mental aspects of training, Ikeda sensei also suggested that we must not train with a mind that is angled, but rather, train with a mind that is open to changes.

Friday night
Friday night's training was led alternately by Stickles and Ikeda sensei. Stickles sensei stressed the importance of moving through a technique. To illustrate his point, Stickles sensei offered an analogy of a runner in a race. As a one-time long-distance runner himself, Stickles sensei could well identify with a runner's intent on crossing the finish line. The goal of a runner isn't so much reaching the finish line, as it is breaking through the ribbon to the other side. The point speaks to our need to fully immerse ourselves in any technique. Oftentimes, this immersion is related in terms of extension. By way of spiraling irimi movements and atemi to the face, we explored this idea using ushiro and kokyunage techniques.

Ikeda sensei led the latter half of Friday night's training. By way of ikkyo, iriminage, and tenchinage, Ikeda sensei continued with a discussion on movement. Sensei addressed the importance of entering deeply to the side of uke. This deep entry allows nage the ability to control the technique from a safe place. Once nage is safely behind uke, nage can then move in such a way as to effect uke's center.

Saturday afternoon's training
While still focusing on movement and connection through iriminage, kaitennage, and ikkyo, Ikeda sensei introduced a number of other different themes to Saturday afternoon's session. One such theme included nage's approach and eventual application of a technique in regard to body awareness. For instance, Ikeda sensei pointed out the importance of remaining calm and relaxed when approaching uke's attack. Sensei added, however, that it is important for nage, at the point of contact, or "touch time," that nage receive uke's intent and become "strong." Often, we hear sensei describe this instance as "catch it." Once nage exhibits this kind of strength, catching uke's center and effecting his or her balance, nage can then become relaxed again and continue with the technique. All this, sensei pointed out, takes place within a fraction of a second. Ikeda sensei admitted that this description best serves his understanding of this principle. Likewise, sensei went on to encourage us to find the descriptions that best work for us, in short, to find the Aikido that best fits our bodies, minds, and spirits.

In finding the Aikido that works best for you, Ikeda sensei suggested that we take as much ukemi from as many teachers and students as possible. Taking ukemi offers one way to learn Aikido form. Moreover, sensei advised that we train with as many instructors of as many different styles. "You are not birds in a cage. I do not feed you," Ikeda sensei quipped to his students, only to add in typical comic fashion, "I don't know why you come back." With that, Ikeda sensei ended his class and offered the mat to Kei Izawa sensei, chief instructor at Aikikai Tanshinjuku Colorado in the town of Lafayette.

This was truly a special event for those attending the seminar. Along with the insights into Aikido that Richard Stickles sensei and Hiroshi Ikeda sensei were offering, now we would be treated to yet another talented and well-respected sensei. With thirty years of Aikido experience, Izawa sensei led the second half of Saturday afternoon's class by examining what he understood to be the three basic elements of Aikido: tenkan, irimi, and tenshin. When all three elements are combined, the results lead to a more powerful and accelerated technique. Izawa sensei's powerful and big movements gave clear understanding to the points he was making.

After training that night, many enjoyed the dinner at Sawadee's, a Thai restaurant near the dojo before moving on to late night revelry in Boulder's bars.

Sunday morning
On Sunday morning Stickles sensei started the final day of the seminar by returning to the themes of structural integrity and training with complete awareness. We began with mirrored jo and bokken practice. The point to learning kumi jo and kumi tachi kata, Stickles sensei believes, is to understand the structure of Aikido. Once the kata and form of techniques have been absorbed into the body, mind, and spirit, the aikidoka must throw them away while retaining the learned structural integrity. This liberation of sorts extends also to the liberation of the intellect, allowing one to train more effectively in the present moment and with complete consciousness. To illustrate Aikido as absolute liberation, Stickles sensei had us perform jiyu waza. To make his point, Stickles sensei offered that free movement still demands structural integrity. What we are liberated from are the "structural logistics of kata." For Stickles sensei the embodiment of Aikido structure is best represented by the bokken, while the jo represents freedom of movement. Once acquired, this freedom of movement becomes an indomitable force. To illustrate, Stickles sensei asked that we perform jo munetsuki kokyunage. In the administering of this technique, Stickles sensei pointed out how nage's rear hand on the jo, along with proper hip movement, can project the energy through uke when throwing.

Ikeda sensei led instruction for the second half of Sunday morning's class. Returning to his earlier points regarding nage timing the approach of uke's intention, Ikeda sensei offered that moving slowly while training is okay. What's to be remembered, however, is that "Aikido movement is one movement." We explored aikido as one movement by way of iriminage and ikkyo techniques. At one point Sensei suggested that nage be like a needle in a compass. As a needle in a compass will invariably point north, so too should nage's connection point toward uke's center. During the course of regular training, then, we need to be conscious of how we move, not moving incrementally, but rather, moving fluidly with a constant connection to uke's center.

The seminar drew to a close with both Stickles sensei and Ikeda sensei acknowledging their mutual appreciation and respect for one another. The feeling of sincere gratitude was felt throughout the dojo on this very special and heart-felt coming together of the USAF and the ASU. The fact that this year's seminar drew the most attendance by Boulder Aikikai students alone-88 all tolled-served as fitting testimony to our support of the coming together of these two schools of Aikido.

In the end, one of the overriding principles to emerge from the weekend is that we Aikidoka communicate by way of a single language. While Aikidoka of different schools and styles may speak this language to dialectical degrees, the simple truth remains, as Richard Strozzi Heckler has succinctly stated in his In Search of the Warrior Spirit, that "in the relationship between uke and nage, . . . we find a philosophy of language." We thank Richard Stickles sensei and Hiroshi Ikeda sensei for enabling a mutual understanding to arise through the study of this language. What this year's 2001 Boulder Aikikai Spring Seminar has left us with, then, is no less the obligation but to spread the word.

Thank you Jun Akiyama for your critical editorial eye.

*Steve Hlwaty began his training at Boulder Aikikai 2.5 years ago. Among writing and editing a variety of articles, Stephen is also the author of Mountain Bike America Colorado and the soon to be released Mountain Bike America Denver/Boulder.