Videos
A video is worth a thousand words...
Helpful Reference Videos
Aikido Beginner Reference Videos
Beginners! - Follow along to learn these important wrist stretches that are part of a our typical Aikido warm up and preparation for training.
Basic Warm Up
A typical Aikido pre-practice warm-up led being by Sensei Greg O'Connor.
Basic body movement and how to perform the basic attacks common to Aikido practice.
Aikido basics of Hanmi (stances), Shikko (knee walking), Ikkyo & Rowing Exercises and basic safe falling.
Basic Breathing
Basic breathing and conscious movement.
(Note: Although this video is largely being blocked by students, a close listen at those times will still provide helpful guidance.
Tai No Henko
Aikido's blending exercise called Tai No Henko (body adjustment) common to basic Aikido training.
5th thru 2nd Kyu Reference Videos
Not shown here yet are the more simplified, more efficient and more practical techniques, come-alongs and pinning variations that are covered regularly in our classes.
5th Kyu
Not included:
Simpler, More Practical Variations
Sitting Kokyuho (Kokyu Dosa)
Tai No Henko
Bokken and Jo Suburi
4th Kyu
Not included:
Simpler, More Practical Variations
Sitting Kokyuho (Kokyu Dosa)
Bokken and Jo Suburi
3rd Kyu
Not included:
Simpler, More Practical Variations
Sitting Kokyuho (Kokyu Dosa)
Randori 2 person (freestyle)
Bokken / Jo extra training
2nd Kyu
Not Included:
Simpler, More Practical Variations
Sitting Kokyuho (Kokyu Dosa)
Randori 3 person (freestyle)
Bokken / Jo extra training
Aikido Breathing Reference Videos
The following video clips were filmed during the shutdown and self-sheltering being adhered to here at Aikido Centers and across the country due to the March, April and May 2020 Covid-19 outbreak. (Hence the black t-shirt and white gi pants to represent our Aikido training being turned upside down.)We hope they are helpful for calming and centering...
Breathing BasicsAikido Centers Chief Instructor Greg O'Connor Sensei self-videoed these first 3 informal chats in the entrance to our East Hanover dojo at the start of our shutdown for the Corvid-19 crisis in order to offer advice on paying attention to one's body and breath for mindful breathing and relaxation, meditation, daily life and bringing it into our on- and off-the-mat Aikido training as well as to help cope with the Corvid-19 situation.
Standing Breathing Exercises:
Follow-along Breathing Exercises - no talking:
Bowing Basics
Warm-up Exercises
Interesting & Informative Aikido & AiProtect Promos
Beautiful promo video created by filmmaker Sandy Chase of FluidFilm featuring footage of our chief instructor, Greg O'Connor, demonstrating various aspects of Aikido randori (multiple attack).
Aikido Centers promo video showing the varied benefits of Aikido training.
Start now with 50% Off our 3-Month Starter Special.
Essential self defense skills for all ages, individuals, groups, agencies or professions. Easy-to learn skills introduced in specific 1-6 hr. workshops.
Careful, safe intros -
Plain clothes, no falling, no fighting, no traditional formalities.
Participants receive AiProtect Certificates of Completion.
A 30 second promo for Aikido Centers - kids, adults at our East Hanover dojo.
A 1 minute promo for Aikido Centers - kids, adults at our East Hanover dojo.
Another 1 minute promo for with American composer Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" as background music.
A news segment about Aikido Centers filmed at its East Hanover, NJ headquarters dojo.
WMBC TV Interview
A WMBC TV interview with Sensei Greg O'Connor and seniors of Aikido Centers of New Jersey.
Quick FB clip announcing our seminar featuring guest instructor Michele Quaranta, 7th Dan, Switzerland.
Make Time for Yourself and Your Family promo video.
Aikido's approach to mindfulness from start to finish benefits all ages.
Slo-mo clips of an Aikido randori (multiple attack) by Sandy Chase (FluidFilm) with Aikido Centers chief instructor Greg O'Connor demonstrating along with senior instructors of Aikido Centers taking ukemi (demonstrating Aikido falling skills.
A video by Daniel Lance about the "Aiki Jazz" training that had instructors Michele Quaranta, Greg O'Connor and Daniel Lance alternating and playing off each other.
A 30 second behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filming of the Aikido randori
portion of the upcoming documentary "Transcendence" by filmmaker Sandy Chase of FluidFilm.
A reference for Aikido Centers Instructors from an instructor's seminar in 2012 at our East Hanover Dojo.
A glimpse of the first class of the 2006 Grand Opening Seminar for our East Hanover, NJ Dojo.
A Saturday with kids, adults and weapons training at our headquarters dojo in East Hanover, NJ.
6:20 min.
Aikido for Children
A mom's testimonial for the Children's Aikido programs at Aikido Centers.
A short video about
Aikido for Children giving something for Parents to consider.
20 sec.
Aiki-ken, Aiki-jo and Aikido technique reference videos...
Bokken & Jo TrainingReference Videos
Aikido Bokken & Jo Training
The bokken
is a hardwood sword used as a substitute for the Japanese sword (katana). Training in bokken
(aiki-ken) has many benefits that relate directly to and enhance Aikido training and techniques.
The jo
is hardwood 5' staff similiar to a walking staff but with quite a range of use and application. Like the bokken, training in jo (aiki-jo) has many benefits that transfer directly into Aikido training and techniques.
Both bokken
and jo
training are recommended but are not mandatory.
Bokken Basicswith Greg O'Connor Sensei
These detailed instructional videos were filmed during the Corvid-19 shutdown and self-sheltering in March, April and May of 2020 at our headquarters dojo in East Hanover, NJ.
Bokken Intro Explanation1
Bokken Intro Explanation 2
1st Suburi Explanation 1
13th Suburi
- Kesa Giri - Deflect and Cut
More to come!
Jo Basicswith Greg O'Connor Sensei
These detailed instructional videos were filmed during the Corvid-19 shutdown and self-sheltering in March, April and May of 2020 at our headquarters dojo in East Hanover, NJ.
More to be come!
20 Bokken Suburiwith Greg O'Connor Sensei
These 20 bokken
suburi are common suburi
used typically in Aikido bokken
training. They were organized by Greg O'Connor Sensei to build on the traditional 7 suburi
common to Aikido bokken training (aiki-ken) and cover suburi
that relate directly to our regular Aikido training.
Note: Variations can be done in a variety of ways including switching feet, switching hanmi, or by stepping into tenshin, tenkan
& irimi
tenkan.
All can also be done with attention to either omote sankaku
or ura sankaku.
Bokken Intensive - 1999with Greg O'Connor Sensei
A one-day intensive focusing on bokken basics taught by our chief instructor Greg O'Connor with valuable advice, basic bokken suburi and drills that are still applicable today.
Conducted and filmed in 1999 at our previous headquarters dojo in Morristown, NJ.
Bokken Intensive - 2010with Greg O'Connor Sensei
Videos from a one-day bokken intensive taught by our chief instructor Greg O'Connor with valuable advice, basic bokken blending drills and kumitachi.
Conducted and filmed in 2010 at our headquarters dojo in East Hanover, NJ.
(Note: 3rd thru 5th Kumitachi are not documented here)
Jo Training Reference Videoswith Sensei Greg O'Connor
Video from a one-day jo intensive taught by our chief instructor Greg O'Connor with valuable advice, basic jo blending drills and kumijo.
Conducted and filmed in 2010 at our headquarters dojo in East Hanover, NJ.
(Note: 5th thru 10th Kumijo are not documented here.)
Other Worthwhile Videos
Links you should check out
Here's a variety of videos of interest and further explanations -
More to be come!
A film by Daniel Lance of our first Aikido International Aikido Friendship Seminar (Ai Seminar) conducted in October of 2010.
A nice review of The Aikido Student Handbook.
A film by Kais Mejri commemorating the Aikido International Aikido Friendship Seminar (Ai Seminar) conducted in Tunis, Tunisia with guest instructors Greg O'Connor and Daniel Lance.
A film by Daniel Lance commemorating the Aikido International Aikido Friendship Seminar (Ai Seminar) conducted in Tunis, Tunisia with guest instructors Greg O'Connor and Daniel Lance.
A film by Daniel Lance commemorating special guest instructor Micheline Vallient Tissier at Aikido Centers along with instructors Greg O'Connor and Daniel Lance.
A quick clip from Yasu Itoh Sensei's class during a seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover in December 2011.
Micheline Vallient Tissier's class at the 2015 Ai Seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover, NJ.
Daniel Lancer's class at the 2015 Ai Seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover, NJ.
Greg O'Connor's class at the 2015 Ai Seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover, NJ.
Michele Quaranta's class at the 2015 Ai Seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover, NJ.
Greg O'Connor's class at the 2015 Ai Seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover, NJ.
Michele Quaranta's class at the 2015 Ai Seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover, NJ.
Micheline Vallient Tissier's class at the 2015 Ai Seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover, NJ.
A quick clip from Yasu Itoh Sensei's class during a seminar at Aikido Centers-East Hanover in December 2011.
A promo clip for the annual Aikido Retreat hosted by the California Aikido Assoc. with it's Aiki Follies end of camp talent show.
More Coming Soon...
Traditional Iaido Training
Iaido - The art of drawing the Japanese sword (katana).
Practiced as solo forms for centering, grounding, posture, presence, awareness, focus and power.
From left to right - Takeshi Mitsuzuka Sensei with Greg O'Connor, Greg O'Connor / Mitsuzuks Sensei / Roger Wehrhahn, Iaido Group Photo with Mitsuzuka Sensei, Paul Sylvain, Greg O'Connor, Chiba Sensei with Mitsuzuka Sensei
Iaido Reference Video
MUSO SHINDEN RYU
Demonstrated by Greg O'Connor
followed by Greg O'Connor's Iaido 3rd Dan test with Takeshi Mitsuzuka Sensei overseeing.
Iaido - The art of drawing the Japanese sword (katana).
Practiced as solo forms for centering, grounding, posture, presence, awareness, focus and power.
