If you have any events to be posted here, please send them to jjbieler@airmail.net.

Koryu Jodo Workshop at The Dojo in Denton TX, in conjunction with Windsong Dojo. This workshop will highlight classical Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo kata as taught by Kaminoda Tsunemori sensei in the Nihon Jodokai, with focus on riai (explanation of techniques) and application of kihon (fundamentals) and kamae (posture). Friday 30 Oct: Early bird session 7 pm - 9 pm (pizza night) Saturday 31 Oct:123 11 am - 2 pm and 4 pm - 7 pm (sushi dinner extra) Sunday 1 Nov: Die hard session 9 am - 12 pm (optional) Seminar fee is $30, covering facilities, refreshments and Friday dinner.

Nihon Jodokai Gasshuku in Kashima, Japan, taught by Kaminoda Tsunemori, Shindo Muso Ryu Menkyo Kaiden. We send our support.

Windsong Dojo Play Days, Oklahoma City OK Three of us attended the Aikido sessions on Saturday for several hours of randori and kata. I explored "three points of contact" with Nick. He showed how that applied to Aikido, using just a little brushing contact, or laying the forearm across the deltoid, to create reactions and fulcrums. During Sunday Jodo, I worked with Kitty and Brian and Nick, exploring questions about posture and timing, working mainly on Tsukizue, Sakan and Tachiotoshi. Then holding uchitachi with jo saki in Midaredome while preparing a quick transfer and strike. We also did Tsubawari and Taisha, and played a bit with Ranai.

The Denton Aikido Club is now supporting our friends in the American Tomiki Aikido Association, current president Tim Cleghorn 7d, with shihans Harry Wright 8d, Mike Haygood 8d, Ray Richards 8d. Upcoming (or Past) Events: TBA - Winter ATAA Seminar

The First Annual US Jodo Gasshuku will be held in Milwaukee WI, hosted by Rich Friman and Dan Pearson of Nihon Jodokai. Dan and Rich are both Shomokuroku (first scroll) in Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo. This is the first gathering of the separate groups associated with Nihon Jodokai in the US and is intended to develop skills, create bonds and found a tradition. Please consider participating if it is at all possible (inquire regarding invitation).

• Going to honte no kamae, move the hip first, then the hands. This way the hip is already set.
• Tachi is frozen in midaredome (eg) because jo stretches toward his eyes until the last moment.
• From hissage no kamae, keep the jo hidden, tight to the inside of the knee, as long as possible.
• Riai: in kasumi (eg) tachi does not withdraw until jo pushes him back, and jo does not withdraw until tachi does. This dynamic applies to everything.
• Uchida ryu tanjojutsu is not sympathetic and includes techniques that seem intended to just kill (eg shamen sa/yu), probably since your enemy is not your clan and there is less margin with a short weapon.
• Slide the hands to raise and strike the wrists in Tsukizue.

  In Tsukizue, when you drop back to grasp the stick, you are in gedan. If uke raises the sword to strike again, he opens up a nice big target for you to tsuki. That is why the kata is called "thrusting stick" even though there is no explicit thrust - it's implied, and it's why uke freezes. He should know he's had, right then, and cannot even prepare to attack without losing. Since you slide the left hand, you can easily go to the kuristuke in tachiotoshi. You also have left makiotoshi, kuritsuke like tsubawari/shinshin, dobarai, yokogiridome, taihazushi, and the end of ranai (ie, kasumi no kage). It is Musashi's unassailable posture.

Windsong Dojo Shochugeiko (Summer Intensive), Oklahoma City OK Six days of on-going Aikido instruction with Nick Lowry, supplemented with several good daily doses of Aikido, Judo, and Jyodo instruction by the Windsong Dojo Budo Kai instructors throughout the week. Aikido students of all levels are invited to come and train! See Windsong for details.

Nick-sensei has invited me to lead the Jodo classes on Friday and Saturday of the Shochugeiko. As many of you know, I have been studying classical Shindo Muso Ryu with the Nihon Jodokai, led by Kaminoda Tsunemori-sensei. These sessions will be an introduction to the classical style for those who are interested.

Assuming most participants have medium to advanced Jodo skill, we will focus on differences starting with kihon. Some of these seem slight but have a big impact on riai of the kata.

We should be able to go through all of the Omote kata during the seminar. Six of the kata will be familiar from Seitei, once again with differences that change the feeling and logic. The remainder may be new to you, and some will be a challenge, introducing closer body contact and kneeling positions. Please come with an empty cup and full spirit.

Bring your Jo and Bokken, or Windsong may have a few available. Let me know if there is special interest in anything in particular (e.g. kenjutsu), and we can put in extra time between sessions. I look forward to seeing everyone.

• Complete control and relaxed power must be maintained throughout techniques. This includes performing a lock directly in the center, not slightly off. Throwing at the correct angle. Having a firm grip. Being able to throw with static application of power as well as movement. If you get hold of someone really good, you need the soft touch, but control is the fundamental. George Spriggs, J.W. Bode's student, compared it to a flashy drummer who hasn't been practicing his quarter notes.

• Good ideas come from all over, not just one source. There are more than just one flavor of Ai-Ki.

• There are always two answers, at least. Evasion is one (leading the center), Invasion is another (taking and controlling the center). When a technique is resisted, you can bounce to an alternative (as in the chains), OR you can engage center and sink weight and go right through the resistance. Don't abandon a technique until it you give it a chance to fail, much less succeed.

• Don't confuse power with muscle; remain sensitive and adaptable. "Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand thus, but use all gently."

I am sorry to see this, but we wish SAM TIPTON the best of fortune in his recent move to San Antonio. Sam was one of the original students from the Gold Horse Dojo at the Kundalini Yoga Ashram. He came with a black belt in karate and a wholehearted love of budo. Sam started doing Judo with the Denton Junior Optimist Judo Club, and subsequently founded the Dojo's Judo study group. He developed a love for "soft touch" judo, and became a favorite amongst the DJOJC kids. Possessing consistent grace and proactive friendliness, he was the goodwill ambassador for the Dojo, the "glue" that held us together, or at least the gum that stuck to our shoes.

Sam became my primary partner for Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo, and insisted on practicing the Kenjutsu at every opportunity. When my daughter came to live with me, Sam took over the Monday night Aikido class, and taught there every week for the last several years. Sam leaves as my second Aikido rokudan, awarded in February by "Junikaze Budokai". Congratulations, sensei!

Sam gifted us with his gentle nature, loyalty, and unfailing wonder and enthusiasm. He made an excellent traveling companion on several trips to Japan where we practiced Shindo Muso Ryu in Kashima, and he surprised everyone with his genuine love of natto. Menudo, stand aside! I am sure we will see more of him, as he visits from time to time. We will always have a warm bed, a hot meal and a soft mat waiting.

Sam, I speak for the whole dojo in wishing you... Happy Trails!

The Denton Aikido Club joined its friends in the KazeUta Budokai, under the stewardship of Nick Lowry shihan. Upcoming (or Past) Events: Mar 20-22, Oklahoma City OK - Windsong Dojo Budo Play Days Apr 11, Lawton OK - Aikido/Judo Open Mat Session hosted by J.W. Bode Apr 17-18, Round Rock TX - Aikido Seminar hosted by Eric Pearson, with Nick Lowry & Glenn Billings May 15-16, Houston TX - Aikibudokan seminar hosted by L.F. Wilkinson Jun 22-27, Oklahoma City OK - Windsong Dojo Summer Intensive (Koryu Jodo on Jun 26-27) Jul 24-25, McCalla AL - ATAA Seminar Aug 22, Lawton OK - Aikido/Judo Open Mat Session hosted by J.W. Bode Sep 4-6, Oklahoma City OK - Windsong Dojo Budo Play Days (Fri Judo, Sat Aikido, Sun Jodo) Sep 18, Oklahoma City OK - Rener Gracie (Gracie Combatives) at Windsong Dojo 6-8 PM Dec 28-31, Oklahoma City OK - Windsong Dojo Winter Intensive

Take-aways from my trip to Japan and visit to the Capitol Area Budokai in December:

• Holding the jo between the hands, use the ring finger knuckles and have a bit of tension. This way the muscles are engaged and the jo can shoot out quickly.
• The feet are similar; have some tension pushing against the floor. You opponent should know he is already under attack, but it is being just barely held back.
• You are not trying to kill your opponent (originally he was a member of your own clan). He should know he has no chance to succeed, and you could finish him any time you want. Haraidome is a wonderful example of this.
• At the start of a strike, the jo first stretches as far forward as possible until it meets the limit where you must move your hip. Then, make the step. Hand movements are fast and cheap, so make them as big and early as possible.

Nihon Jodokai Gasshuku in Kashima, Japan, taught by Kaminoda Tsunemori, Shindo Muso Ryu Menkyo Kaiden. This is his 30th anniversary of his leadership of the Nihon Jodokai. Sam, Hector, Nidia and I will attend, and the latter three of us will stay for the following weekend in Japan for Iaido training. Congratulations to Hector and Nidia, for earning awards at the Taikai for best in the Kihon group. Kaminoda sensei told me: "Jack-san, you have small techniques. If you do big techniques, you can have a big spirit." He demonstrated Tsukizue (my observations): Upon evading the sword, position the jo to point directly toward uchitachi's centerline. He should be able to feel that you control his center and can spear him at any time if he attacks. This makes him freeze momentarily. When striking the wrist, the tip goes exactly vertical and drops across the eyes. He should know you could have finished him. Arms stay straight, the jo goes to your center first, then up, then square the center on uchitachi and come down. When drawing the jo, raise the front hand to aim at the eyes. He should know he must step back. When striking, the jo moves quickly forward at the start of the movement, so you do not step without the jo in front. Of course: keep proper posture (SHISEI), make big natural movements, step with hips (KOSHI), always attack (SEMERU). Shimizu sensei told Kaminoda sensei: "There are not 70 waza in Jodo, there is only 1. If you do Tsukizue correctly, you have learned everything."

Judo and Aikido clinic in Oklahoma City taught by Karl Geis shihan. Friday night Judo 6-9 PM, Saturday Aikido 9 AM - 6 PM. Amanda Nordstrom attended, along with Walter Lee of Wichita KS, sans introduction. On Saturday, the camel's back broke.

Autumn Cogitanda:

• Slow is not just a practice method. It is not just to reduce ego, not just to widen the windows of opportunity, not just for safety. It is a CORE TECHNIQUE. The muscles that make you go fast are the same ones that make you go strong, resist, force. Always go slower than your partner, and you will be able to feel his movement and respond. You don't have to be perfect, just softer than the other guy. Slow is SOFT and fast is HARD.

• Go ahead and make big full arm movements in Jodo. Small does not save any time, since the timing is determined by body movement anyway. Your hands can move faster than the body, and will. Let your body movement as you begin a step "kick" your hands forward; they will arrive in position well before the step gets there. This advanced hand timing makes many marginal kata actually work and make sense.

• Remember that hand movements like drawing or flipping the stick are "free" since they don't invoke body movement. In Honte-uchi and Kaeshizuke, you actually CAN'T start your step till the stick is prepared. Then it can shoot forward at the beginning of the step.

Aikido ideas for Summer:

• Relaxing is the key to everything. Relax the shoulders (most important). Isolate the muscles that push out the palm. Let the elbows sink and get the feeling of pushing through the palm with your lower abdomen, or feet.

• Let your arms wander up and down as your opponent tries to attack and recover. Just keep your center pointed at your hands, your hands between you and the action, and keep moving 90 degrees off line between techniques. Keep your center level, and match up and down by letting your hands be moved. Work at the edge of the attacker's extension.

• Remember you must keep your arms unbendable to apply power, or traction, but not neccessarily in transition. Give way. Remember curling to the body is also an option (San Kata II-3).

• Keep initiative. Letting the attacker move first is not an error if you are prepared. Prepared means ready to react to anything. That means not preparing to do anything in particular. Evade aggressively; when someone attacks, you have them right where you want them.

• Physics will work if you let it.

• The power secret of Iaido is the whip. You basically throw the tsuka-gashira toward the point of entry, then at full extension, using the wrist and grip, the sword flips out and cracks like a whip. The rest of the cut is follow-through with the large muscles of the back snapping into posture. There is no need to pull DOWN in kiri-oroshi; just snap out forward into your enemy, and let the hands follow through to the center. Eishin-ryu o-chiburi trains the hand to move the tsuka first, clearing the head before snapping it into the target.

• Jodo uses the whip, but also adds a cam action (differential 3rd-class lever). Sliding the hand to move the tip is found in most if not all kihon. Hikiotoshi employ multiple slides simultaneously. "In the heart of the jo is an arrow" but it gets there by converting angular to linear momentum, and focuses the energy into the tip moving horizontally.

• Jodo is designed to take advantage of the rise-and-drop cycle. E.g., Kaeshizuke flips stick without body drop, threatens uchitachi into stepping back, then catches with thrust in drop-and-rise. In Iaido, the feet are planted and weight drops at the moment of the cut. Only the front foot moves. This is a fundamental difference in principal from Jodo sword, which uses the following foot.

• Hikiotoshi is the haymaker of Jodo. Most of Omote teaches how to make space so you can strike Hikiotoshi. Try practicing empty handed to clean up the movement.

Seitokai Iaido seminar and shodan-shiken with Tanida Hiroshi sensei. This is just an excuse to show off this really neat photo taken by John Lautermilch, copyright 2008.

Happy Winter. We have been working on these themes in Aikido:

• Get serious about the walking. For example, if you do #5 release the way most people do walking step #7 (basic pivot step), you will never get it. You have to push your hand forward, let it rotate up, and step 180 degrees exactly when it is top-dead-center. The walking must match the waza, or you are practicing an error.

• HANMI. Your following foot (tsugi ashi) automatically comes shoulder width behind, in forward stance. It makes everything work, and is easy to teach. In releases, step directly under the hand, and yoou can always make the pivot step. Float your front foot and let uke determine where it falls. Then, as your facing adjusts, your back foot automatically aligns behind you.

• Relax the center into the feet. You can feel the ground pressing your soles, when you move it is solid, your hands feels heavy, and you get under people. You don't want the feeling over pushing over the top because your shoulders disconnect from the hips. You have to let your stomach drop, which is counter to vanity, but it ain't a beauty contest.

• Zanshin. Started having people formally demonstrate a few kata at the end of each class. We get sloppy if we are always critiquing and correcting. Sometimes you gotta just do it.

Judo and Aikido clinic in Oklahoma City taught by Karl Geis shihan. Friday night Judo 6-9 PM, Saturday Aikido 9 AM - 6 PM. Karl discussed using the cycle step (small backward movement followed by forward step).

Capitol Areas/Great Lakes Jodokai Gasshuku in Washington, DC, taught by Kaminoda Tsunemori, Shindo Muso Ryu Menkyo Kaiden, and Nihon Jodokai. Training continued in Wisconsin, USA, on Aug 17-19.

We worked on Kihon, Seitei Jodo, Kenjutsu 1-3, Omote and Chudan 1-10 kata. Also had a session of Seitei Iaido. Take-away ideas:

• Keep tip of the stick on the center line (e.g. both strikes in Raiuchi)
• Use the tsuki to maintain distance, hold opponent's center till they move (e.g. end of Hosomichi)
• Attend to proper maai (e.g., half step in Ranai/Oshizume to mess up attack)
• Make big movements with the whole body (moving body takes time anyway so use to best advantage)
• In Seitei Iai, sword should only whistle from entry point to center (not overhead or at end of cut)

Special Fugakukai Aikido clinic in Houston taught by Miyake Tsunako shihan and Karl Geis shihan. Miyake sensei will be teaching Kodokan Goshinjutsu. As of 24 June 2007, I am no longer a member of the Fugakukai International Aikido Association. I am grateful to Karl Geis for the many years of instruction, to Miyake sensei for the brief but delightful and enlightening moments over the years, and to all the friends I have known and trained with. May their paths prosper. 二十二年間住む蝙蝠 Congratulations to Sam Tipton on his promotions to Godan in Aikido and Jodo, and to David Gibson for achieving his Shodan in Aikido.

The Dojo is back in operation. Last Friday and Saturday, a few of us from the Aikido, Iaido and Karate groups removed all the mats, spread them outside, cleaned them with disinfectants and bleach, and let them bake in the sun. We had to put them back in the dojo, but we stood up the rolls and have been running a dehumidifier since then. They are dry and we reassembled the floor on Friday night. My especial thanks go to Corwin Glasser and Stephen Eaton, who scrubbed mats on Saturday, and to Sam and Toby who helped with the dehumidifier project.

Dan Martin & Crow Mountain Dojo will be hosting a Judo Playday in Russellville, Arkansas on Saturday, April 28. Start time is around 10am, ending when we're all tired. For more information contact Dan Martin at (479) 890-0033.

The Dojo was flooded by torrential rains on Tuesday night, April 24, 2007. The mats have been cleaned with disinfectant, but it is too early to tell if the open-cell foam is salvageable. More to follow as the story develops.

A new sushi bar has opened in a little building just north of The Dojo. The owner is a very nice guy named Keiichi Nagano, hailing from Kagoshima, Japan. The menu is set each day based on what ingredients are best and what entrees he is making. The entrees range from roasted fish to Rack of Lamb. The sushi and sashimi are among the freshest I have had in this country, and he selects hard-to-find items like uni (urchin roe), toro (fatty tuna) and kanpachi (baby yellowtail). He grinds real wasabi from the root fresh to order -- what more need I say. The quality and ambience are outstanding, and I hope we can help make his efforts a success. Price is moderate to expensive. Beer, wine and liquor are available. Restaurant has seating for about twelve. Keiichi restaurant is located at 500 N Elm St in Denton TX. Tel 940-230-3410. From The Dojo, take Bolivar north to Parkway, turn right and go 1 block to the corner of Elm. Keiichi is on the northeast corner.

Judo and Aikido clinic in Oklahoma City taught by Karl Geis shihan. Friday night Judo 6-9 PM, Saturday Aikido 9 AM - 6 PM. Congratulations to Stephen Eaton on his promotion to Nidan.

Nihon Jodokai Gasshuku in Kashima, Japan, taught by Kaminoda Tsunemori, Shindo Muso Ryu Menkyo Kaiden. Sam Tipton and I will be in Japan from Mon 30 Oct to Tue 7 Nov. Charlotte Siegel, Stephen Eaton and David Gibson will run classes on Monday 30 Oct, Wednesday 1 Nov, Saturday 4 Nov, and Monday 6 Nov.

We worked on Kenjutsu, Tanjojutsu and classical Jodo kata and kihon. Take-away ideas:

• Align stick with body in proper kamae, aim with the feet (sounds familiar)
• Power comes from koshi (hips/sacrum/center)
• Make large movements with full extension throughout
• Use the kamae to do waza - otherwise the waza is not right
• Makiotoshi is the supreme of kihon and most difficult
• "If you have good kihon, you can do good kata, if not, you cannot"

Judo and Aikido clinic in Oklahoma City taught by Karl Geis shihan. Friday night Judo 6-9 PM, Saturday Aikido 9 AM - 6 PM. Contact Sam Tipton to carpool on Friday, or Stephen Eaton if you want to go early Saturday morning.

Karl Geis also held a Jodo session on Friday afternoon. Take-away ideas:

• There can only be one ma-ai (one honte no kamae), back hand 12" from your center
• All strikes are based on forward motion, not downward
• Strike using the body like a whip
• The swordsman is slowed by rise-and-fall (fighting gravity), jo is not
• Strike slowly so power develops from whole body (esp. hikiotoshi & makiotoshi)
• Stick angle is almost a line; if angled, your structure is very weak (wrists not honte)
• Align stick with body in proper kamae, aim with the feet

This is a special day - the 10 Year Anniversary of John Ray's "The Dojo". It is also the 10 Year Anniversary of Jack Bieler teaching Tomiki Aikido in Denton. We will have an Open House with hotdogs, sodas, demos and Q&A for the public from 2-4 pm, in conjunction with the Antique Fair in the Downtown Square. Afterwards, we will have a celebration dinner at Prairie House restaurant. All Dojo members are invited.

Fugakukai Aikido Summer Clinic in Houston, taught by Karl Geis shihan. Congratulations to Mark Morgan of the Dallas club on his promotion to Rokudan. This was a major Randori clinic. Here is some of what we covered:

• Grip must be secure and allow mobility, but allow it to break so you can switch hands
• Figure 8 (moving evasion) drill, Shear Pin (changing hands) drill, Swinging rope (release) drill
• Take small steps, let hands drift, get equilibrium with both feet, time with foot-strike
• Add curl or cocking wrists to extreme with each step
• Give Up Control in order to get control
• Osoto gari - ALWAYS practice on Forward step (3 feet in line) to build correct visceral feel

Jodo Intensive with Corey Comstock and Dan Pearson of Nihon Jodokai. We will be work on Jodo kihon, seitei and classical kata. We will have all-day training on Saturday 20th starting at 11:00AM, and afterwards at 7:00PM there will be a potluck dinner at my house. This photo is from the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

Take-away ideas:

• close the waki (armpit)
• use the jo to its full advantage (lead with the weapon, don't expose yourself, extend forward)
• stretch! and build tension before striking (don't waste power moving stick through air)
• maintain "perfect wrist" sword grip
• close the waki!

We are sorry to see the back of him, but we must wish WALTER LEE and his wife Lyn the best of luck in their new home in Wichita, Kansas. Walter was my first student in Denton, Texas. We were both waiting for our cars at Discount Tires when he noticed my Aikido t-shirt. He and the Bobbie Vash started training in Aikido at my home in rural Denton county in 1996. The following year I started Aikido of Denton at Ra Baker's Kundalini Yoga Ashram on Locust Street, and Walter has been training with us ever since.

Walter is hard-headed, insightful, loyal, responsible, nice, and one of the best friends I have ever had. Without him, Denton Aikido might not even exist, and surely would not be the juggernaut it is today. I certainly wouldn't know the taste of an 18-yr-old Macallan single malt. We can't wait to visit the new Dojo he will be starting up in Wichita as soon as he can. He knows he doesn't have a choice! Fortunately, he is just a short drive from Oklahoma City, where we will see him at the Spring and Fall clinics.

Here are some memorable Walter-isms:

• Good body mechanics is always good body mechanics
• Hoo-ah! (we never did find out what that means)
• Tenkan evasion in the 23 is the same as a rodeo clown, keeping on shoulder of a bull
• I just realized (fill in the basic principle) -- Jack, why didn't you ever tell us that?
• I call the walking "The Calibration Kata" (spoken like a field service engineer!)

We also wish the best to Stephen Eaton - black belt, computer entrepreneur, bon vivant and wielder of psychic powers (but only for good). He is moving to Sedona, Arizona. Ashram survivor and brand-new black belt David "Graymalkin" Gibson is entertaining a great job opportunity elsewhere in the sunny state of AZ. And starting next year, Nicholas Ross will be attending beautiful UC-Santa Cruz.

We wish they could all stay, but barring that we wish them good fortune, good health, happiness and successful branch dojos!

Judo Play Day at Windsong Dojo, all day Saturday. Sam has to work, but all Fugakukai judo people are invited.

Judo and Aikido clinic in Oklahoma City taught by Karl Geis shihan. Friday night Judo 6-9 PM, Saturday Aikido 9 AM - 6 PM. Budo-mobile leaves the Dojo at 6 AM Saturday morning for Aikido - be there, or contact Sam Tipton to carpool for Judo on Friday afternoon.

Take-away ideas:

• step in arbitrary direction, one step only, just as the attacker steps
• coke-bottle grip (shear pin allows grip to transfer)
• develop immmunity to adrenalin (force to relax under stress)

Nihon Jodokai Gasshuku in Kashima, Japan, taught by Kaminoda Tsunemori, Shindo Muso Ryu Menkyo Kaiden. Wish I could go.

Judo and Aikido Clinic in Oklahoma City, OK, taught by Karl Geis, Judo 8 dan, Aikido 10 dan. Friday night Judo 6-9 PM, Saturday Aikido 9 AM - 6 PM. Congratulations to Hector Perez, Aikido Nidan, for his successful test at the clinic.

This is an experimental web page copied in whole cloth from John Ray's new "The Dojo" page. My apologies for any malfunction or misrepresentation.

I plan to include lineage charts for Aikido and Jodo, and biographies of our teachers:

• Kano Jigoro
• Ueshiba Morihei
• Tomiki Kenji
• Kaminoda Tsunemori
• Miyake Tsunako
• Karl Geis