Aiki Taiso

A note on warmup and Aiki-Taiso

When doing the warm-ups and stretches and performing the Aiki-Taiso, it is a very good idea to work on following along with the instructor; moving when Sensei moves. This is what I call blending with the class. As you follow Sensei’s lead, try to feel the rhythm and pace that Sensei sets. The rhythm can change day to day and even exercise to exercise. It is important to do the exercises at Sensei’s pace. If he/she is doing them slowly, you do also. If Sensei does them very fast, then do your best to follow along and if Sensei is too fast for you ( such as during Happo undo) do what you can, but do something. Something is better than nothing.

When a guest or fellow student is leading, keep in mind that there are unlimited variations on the way the warm-ups can be done and no one way is better than another. Also some instructors may not do all of the Aiki-Taiso, or do the moves in a different order. This is up to Sensei and like the warm-ups, no one way is better than another. We do our best to learn from whoever is teaching the class. It is inappropriate to question whoever is leading the warm-ups or the Aiki-Taiso.

Aiki Taiso

1. Ikkyo undo, First control exercise (wrist stretching)

2. Nikyo undo, second control exercise (wrist stretching)

3. Sankyo undo, third control exercise (wrist stretching)

4. Kotegaeshi undo, wrist reversal exercise (wrist stretching)

5. Yonkyo undo, fourth control exercise (wrist stretching)

6. Tekubi shindo undo, wrist shaking exercise

7. Funekogi undo, boat rowing exercise

8. Shomenuchi ikkyo undo, first control from forehead strike exercise

9. Zengo undo, two direction exercise (shomenuchi ikkyo done in two direction)

10. Happo undo, eight direction exercise (shomenuchi ikkyo done in eight directions)

11. Tekubi kosa undo, wrist crossing exercise

12. Joho kosa undo, wrist raising and crossing exercise

13. Enkei Undo, circle throw exercise

14. Enkei Choyaku Undo, circle throw exercise in motion

15. Enkei sayu Undo, circle exercise from side to side

16. Udefuri  undo, arm swinging exercise

17. Udefuri choyaku Undo, arm swinging exercise in motion

18. Ushirodori Undo, “bear hug” from behind exercise

19. Ushirotekubitori zenshin Undo, forward throw exercise for wrist grab from behind

20. Ushirotekubitori kotai Undo, moving backward exercise for wrist grab from behind

21. Katatetori tenkan Undo, turning exercise for same side wrist grab

22. Koho tento undo, backward rocking

23. Zengo kaiten undo, forward rolling exercise

Shane Lewis

Edited by Ken Cox