“Penn State Aikido Lesson Plan for Week 3,” by Jim Sullivan

“Catch a glimpse of techniques you will soon perform demonstrated by the teacher who trained the longest amount of time with the Founder of Aikido.”

Hello Aikido students,

This week your assignment is to:

Watch video: Morihiro Saito Shihan demonstrates Ryokatadori Techinques
Watch video: Steven Seagal at 1995 All-Japan Demonstration
Read article: “Budo and Aikido: Finding the Source”, specifically read the section of this article written by Frank Doran Sensei.

While watching the techniques of Morihiro Saito Shihan think about how these movements relate to the techniques you have learned so far in class. You will catch a glimpse of techniques you will soon perform demonstrated by the teacher who trained the longest amount of time with the Founder of Aikido.

Watch the video of Steven Seagal, the man who introduced Aikido into mainstream America with his movie “Above the Law”. During the Aikido study abroad class you will get the chance to meet the teacher who significantly influenced Seagal Sensei, whom Mark Larson Sensei also trained with significantly. In October you can ask Mark Sensei directly about his conversation with Seagal Sensei at the All-Japan Demonstration!

The article “Budo and Aikido: Finding the Source” has many excellent points by several outstanding instructors. The comments made by Doran Shihan are especially pertinent to the points recently discussed in class – Awase, balance point, and posture. Doran Shihan has graceful, yet powerful and practical technique. I had the pleasure of training with Doran Shihan many times while living in California and at the various Aiki Expo’s which were painstakingly and successfully organized by Stan Pranin Sensei (Thank you!).