John Goss Sensei: Aiki Hanbo Lesson Plan for Aiki Expo 2005

Saturday 5/28/2005 9:00 AM to 10:20 AM Mat G, 10:30 AM to 11:50 AM Mat G

My intent for these classes at Aiki Expo 2005 is to show you, the student, how the principles of Aiki can be applied to an ancient but still practical weapon—the stick. The Aiki Way is a modern methodology for using this ancient weapon. The hanbo, or 3-foot staff, is the perfect size to be used as a defensive weapon in today’s modern urban environment. Any medium-sized, stick-like object, such as a cane, umbrella, or golf club, can be used as a hanbo, making it an unobtrusive as well as a practical weapon.

The reflexiveness of Aiki allows you to neutralize the attack quickly by yielding to and redirecting the attack. The circularity makes it difficult for the attacker to take away the hanbo. In the Aiki Way, the hanbo is used as a shield, a parry, and a wedge, instead of a club.

From Karate I gained an explosiveness of movement that I still use today. Adding the principles of Aiki to this explosiveness of movement makes the hanbo an extremely effective weapon for self-defense.

Students of Aikido and other Aiki arts will find that practicing these techniques with the hanbo is a matter of adding the hanbo to movements that they are already familiar with. As with any Aiki weapon, the hanbo should become an extension of your body in performing the techniques.

Within these sessions, I will be emphasizing the principles of Aiki, including reflexiveness, yielding, body movement, circularity, breathing, and striking, and demonstrating the application of these principles in the use of the hanbo. Both traditional and practical applications of the hanbo will be covered, and the student will have the opportunity to practice basic movements and basic hanbo techniques. I will be instructing in defense against free-hand attacks as well as defense against tanto, club, and, if time permits, classical weapons.

My classes will follow closely the content of my new book, Hanbo: The Aiki Way, Second Edition. Different techniques will be taught in the two sessions and students are welcome to stay for both sessions.

Hanbos will be available for all seminar participants.

For more information concerning John Goss Sensei and the other featured instructors participating in Aiki Expo 2005 and for signup information, please go here. Also, remember to make your travel and hotel arrangements early since the Expo will take place on Memorial Day weekend!

* If you have already signed up for the event or are sure to be attending Aiki Expo 2005, please go to the Expo instructors polling page and indicate your training preferences by checking the boxes below each instructor’s photo.

Each attendee may check up to a maximum of 10 boxes distributed among the list of instructors. You may select more than one box under the same instructor if you wish to train in more than one session taught by that individual.

Stanley Pranin — May 3^rd, 2005 (add comment)