This class is centered on the use of full body mechanics and plyometric movement as applied to basic stick work. Proper use of the stick is the entry point for other types of hand held martial art tools.
The 2 handed curved wooden sword (bokken) is also used for basic training.
Medicine balls of various size and weights will be used to develop coordination and stamina. There is also an introductory stretching routine that accompanies each class.
Martial Arts Weaponry may be used as a complement or supplement to Aikido I and II. This class may be repeated since topics vary and require dedicated effort for mastery.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the semester students will have knowledge, experience and/or ability in one or more of the following areas:
- Principles of safe practice, injury prevention, and right-mindedness in use of martial arts weapons
- Several fundamental movements with the martial art stick and/or wooden sword
- Additional advanced movement sets as warranted by the student’s acquisition of the fundamentals.
- A basic repertoire of medicine ball or other stretch/flex/mind-body conditioning movements
Recommended Readings
- Book of Five Rings – Miyamoto Musashi
- Traditional Aikido Volumes 1 & 2 – Morihiro Saito
- The Art of War – Sun Tsu
- Tao Te Ching – Lao Tsu