Smelly feet
Learning: Train your side abb’s too. This exercise one partner lays down on it’s back while the other stands over it’s head (their feet next to their ears). The person laying down grabs the ankles of the standing partner. Than they raise their feet up in the air in front of the standing partners nose. […]
Numbers in the air
Learning: Training abbs doesn’t have to be boring Everyone lays down on it’s back, while being able to watch sensei or assistant. The sensei will write (slowly) numbers from 1-10 in the air. Everyone has to follow his lead and track his finger with their feet. Without touching their feet on the floor. So 1 […]
Counting tatamis
Learning: Counting in Japanese Attributes: tatami, obi or taped ‘lines’ Depending on the dojo’s tatami floor you can do this fun-damental. Otherwise ‘Go Ai-ki-do’ works for you. Each row of tatami is ‘one count’. So when you have 10 rows the last row is ‘Yu’. Everyone has to stand on the first row which is […]
Blind volley
Learning: Nothing can prepare you for the unexpected, all you can do is work together Attributes: Big screen, duvet cover on a rope or XXL tatami (which you hold with two people) Rules are not as strict as in real volleyball, but the goal is to pass the ball on to each other at least […]
King of the Tatami
Learning: Basic movements like Kokyu ho are applied here Attributes: Big tatami (or normal tatami on top of the regular tatami) This looks a lot like the sumo fun-damental, but this time you need a thick gym mat. Or you can put some extra tatami on top of the current tatami (so you will have […]
Tatami Track
In this parkour we use a tatami (lightweight or regular mats depending on the kids) to follow a parkour where they will have to work on their balance but more importantly work together. Learning: By working together the pawn will stay on the tatami. Tip: When the pawn falls down, let them do that part […]
Roll and go!
Learning: Some of these techniques can make you tired! The main goal is to keep your students active and moving. Start in the middle and let them perform a . The uke makes an ukemi, but has to run to the edge of the tatami and than come back. Then after 4 times they have […]
Your island
Learning: This method can be applied to every start of laying down the tatami. It makes the kids aware why they should be on time to put down the mat. (If everyone puts down 3 mats, you’ll have exactly enough space to work on.) -> if they are not on time space is too tight […]
Doshu’s class
Learning: Space is crucial to do Aikido, how does this way of working changes the way you work? Welcome to Doshu’s class. As you might know the whole country is joining this special class. Space is usually limited to 1 square meter. (Or less.) We transfer the same feeling by shrinking the tatami to the […]
Clock work
Learning: A structured way of changing partners, without any ‘preselection’. Everyone finds a partner and before we start, stand in one big row. Remember who is next to you (left and right). Since you have to get back in the same position after doing the . Once you are ready to switch partners, you line […]