Advanced Aikido
PRAISE FOR AIKIDO BASICS
I humbly commend Phong Shihan and Dr. Seiser in their ongoing efforts to publish highly valuable insights and truly interesting food for thought for the aikido community and beyond. All serious students of aikido and the martial arts in general would do well to include such publications in his or her library for constant review and source material for discussion, experimentation, and continued growth in aikido and his or her personal missions.
—SHIHAN FRANCIS TAKAHASHI, 6TH DAN, CHIEF INSTRUCTOR AT THE AIKIDO
ACADEMY IN TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA, AND AIKIDO ASSOCIATE, WEST COAST
My congratulations to Sensei Phong and Dr. Lynn Seiser. Your book is a clear expression of our beautiful art of aikido and is aptly tided Aikido Basics. It addresses the questions and concerns of the beginning student in an intelligent and simple way and is the perfect handbook for advanced students and the established teacher as well. Excellent job well done! Without question I recommend it.
—SENSEI FRANK MCGOUIRK, 6TH DAN, AIKIDO-AI DOJO AND
WHITTIER DHARMA KAI ZEN CENTER OF WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA.
I have had the chance to read a preview of this book and truly feel it's the best initial offering for aikido beginners and a good foundation to people who are experienced. I thank Lynn Seiser and Phong Sensei for a wonderful book and look forward to the next two. Thank you.
—SHIHAN FRANCIS TAKAHASHI, 6TH DAN, AIKIKAI FOUNDATION,
AIKIDO ACADEMY OF TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA
Aikido has been practiced and loved by many people all over the world. Aikido promotes "inner peace" through "circular movement." With the help of the book, I trust the number of followers will increase even more. Aikido is a viable way in this tumultuous world. I believe peace will prevail. I am very delighted about the publishing of this book.
—MASATAKE FUJITA SHIHAN, SECRETARY GENERAL AIKIKAI FOUNDATION
Please note that the publisher and author(s) of this instructional book are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may result from practicing the techniques and/or following the instructions given within. Martial arts training can be dangerous—both to you and to others—if not practiced safely. If you're in doubt as to how to proceed or whether your practice is safe, consult with a trained martial arts teacher before beginning. Since the physical activities described herein may be too strenuous in nature for some readers, it is also essential that a physician be consulted prior to training.
First published in 2006 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, Vermont 05759.
Copyright © 2006 Phong Thong Dang and Lynn Seiser
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Dang, Phong Thong, 1940-
Advanced aikido/Phong Thong Dang and Lynn Seiser.—1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0789-2 (ebook)
1. Aikido. I. Seiser, Lynn, 1950- II. Title.
GV1114.35.D368 2006
796.815'4—dc22
2005030834
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Advanced Aikido
SENSEl PHONG THONG DANG
and
LYNN SEISER, PH.D.
TUTTLE PUBLISHING
Tokyo • Rutland, Vermont • Singapore
DEDICATION
I humbly dedicate this book to O' Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, the martial art of peace, love, and harmony. That moment in 1967 when, as I was about to return to Vietnam, O' Sensei fondly bestowed upon me the responsibility to propagate aikido training in my own country will forever be ingrained in my memory.
I also humbly dedicate this book to my late and beloved teachers, Grandmaster Vu Ba Oai and Doctor Nguyen Anh Tai, who oriented and coached me along as I hesitantly entered the gate of the Martial Way.
I also wish to dedicate these words to my first aikido teachers, Sensei Dang Thong Tri and Sensei Mutsuro Nakazono, and to the late second aikido Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.
This book is also dedicated to all of my students, past and present, whose persistence and hard work are the greatest motives for my continuing on my chosen path.
Through this book, I would like to thank the current aikido Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba; Shihan Masatake Fujita; and the staffs of Hombu Dojo and the Aikikai Foundation for their precious and ongoing support.
My heartfelt appreciation also goes to my devoted student, Dr. Lynn Seiser, Ph.D., and to his wife, Pamela, without whom this book would probably never have come to life.
I sincerely hope that this book will be a useful tool for any reader who is seriously interested in aikido training.
—SENSEI PHONG THONG DANG, 6TH DAN AIKIDO,
FOUNDER OF THE INTERNATIONAL TENSHINKAI AIKIDO FEDERATION
TWO-TIME INDUCTEE IN THE WORLD MARTIAL ART HALL OF FAME
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, WESTMINSTER AIKIKAI DOJO
I humbly dedicate this volume, the second of three aikido works, with my deepest respect and appreciation to my aikido instructor, Sensei Phong Thong Dang, for his expertise, compassion, and inspiration. It is a humbling
