Reading Room
The video below shows the Saito Sensei demonstrating the Aikiken.
Practicing the seven suburi (@1.40 min), if possible in front of a mirror, will help to develop the necessary foundations for the more advanced partner practices and develop better structure, form (and footwork) for tai-jitsu (open-handed training).
Watch them all at normal speed - then slow the video down to 50% speed and follow along.
Be careful to perform each suburi slowly and accurately, repetition is important, but only repetition with good form !!!
See notes below for some additonal things to check.
During each cut:Cuts should come from your centre-line.Raise the sword with the hands coming up the centre line of you body.Try not to raise your shoulders and squash your neck and your raise up.Maintain good posture throughout with the feeling of your head being pulled up at the crown by a piece of string.
Dont grip the boken too tightly. The little and 4th finger of the left hand should hold tight - only grip hard with the right hand, at the final moments of each cut.
At the finish of each cut:Arms should be extended - almost locked out - but not locked out.Back leg should be almost locked out - but not locked out.Your back should be straight and upright - with a slight tilt forward at the hips.Front leg should be bent - with your knee over your ankle - so your shin bone is vertical - or ever so slightly forward.Weight should be 60-40 onto your front foot. The bokken should finish parallel to the ground, never with the tip dropped down. Your hands should extend from your centre, with the end of the bokken pointing towards your belly button.
At the finish of each cut:Arms should be extended - almost locked out - but not locked out.Back leg should be almost locked out - but not locked out.Your back should be straight and upright - with a slight tilt forward at the hips.Front leg should be bent - with your knee over your ankle - so your shin bone is vertical - or ever so slightly forward.Weight should be 60-40 onto your front foot. The bokken should finish parallel to the ground, never with the tip dropped down. Your hands should extend from your centre, with the end of the bokken pointing towards your belly button.