Tony Blomert - An Open Secret: A Students Handbook for Learning Aikido Techniques of Self-Defense and the Aiki Way

AN OPEN SECRET

A Students Handbook forLearning Aikido Techniques of

Self-Defense and the AikiWay

Tony M. Blomert

A&E Blomert Enterprises, LLC

1106 W. Park, Suite 127

Livingston, MT59047

Copyright 2014, Tony M. Blomert

Published by A&E Blomert Enterprises, LLC

ISBN: 9781310209796

SmashwordsVersion

A&E BlomertEnterprises, LLC

1106 W. Park, Suite 127

Livingston, MT59047

www.aikidotoday.com

An Open Secret/Tony M.Blomert

1st edition

An Open Secret contains material protected under Internationaland Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprintor use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may bereproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronicor mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning or byany information storage and retrieval system without expresswritten permission from the author.

This eBook is licensed foryour personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or givenaway to other people. If you would like to share this book withanother person, please purchase an additional copy for eachrecipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, orit was not purchased for your use only, then please return toSmashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respectingthe hard work of this author.

DISCLAIMER:

Please note that the publisher and author ofthis instructional book are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any mannerwhatsoever for any injury that may result from practicing thetechniques and/or following the instructions given within.

Martial arts training canbe dangerous to you and to others if not practiced safely. Ifyoure in doubt as to how to proceed, or whether your practice issafe, please consult with a trained martial arts instructor beforebeginning. Since the physical activities described herein may betoo strenuous in nature for some readers, its also essential thata physician be consulted prior to training.

Best efforts have been used in preparingthis material which is presented solely within this book foreducational purposes. The author and publisher make norepresentations or warranties of any kind, and assume noliabilities of any kind with respect to the accuracy orcompleteness of the contents.

While all attempts have been made to verifyinformation provided in this publication, the publisher assumes noresponsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation ofthe subject matter herein. Any perceived slights of specificpersons, peoples, or organizations are unintentional.

Every effort has been made to identify allindividuals depicted in photographs and illustrations, and toobtain their permission for publication. Any omissions areunintentional. If you are depicted and not properly identifiedplease contact the publisher for us to obtain appropriateauthorization.

Neither the author nor thepublisher shall be held liable or responsible to any person orentity with respect to any injury or incidental or consequentialdamages caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly orindirectly, by the information or strategies contained herein, asthe advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable foryour own unique situation .

Book Layout and Editing by Mary Jo Stresky, The Write MoJoLiterary and Research Services (www.thewritemojo.com)

Photographs by Eva Szabo

Photo Models: Aaron Anderes, Kelly Goebel,Wells Nishimoto, Rajesh Patel, Joshua Puskarich, Emmanuel Santos,Satoru Sato

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why the Title, An OpenSecret?

My Purpose for WritingThis Book

How to Use ThisBook

Self-Defense, PhysicalFitness and Spiritual Enrichment

Variations in Japanese andWestern Manners

Bowing

When to Bow

Standing Formal Bow

Seated Bow

Sitting andStanding

Steps to Sitting in Seiza

Variations

Alternative Sitting Methods

Knee Walking( Shikko )

The Line-Up

The Class

The FormalClosing

StudentResponsibilities

Classroom Etiquette

Coming to Class

Leaving During Class

Bowing

Respecting the Shomen

Respecting Your Fellow Students

How to AddressPeople

Dojo Layout: Joza andShimoza (front and back)

History of theUniform

How to Care for theDogi

How to Fold theDogi

The Hakama

How to Wear a Hakama

How to Care for a Hakama

How to Properly Fold a Hakama

Weaponry and Eye-HandCoordination

Jo Short Staff

How to Select a Jo Staff

Bokken

How to Design a Custom Bokken

The Style of the Bokken

Other Common TrainingTools

Shoto

Hanbo or Tanto

Suburit

Shinai Take

How to Care for a WoodTraining Weapon

Sanding

Oiling

Storage

The Methodology of WeaponHandling

Start and End of Class

Handling a Weapon Exchange

Bowing with aWeapon

Standing Bow

Seated Bow

Rank System(s)

Ranks and Titles

ExaminationEtiquette

Examination Partner

Seating

Examination Bowing Etiquette

Beginning of the Examination

Conclusion of the Examination

Receiving a Promotion Certificate

Ki Energy

Training withOthers

IndividualTraining

Tip 1: TheMiddle

Tip 2: TakeUkemi

Tip 3: Training with theDemonstrations Uke

Tip 4: Mental SnapshotMethod

Tip 5: Nine Times Slow andOne Time Fast

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PREFACE

W hile seated on the floor in total stillness, I am filled witha sense of tranquility. An ikebana arrangement sits graceful against the rich woodpaneled backdrop of the shomen . A portrait of the founder(OSensei ), appearing simultaneouslyserene and stern, seems to be focused solely on me.

Glancing just off center at the display ofweaponry, I realize the simplicity of the room is very deceiving.These surroundings have hundreds of years of tradition, and obviousand hidden meanings are everywhere.

This appointed time andplace to demonstrate what Id learned after years of study formy dan exam hasbeen years in coming. I contemplate the task at hand, and thenclear my mind of all thought. There is only breath. My breath --lifes breath.

Breathe ... blink ...breathe.

The sweltering air has grown heavy withhumidity, and I realize that Im in a different time and place.

Its mid-summer in feudalJapan in the year 1629. Im standing onone side of a rope and plank bridge spanning a treacherous riverbelow. As I begin crossing over the single person-wide path, I seea man standing on the opposite end whos also beginning to crossover.

We have instantrecognition. We are aite (opponents), and are both in samurai dress with daisho ( katana and w akizashi ). Sunlight glints off thehighly polished steel blades of my swords. Each receiving onethousand blessings from the kami , they had been forged and honedwhile the smithy made the offerings.

The drama unfolds as weboth continue our paths across the bridge. Neither of us can orwill yield by turning back, and therefore only one will crossalive. There is only one way for matched warriors to achievevictory: The first to take thespace!

Breathe ...blink.

The air feels cool on myskin as my mind returns to the present. The noisy chatter of overfifty students engulfs the room, and they go silent as the panelof Shihan enter.The quiet is broken by the calling of my name for the examination.The next hour is a replay of that fateful moment in 1629, but thistime without any bloodshed.