November SMAA California Seminar (4)

H. E. Davey taught a Saigo Ryu technique called Katate Tori Aiki Nage. As students became more proficient in the technique, he showed how the size of the movement could be reduced to result in a more difficult, but much faster, throw. At an advanced level, aiki nage requires only minimal movement to knock an opponent to the ground. It is a sophisticated technique that allows the neutralization of an attack without the use of great strength and without producing severe injury to the attacker.

Want to learn more about traditional Japanese jujutsu as depicted above? Visit www.smaa-hq.com. The SMAA has a number of prominent teachers of authentic Japanese jujutsu in the SMAA Jujutsu Division, including Stephen Fabian Sensei (Hontai Yoshin Ryu), Kevin Heard Sensei (Saigo Ryu), Nicklaus Suino Sensei (Sato Ryu), Mr. Wayne Muromoto (Takeuchi Ryu), and others.

November SMAA California Seminar (3)

More images of the second SMAA California Seminar. Besides the chief instructor for the seminar, H. E. Davey, the following SMAA Senior Advisors were in attendance:

* Kevin Heard Sensei
* Ohsaki Jun Sensei
* Ann Kameoka Sensei

November SMAA California Seminar (2)

The photos above are from the second SMAA event held in California in 2009. Both SMAA California Seminars were part of the successful SMAA 15th Anniversary Seminar Series. The November seminar was held in conjunction with the 28th anniversary of H. E. Davey's Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts in Albany.

In addition to the meditation instruction pictured above, students studied a Saigo Ryu technique called Katate Tori Aiki Nage. In aiki nage, the opponent's mind is lead in such a way that they lose their balance and fall. If done properly, this can be accomplished without the use of pain or leverage. Timing and momentum, however, are needed.

November SMAA California Seminar (1)

In November 2009, the second SMAA event in California took place. It was hosted by the San Francisco Bay Area-based Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts (www.senninfoundation.com). The chief instructor was H. E. Davey, SMAA Jujutsu Division seventh dan.

Instruction each day began with training in the Shin-shin-toitsu-do system of Japanese yoga. More specifically, students studied one of the forms of sitting meditation taught in Shin-shin-toitsu-do. Through learning to coordinate the mind and body via meditation, participants had an opportunity to experience deeper levels of calmness, relaxation, and concentration.

Later, Mr. Davey presented classes in the Saigo Ryu system of martial arts. Training focused on one of the Saigo Ryu aiki nage techniques, which allowed students to throw an opponent without struggling and without the use of great physical strength. Mr. Davey also explained how many of the principles of mind and body unification that were outlined in his Japanese yoga instruction could be applied to throwing an attacker with aiki nage.

More of the SMAA Europe Seminar (3)

Students with more advanced training in swordsmanship were allowed to practice the Nakamura Ryu techniques that they'd been learning using full-contact. Fortunately kendo armor was provided to protect participants from injury.

The excellent photos in the last three posts were taken by American SMAA member William Kelch Sensei, who traveled to London with other American members to participate in the SMAA Europe Seminar.

More of the SMAA Europe Seminar (2)

At the SMAA Europe Seminar, John Evans Sensei offered instruction in Nakamura Ryu battodo, a traditional form of Japanese swordsmanship. Evans Sensei is a member of the SMAA Board of Advisors and a seventh degree black belt in Nakamura Ryu.

Want to learn more about the use of the Nippon-to, the "Japanese sword?" The SMAA has several top teachers of iaido and kenjutsu in its ranks. Leading authorities like John Evans Sensei (Nakamura Ryu), Guy Power Sensei (Nakamura Ryu), Nicklaus Suino Sensei (Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu), Mr. Wayne Muromoto (Takeuchi Ryu), Mr. Dave Lowry (Yagyu Shinkage Ryu), and others can help you learn about the art of the Japanese sword.

Associate membership in the SMAA is inexpensive, and members receive an informative quarterly journal as well as discounts at SMAA events. You can learn more about the SMAA by visiting www.smaa-hq.com.

More of the SMAA Europe Seminar (1)

Training at the SMAA Europe Seminar in London began with daily exercises for increasing awareness of the tanden, a natural center in the lower abdomen that is important in the Japanese martial arts. The classes were lead by John Evans Sensei, an expert in Japanese swordsmanship and Hatha yoga. The exercises he taught emphasized tanren, "forging" of one's mind and body. They were derived from his background in Hatha yoga, Mikkyo esoteric Buddhism, and various yamabushi ("mountain warrior") practices. He later showed how these exercises could not only benefit one's health, but how they could also improve performance in Nakamura Ryu swordsmanship.