Colorado Aikido Summit 2001
March 31, 2001

Contributed by Jon Strauss*

9:10-10:20 A.M. Rocky Mountain Ki Society My friend Don Rojas was the leadoff batter for the event. As the lowest-ranking instructor of the group (sandan), he told the eighty-plus in attendance that he was merely the “appetizer.” Regardless, he represented Ki Society extremely well and I heard plenty of good things about him as I stepped off the mat after class. Don taught a handful of ushirodori arts, after beginning with a ki test that most folks seemed to have at least a little trouble with: being grabbed from behind and walking forward with good, relaxed posture. He worked with a number of the students, especially those puzzled by the timing for kokyunage zenpou, and the hand switches on the ushiro pinning arts. The good news is that the day would be filled with even more puzzling and amazing techniques.

10:30-11:40 A.M. - Highland Hills Tomiki Aikido What can I say that most folks don't already know about Seiji Tanaka Sensei? A direct student of Professor Kenji Tomiki, and practitioner of aikido for over 40 years, the man is amazing and most of the stuff he does is almost impossible to duplicate unless you’re one of his dedicated students. His arts only got better (i.e. scarier) when someone was crazy enough to attack him with a tanto. I had lots of fun doing the Tomiki version of iriminage and trying to copy his footwork. His group gave a great demonstration of their kihon waza, bokken movements, tantodori, and atemi-waza. We also found out that Tomiki isn't just about randori and competition; they have a variety of interesting kata as well.

Lunch: catered by the Denver Women's Bean Project, which is a shelter for homeless and low-income women in the Denver area who are struggling with addictions and abuse. So not only did we get to eat a good lunch, we helped support a great organization that helps women get back on their feet. It was a very nice arrangement.

1:00-2:10 P.M. - Aspen Aikido (Independent) Roderick O’Conner sensei began and ended his class with readings from "The Art of Peace." His style felt very familiar to me, most likely due to the Tohei sensei-flavor he picked up by studying with Tom Crum sensei. We started off with some breathing techniques and hitori-waza which was a great way to ease back on to the mat after lunch. O’Conner sensei is very peaceful, friendly and graceful man who tried to work with everyone during his class. He was able to impart some remarkable and effective techniques to all in attendance. I especially enjoyed the blending “hug” response to a yokomenuchi attack. He even worked a Bruce Lee quote into his lesson: "move second; arrive first," and showed how to apply that concept in Aikido by using the attacker’s movement to initiate a more powerful response by nage.

2:25-3:55 P.M.- Aikikai Tanshinjuku (USAF) I finally get to meet Kei Izawa sensei. In a discussion with him after class I found out that he hadn't practiced Aikido for a long time and that he still felt "a little rusty." I can’t wait for my arts to look that ‘rusty.’ This guy was sharp, quick, and amazing. He used a lot of the strong hip pivots that (for me) define the USAF style. There was a great deal of mat-slapping that went on during his vigorous class as people flew all over the dojo trying to do their best breakfalls. Apparently his dojo in Lafayette isn't that big. My guess is that it soon will be as people flock to this small Colorado town to train with him. A very approachable man with a positive attitude, he was very excited about the potential for future teaching exchanges with the other Aikido styles & schools in Colorado.

3:45- 5:00 P.M. Boulder Aikikai (ASU)
Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei provided a spectacular "dessert" for all who attended (he promised me cheesecake and he delivered!). I think that smile on his face is permanent. About the only thing that he did which I could copy with any success was his bowing--but I'm sure I screwed that up too. It was also fun watching Mr. Aikiweb, Jun Akiyama get tossed around after a long day of slacking off and picture taking (hope you’re feeling better, Jun). I think the most amazing thing about Ikeda sensei’s class is not that he can break balance so easily and so early in any technique, but that he can do it to folks who (supposedly) are trained to keep their center. Embarrassing yes--but enjoyable even more so. He gave me a great deal to work on in a very small amount of time.

Epilogue: I did wind up with a slightly separated shoulder (a combination of too many folks who perhaps shouldn't have been throwing breakfalls and the fact that I was too excited and trusting). My glutes are sore as hell as well, but the aches and pains are well worth the training and friendship that was shared on this Saturday.

The highlights for me were: getting thrown by Ikeda Sensei in one of those minuscule, kuzushi techniques of his (How does he DO that?); getting to work & laugh with Frank Gordon sensei from Glenwood Springs—a terrific teacher, and just being a part of such a wonderful seminar. Much praise and "thank you's" to Edgar Johansson of Aikido of Colorado for having the vision, the time, and the energy to set up such a spectacular event.