Why Aikido?
There are many differences between Aikido and most other martial arts. Aikido is only self defense. There is no kicking, punching or competition.
Beyond that, people seek out Aikido for personal growth and fitness. They stay because students are friendly, cooperative and helpful, and also looking for personal growth.
So what is this personal growth? It's a practice of staying calm when aggressive energy is focused at you and then dealing with that energy to stop it, but without harming the aggressor. It's a means of redirecting this aggressive energy without getting caught up in it. This can work for you everywhere: at work, school, home and the dojo (practice area). It reduces the body's natural instinct of "fight, flight or freeze." And it helps the Aikido student truly see the world around them as it really is. What seems aggressive may be innocent. What seems friendly may not be. Aikido gives you the time and space to work this out, and then respond appropriately.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Aikido movements are a delight - By Evelyn Dysarz
As a chiropractor, I am continually delighted by the physiologically sound and efficient movements of aikido.
In my study of a fascinating book on functional movement lines of our bodies, I came across a section describing the forward roll used in aikido (and judo). The book, “Anatomy Trains,” by Thomas W. Myers, is all about how we use linkages of muscles and connective tissue (fascia, tendons, ligaments, bones) to do every twist, stride and reach.
He describes in detail how these linkages are used in the forward roll. My conclusion is that we use these same functional lines in a great majority of all of our aikido movements. As this efficient way of moving becomes second nature, we can focus more on engaging the attacker, and working on our distance, timing and breathing.
I will first quote Myers’s description of a forward roll, then amplify that description a little.
“Looking at one of these forward rolls in terms of the Anatomy Trains, we can see that in a forward roll the little finger is the first edge of the body to make contact with the floor or mat, bringing our attention to the Deep Back Arm Line. The body supports or guides itself on this line (although in an actual roll, little weight is placed on the arm), moving up the surface of the ulna and onto the triceps.
“As the roll reaches the back of the shoulder, the baton is passed from the triceps to the latissimus, or in Anatomy Trains terms, from the DBAL to the Back Functional Line. The body rolls on the diagonal of the BFL, by now supporting the weight of the entire body, crossing the midline of the back and onto the opposite hip. From here the body supports itself, if headed back for standing again, on the Lateral Line of the leg, passing down the iliotibial tract and peroneals as the opposite foot hits the floor and begins the process of standing up again.
“Staying strong, open, and aware of these three lines as you pass through the roll will make it smoother and safer. Conversely, shortening, tightening, or retracting these lines when attempting a roll will result in a bumpy ride.”
The initial line mentioned, the Deep Back Arm Line, is the same line used in our ready stance (kamae), entering and blocking motions, and pivots (palm down). This strong line can be found everywhere! Sensei Takashi Kushida used to say to “go little finger’s way” and he was talking about this line.
Recently, we’ve been working on becoming more aware of how the entire functional line crosses the back on a diagonal, to link the latissimus on one side with a strong gluteus and leg on the other.
This is all part of the process, that is the “do” or “path” in aikido. First we learn to control ourselves, then we link with the attacker, and, as a unit, we move in such a way as to take the attacker’s balance. Many levels of study and practice!
In my study of a fascinating book on functional movement lines of our bodies, I came across a section describing the forward roll used in aikido (and judo). The book, “Anatomy Trains,” by Thomas W. Myers, is all about how we use linkages of muscles and connective tissue (fascia, tendons, ligaments, bones) to do every twist, stride and reach.
He describes in detail how these linkages are used in the forward roll. My conclusion is that we use these same functional lines in a great majority of all of our aikido movements. As this efficient way of moving becomes second nature, we can focus more on engaging the attacker, and working on our distance, timing and breathing.
I will first quote Myers’s description of a forward roll, then amplify that description a little.
“Looking at one of these forward rolls in terms of the Anatomy Trains, we can see that in a forward roll the little finger is the first edge of the body to make contact with the floor or mat, bringing our attention to the Deep Back Arm Line. The body supports or guides itself on this line (although in an actual roll, little weight is placed on the arm), moving up the surface of the ulna and onto the triceps.
“As the roll reaches the back of the shoulder, the baton is passed from the triceps to the latissimus, or in Anatomy Trains terms, from the DBAL to the Back Functional Line. The body rolls on the diagonal of the BFL, by now supporting the weight of the entire body, crossing the midline of the back and onto the opposite hip. From here the body supports itself, if headed back for standing again, on the Lateral Line of the leg, passing down the iliotibial tract and peroneals as the opposite foot hits the floor and begins the process of standing up again.
“Staying strong, open, and aware of these three lines as you pass through the roll will make it smoother and safer. Conversely, shortening, tightening, or retracting these lines when attempting a roll will result in a bumpy ride.”
The initial line mentioned, the Deep Back Arm Line, is the same line used in our ready stance (kamae), entering and blocking motions, and pivots (palm down). This strong line can be found everywhere! Sensei Takashi Kushida used to say to “go little finger’s way” and he was talking about this line.
Recently, we’ve been working on becoming more aware of how the entire functional line crosses the back on a diagonal, to link the latissimus on one side with a strong gluteus and leg on the other.
This is all part of the process, that is the “do” or “path” in aikido. First we learn to control ourselves, then we link with the attacker, and, as a unit, we move in such a way as to take the attacker’s balance. Many levels of study and practice!
Aikido is accomplished “between the beats” - By Chris Howey
In all forms of Aikido – but perhaps especially in the Yoshinkai style – there are “forms” or Kata. We study these forms over and over, trying to perfect our movement and technique.
We usually follow these forms through an entire range of motion from initiation to completion. There is very much of a rhythm to these forms; there’s an attack, a response and an end. Our partners are supposed to give all of their energy to these movements.
In any actual defensive situation, however, there is not a rhythm – and definitely no sense of cooperation.
When we practice Aikido as an art form it’s very beautiful when we execute our movements in time with our partners.
When we are trying to practice Aikido as a self-defense form, however, that sense of rhythm can actually be counter-productive. Attackers aren’t trying to make beautiful movements – they’re trying to do us harm.
We need to practice self defense Aikido “between the beats”. That is to say we have to be prepared to move outside of the rhythm that we use in regular forms practice.
In Aikido timing and distance (maai) is everything. We have to learn to use a counterpoint or off the beat rhythm if we are to take an attackers balance and redirect them to the ground.
If we just practice traditional form timing we likely extend the technique over too long a timeframe and allow the attacker a chance to regain their balance.
Watching and performing Kata is a study in grace and cooperative movement.
Defending one’s self using Aikido is a consequence of using the correct distance and timing.
The two types of practice are not the same.
We usually follow these forms through an entire range of motion from initiation to completion. There is very much of a rhythm to these forms; there’s an attack, a response and an end. Our partners are supposed to give all of their energy to these movements.
In any actual defensive situation, however, there is not a rhythm – and definitely no sense of cooperation.
When we practice Aikido as an art form it’s very beautiful when we execute our movements in time with our partners.
When we are trying to practice Aikido as a self-defense form, however, that sense of rhythm can actually be counter-productive. Attackers aren’t trying to make beautiful movements – they’re trying to do us harm.
We need to practice self defense Aikido “between the beats”. That is to say we have to be prepared to move outside of the rhythm that we use in regular forms practice.
In Aikido timing and distance (maai) is everything. We have to learn to use a counterpoint or off the beat rhythm if we are to take an attackers balance and redirect them to the ground.
If we just practice traditional form timing we likely extend the technique over too long a timeframe and allow the attacker a chance to regain their balance.
Watching and performing Kata is a study in grace and cooperative movement.
Defending one’s self using Aikido is a consequence of using the correct distance and timing.
The two types of practice are not the same.
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