Bokken instruction

Learning to become one with your bokken takes a lot of time and repetitive cuts
To improve your bokken training. You must attend classes regularly or at least practice regularly as consistency is the key timing distance and awareness is vital to bokken training
When in your dojo, you must use a rack for your bokken or Jo, as this is the proper place to keep them, out of the way of danger, to show respect, and for tidiness. Also as they are wood to stop them warping out of shape, which happens a lot of the time when there are hot and cold spells in dojo's. Performing the happo giri is a good way to become one with your bokken, also becoming aware of spatial awareness is very important to training in bokken's, there are actually eight cuts to the happo giri the ninth cut is a return to the first position, each position gives you the correct distance from tip of bokken to the center of your posture telling you where you could make a strike, but also where you... also are vulnerable,the happo giri can be learned in quite a short time, that is just the basic movements, then you begin to learn and understand the flow of the bokken and how with each of the eight cuts How you defend yourself in a circle.
When transporting your bokken, you must do so with it fully covered, as you move it from dojo to dojo or from your home to a dojo as is in most countries It is against the law to carry an open weapon, which can be used readily. You must have a bag or a container. Nothing which allows you easy access to your bokken or Jo or tanto. You'll gain a great workout with the bokken. It will improve your health and mobility, and even your grip, which will aid with your overall circulation
Always check your bokken's for splinter's after training as loose pieces of wood can be very dangerous to the eye your's or your opponents, always keep them clean and remove excess sweat from the(Tsuka) handle.

Train Hard Train Focused Train Safe.

The many styles of the bokken

The many styles of the bokken

Happo giri with the bokken is a very useful and meditational exercise
To improve your bokken training. You must attend classes regularly or at least practice regularly as consistency is the key timing distance and awareness is vital to bokken training
When using a partner for training with bokken's. Make sure first of all about safety, ensure you find the correct distance and timing, never train at full speed As this is too dangerous ,work with your partner to make sure of all the angles, and again do not make full hard contact as the cheaper bokken's do shatter and splinter.Training with a partner in bokken's is a good way to enhance your reactions, but be aware of the increased possibility for accidents using a bokken, remembering these are not just for training and were actually used as weapons. Always remember that no two bokken's are the same, some bokken's are longer. Some are heavier. So when using a stranger's bokken, be prepared to adapt as your timing will be out.

Bokken's in aikido are used primarily to understand distance timing and awareness to techniques You'll gain a great workout with the bokken. It will improve your health and mobility, and even your grip, which will aid with your overall circulation
When you're finished training with your bokken. Please return it to the rack for safekeeping so can afford no one any danger or mishaps

Train Hard Train Focused Train Safe.

Aikido in portsmouth

Aikido in portsmouth is really taking off, with the new site we have communication with all the portsmouth aikido students around, it is showing that it is a popular site for aikido in portsmouth,
the bokkentips site is currently helping to feed the aikido in portsmouth site with bokken extracts from aikido related articles,
New students have been finding us through aikido in portsmouth web site as we had limited advertising before.

A New site from me on our Aikido

We have just created a New site for portsmouth aikido uk, the club is Called Kaizen Aikido
the Address is www.aikidoinportsmouth.com please check out some of the info.

My Ebook insiders guide to bokkens is still taking more time than i expected.
So if you would like notice of the launch please contact me on Tonyday@bokkentips.com

Once again the writing and compelation of bokkens in aikido take up all my extra time, not including teaching and my own daily work.

thanks for your Patients’ to training well in bokkens.

Another sample from the book!!

happo giri
(Eight directional cut)


The Happo Giri is used to understand spatial awareness and to use the bokken in all the directional cuts using the correct breath and posture.
This is sometimes considered a meditational exercise as well as a connection to the bokken; it can take, using all the attributes quite a lot of mental and physical effort, so do not underestimate its Importance.

getting closer to the finish, stay with me?

Excerpts from the book?

Etiquette:
Making the use of a rei (bow) equals trust, respect. This is done in offering as pictured here, and also receiving the bokken you return the bow. When taking from a rack (Offer to the shrine first as you would if entering a dojo) trust dictates whether you offer the bokken with the handle to the right side (your left, this is their sword hand) if you do not trust someone the handle is on your right.
Most dojos offer with the trust and respect, or common sense is, I do not trust this person, so do not give them a weapon to kill you with?

Beginners drills:
Try to maintain a straight cut and not to let the bokken wander to far from your centre line.
Start your cutting over your right shoulder at a 45 degree angel to your centre.
then return the bokken back along the same path travel around your head (again not more than 45 degrees) to the left shoulder and again cut to your centre, then repeat the process for about 50 cuts (your shoulders and your arms will ache, but hey that’s a workout )

Another step Forward!

This is a quick post to let you know that the book has moved further toward its finish?
again with the help of my students, jon manwaring, and stephen arnell.
some of the last pictures have been shot and are being added as you read this.

keep looking and training

Tony day

www.bokkentips.com

The Ebook moves Forward

I have just finished another Chapter in my Ebook the insiders knowledge to Bokkens in Aikido,
This book has taken a lot of personal Time, with the help of my students Jon Mainwaring, and my 1st Instructor Stephen Arnell.
The time given to this project with my friends and student have been a great help in the making of this Ebook.

The Training with Bokkens is a rewarding lesson, so please be patient for just a little while longer.

Best Regards
Tony day.

This Blog is to cover the new aspect of training with Bokkens in Aikido.

The New E-book "Discover the Insiders Knowledege to Bokkens in Aikid0" is almost Finished and Ready for Downloading.

Covering all aspects of Bokken Training From:

1. History and Etiquette

2. How to hold and wield a Bokken

3. Left and Right footwork

4. Beginners drills

5. The 12 cuts

6. Defending with the bokken

7. ATTACKING with the bokken

8. Advanced partner drills

9. The happo giri (Eight directional cut)

10. Do’s and don’ts

So please Keep your Eyes open for the launch of my Book, as i am sure will help the beginer, or the lone Trainer at home or even with a partner.

www.Bokkentips.com

Best Regards Tony Day (3rd Dan Black Belt)

contact me on Tonyday@bokkentips.com