Advanced Aikido. Phong Thong Dang

MARRIAGE, FAMILY, AND CHILD COUNSELOR

       IRVINE, CALIFORNIA USA

      CONTENTS

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND APPRECIATIONS VIII

      PREFACE IX

      INTRODUCTION 1

      PART ONE: THE INNER DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADVANCED PRACTITIONER 9

      Chapter 1: Omoto Philosophy for Today's Practitioner 10

      Chapter 2: Training Philosophy 20

      Chapter 3: Training the Mind 32

      Chapter 4: Understanding and Using IG 38

      PART TWO: THEORIES AND CONCEPTS FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTITIONER 45

      Chapter 5: The Art of Body Mechanics 46

      Chapter 6: The Art of Movement 51

      Chapter 7: The Art of Engagement 58

      PART THREE: ADVANCED TECHNIQUES-REFINING THE FUNDAMENTALS 67

      Chapter 8: Throws and Locks 68

      Chapter 9: Application Techniques 107

      Chapter 10: Combination Techniques 124

      Chapter 11: Counters and Reversals 133

      Chapter 12: Strikes 152

      PART FOUR: ADVANCED APPLICATIONS-TAKING YOUR PRACTICE TO THE NEXT LEVEL 157

      Chapter 13: Self-Defense Techniques 158

      Chapter 14: Demonstrations, Competition, and Seminars 172

      Chapter 15: Teaching Aikido 175

      Appendix A: Interviews with Sensei Phong Thong Dang 178

      Appendix B: Questions and Answers from Aikido Instructors 193

      Appendix C: Technique Chart 199

      Appendix D: Concept Chart 200

      Glossary 203

      References and Resources 209

      Index 211

      About the Authors 214

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

       AND APPRECIATIONS

      The authors express their deepest compliments and appreciation to their editor at Tuttle Publishing, Jennifer Brown, whose expertise and patience have guided them brilliantly through three books.

      The authors express their deepest respect and appreciation for permission to quote the contributions from several high-ranked and highly regarded aikido instructors and their thoughts in the forward of this book. It is a humbling honor to include their insights from years of training and experience in this book.

      The authors express deep appreciation to Stanley Pranin, editor of Aiki News/Aikido Journal, producer of Aiki Expo, and aikido historian, for his permission to quote, and reproduce, in its entirety, his interview with Sensei Phong Thong Dang originally published in Aikido Journal #101 in 1994 in this work.

      The authors also express deep appreciation to Susan Perry and Ronald Rubin, editors of Aikido Today Magazine, for their permission to quote and reproduce, in its entirety, their interview with Sensei Phong Thong Dang originally published in Aikido Today Magazine (#75; Vol. 15, No. 3; May/June 2001, pages 11-15) in this work.

      The illustrations of Waza (techniques) rendered from photographs taken by Shodan John Tran of Tenshinkai Aikido Westminster Aikikai Dojo of members; Sandan Minhhai Nguyen, Sandan Quang Hai Nguyen, Nidan Loc Bui, Nidan Randy Penland, Nidan Rick Neff, Nidan Bryan Tate, Nidan Eric Raye, Shodan Joe Duong Dinh, and Shodan Tu Tu on July 25, 2004. Thank you gentlemen.

      The authors express their appreciation to readers from the Tenshinkai Westminster Aikikai Dojo; Tarn Do, David Whurlbut, Richmond Neff, John Velardo, and David Marcus.

      The authors express their deepest appreciation for the proofreading done by Pamela Seiser, wife of author Lynn Seiser. She proofread, and reread, every word, of every page, of every draft with patience, persistence, and an eye for detail, grammar, and readability. Her support and patience have made this book possible and readable.

      PREFACE

      In our previous work, Aikido Basics, we presented information pertinent to the beginning student. We went from finding a school, to the first day of class, through the basic aikido techniques. This book assumes that the reader already has that basic knowledge, training, and experience in the technical aspects of aikido. This work is about applying advanced concepts to the sophisticated and subtle aspects of aikido training and techniques. Though beginning and intermediate students may find this work a source of inspiration and encouragement, this book primarily focuses on the advanced students who want to broaden their knowledge base to include advanced throws and locks, combinations, counter techniques, and self-defense. Most importantly, the advanced students will gain an understanding of the application of advanced aikido concepts and principles that they can apply to training and the refinement of their basic practice.

      Each waza (technique) presented in this book will receive a complete and thorough exploration and explanation. This book discusses and describes the waza in reference to its physical technical execution. Each waza will be discussed and described in reference to the sequential process of enter and blend, redirect and unbalance, throw or control, and let go and move on. This book discusses and describes waza in reference to advanced aikido concepts such as mushin (calm and empty mind) and musubi (connection). This complete and thorough exploration and explanation in description and discussion will lead to an understanding that should provide any student of aikido with the advanced knowledge and insight necessary to improve his or her technique and training in aikido.

      However, readers should keep in mind that no one can learn aikido from a book, and no one can teach aikido from a book. One can only learn aikido through direct experience and training with a competent instructor. This, and all aikido books, is only a means of reference