In this video, Stanley Pranin explains and demonstrates shomenuchi kotegaeshi. Some of the main points he stresses are:

  • the importance of nage initiating the attack
  • the role of atemi in unbalancing uke
  • use of a soft hand grab and the “tether principle”
  • why “pain compliance” is not needed to execute this throw

Pranin is the founder of Aikido Journal and will be conducting a joint seminar with Pat Hendricks Sensei of Aikido of San Leandro, one of the highest ranking female aikido instructors in the world, in Las Vegas, March 9-10, 2013.



Stanley Pranin Bio

Stanley Pranin began training in 1962 in southern California. He received his 1st and 2nd dan rankings from Koichi Tohei Sensei in 1965 and 1967. Stan began a newsletter called “Aiki News” in 1974 which began his lifetime calling as an aikido historian and an authority on the life of Founder Morihei Ueshiba. In 1977, he relocated to Japan where he stayed continuously for 20 years. During that time, he trained primarily with Morihiro Saito Sensei and also collaborated with the latter in the publication of many books and videos. Stan also accompanied Saito Sensei on many of his foreign trips as his interpreter. Today, Stan operates the Aikido Journal website which is the outgrowth of his many years of research and publications on all aspects of aikido.

Pat Hendricks Bio

Pat Hendricks began her aikido training in 1975 under Mary Heiny and Stanley Pranin in Monterey, California. Beginning in 1977, she traveled to Japan for the first time and began practice at the Iwama Dojo of Morihiro Saito Sensei. Pat made scores of visits to Japan over a period of more than 30 years honing her aikido and language skills. Pat became one of the senior students of Saito Sensei and took ukemi for him at many seminars and demonstrations in Japan and abroad. She has operated Aikido of San Leandro in northern California since 1984. Pat is currently head instructor of the Iwama Division of the California Aikido Association. She travels extensively worldwide conducting aikido seminars and demonstrations. In 2012, she received the 7th dan ranking from the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo.

Click here for more information about the Las Vegas seminar with Pat Hendricks and Stanley Pranin