1/24稽古（江田島市武道館）

　江田島にも雪が降りました。この冬一番の寒さがきています。寒すぎてまずは道場を１０周してから稽古しましたが、畳が冷たくて、ツルツルに滑ります。みんな稽古をおやすみするのかなと思いきや、みなさん寒いとは言いながらちゃんこられて素晴らしいです。合気道は生活の一部だと思っている私の気持ちが伝わったのかなぁと嬉しく感じました。さて今日は

１合気体操

２足捌き

３受け身

４気合わせ正面打ちの鍛錬

５気合わせ正面打ち一教表・裏

６相半身片手取り四方投げ

７両手取り天地投げ表

８両手取り天地投げ裏

をしました。そろそろ昇級のことも思慮に入れて、稽古をしなければ、審査前に焦ってやることになりますので、やったことのある内容も含めて審査を見据えた稽古をしました。やはり天地投げは少し難しく感じました。天と地に分かれる手の動きをしながら足捌きもありますので、苦戦する気持ちがよくわかります。また繰り返しやっていくことで少しずつ自然体でできるようになればいいなぁと思っています。

Etajima also experienced snowfall. The coldest day of winter has arrived. It was so cold that, before training, I walked around the dojo ten times to warm up. The tatami mats were cold and slippery, making it a bit challenging. I thought some might decide to skip training due to the cold, but everyone showed up, braving the chilly weather. I felt delighted, thinking that perhaps my belief that Aikido is a part of life had resonated with them.

Now, for today’s training:

1. Aikido warm-up exercises
2. Footwork
3. Ukemi (receiving techniques)
4. Practice for front strikes with a focus on harmonizing with the opponent’s energy
5. Front strike with harmonization, first teaching, omote (forward turn) and ura (backward turn)
6. Aiki nagare from a half-body single-hand grab, four-direction throw
7. Ryote-dori (two-hand grab) tenchi nage (heaven and earth throw), omote
8. Ryote-dori tenchi nage, ura

We began considering the upcoming promotions, as practicing with that in mind is necessary to avoid last-minute rush and stress before the examination. We covered a variety of techniques, including those already familiar, in preparation for the examination. The heaven and earth throw felt a bit challenging today. It involves separating the hands into heaven and earth while also incorporating footwork. I empathize with the struggle, and I hope that with repeated practice, everyone can gradually perform it with a natural flow.