what to do during exibitions?

[master35]

im a shy guy but tries to lead during exibition.
what to do during exibitions?
i start with exercises, then some throws.....
what else do you do in your demo? :D help sirs. :D

[aikiwolfie]

Hmm I've never done an exibition before. Only gradings. Sounds like fun though. I'd do some jo and bokken and take on multiple attackers, then take one uke and do some tests like unbendable arm and explain what I was looking for in the test and then show how that applies to a technique.

[Tintin]

Whatever you do, just make sure it isn't just a snapshot of a normal class. While it may show people what they can expect, most people watching a demo want to see the flashy stuff, rather that being reminded of the hard slog ahead to actually get there.

One obvious caveat, don't go too flashy, few thing more embarassing than messing up in a demo with loads of people watching. If you do, hope you've got a good line in banter to talk your way out of it. :p

Unless you are a very ki oriented style, I would definately make sure you have a dynamic display, people often have very short attention spans at demo's and you only have a very short time to impress.

[master35]

Hmm I've never done an exibition before. Only gradings. Sounds like fun though. I'd do some jo and bokken and take on multiple attackers, then take one uke and do some tests like unbendable arm and explain what I was looking for in the test and then show how that applies to a technique.
thanx sir. :D

[master35]

Whatever you do, just make sure it isn't just a snapshot of a normal class. While it may show people what they can expect, most people watching a demo want to see the flashy stuff, rather that being reminded of the hard slog ahead to actually get there.

One obvious caveat, don't go too flashy, few thing more embarassing than messing up in a demo with loads of people watching. If you do, hope you've got a good line in banter to talk your way out of it. :p

Unless you are a very ki oriented style, I would definately make sure you have a dynamic display, people often have very short attention spans at demo's and you only have a very short time to impress.
right sir. :D people cant really appreciate the hard work unless they're in to it. :D

[Dave Humm]

My premis for demonstrations is :
"Keep it simple"
Basic technique applied in an advance way is absolutely adequate for the 'dynamic' section of a demo.
Plenty of pinning techniques where the 'pin' is applied close to the watching audience also seems to go well.

Dave

[master35]

:)

[aikiMac]

I've been in two demos. In the first I did aikido defenses against knife attacks (angles #1-5 from escrima, if that means anything to you). People told me that the crowd loved it, but my 5-inch knife was hard to see from the audience. If I had to do it over I'd get a longer knife, for visibility.

In the 2nd demo I did aikido defenses against jab, cross, and hook combinations. Pretty cool too, but I had more fun with the knife thing.

I picked these two ideas because no one else in my demo was doing anything remotely as "exotic" as this, and I've never seen these done in any other aikido demo. Sometimes different is good, I think.

[master35]

could we do it w/ a bolo? seriously. but it wont be sharp.
would out teachers object?
i dont want him getting mad.

[Tomiki Ryu]

"most people watching a demo want to see the flashy stuff, rather that being reminded of the hard slog ahead to actually get there. "



I totally agree. Whenever I see demos where there is alot of kata or execises I get really bored and turned off. I like to see stuff that looks like it will work in real life situations. I would definately do a multiple attacker randori as this is one of Aikidos strong points. I think I would choreograph it though because you want it to go smooth and injury free for the demo. A little Bo and Bokken kata would be ok too, as long as it was nicely done.

[master35]

thanx for the advice sir. we'll have scenarios after the sensie's demo.

[aikiscotsman]

Something very good to show is the riai(relationship) between ken/jo and taijutsu. People love to see this ie- lots of tachi dori/jo dori and tanto dori. ken awaze with the taijutsu henkas, and jo awaze with the same henkas, then say no 1 and no 5 kumitachi with some ken varations and the taijutsu henkas again, Then the katas 31 and 13 with the kumijo after it so people can see why we do kata and the importance of angles and moving the body as a whole. And of course lots of kokyu nage with jyu waza. make it as dynamic as possible lots of good clear loud kiai should wake the crowd up

[Freeform]

People like to see a good deal of variation in a demo, some flashy throws to impress but also a lot of simple down to earth stuff so that you don't scare away any potential students.

As was said, a demo of Jo kata or tendoku renshu is always a good thing to throw in.

Col

[master35]

yeah we got our 1st demo thru and even a kotegashi throw had a good impact from viewers but still had a painful impression.

[deCadena]

in terms of aikido,
demo of basic techniques will suffice if the audience has limited understanding of the art. Explanation of philosophies is always a must for clarity (i.e. the circle, or going with force etc)

[master35]

they love to see steven seagal throws:)