Every technique we study in Aikido involves practicing the art of creating a change in the situation - a situation where you are being attacked is changed to a situation of containment - a pin - or to one of escape - they are taking a roll, and you have time to get away safely.
Creating this change requires four things from us
- We must maintain our own balance while taking theirs - Illustrate with Tenchinage & Yakute Dori Ikkyo
- We must react fearlessly - Illustrate with Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage Omote
- We must enter into the very center of the conflict - Illustrate with Katate Dori Irimi Kokyu Nage
- We must understand our opponent's intentions in order to achieve resolution - Illustrate with Munetsuki Kotegaeshi Tenkan, pausing after the initial blend
When we follow these four steps for creating change, we don't just change the situation, we change our opponents.
They began the interaction wanting to attack us - believing us to be their enemy. By demonstrating our desire to understand them and by manifesting enough concern for them to make sure they don't get hurt - we change their mind, we change their anger, and we change their role.
They began the interaction wanting to attack us - believing us to be their enemy. By demonstrating our desire to understand them and by manifesting enough concern for them to make sure they don't get hurt - we change their mind, we change their anger, and we change their role.
They wanted to hurt us, and we wanted to dance. And if our Aikido is good enough, and our ability to dance is better than their ability to hurt us, they don’t want to hurt us anymore. They stop being our opponent. They start being our partner.
Para além de apresentar uma abordagem bem interessante ao que realmente praticamos no Aikido, são claros, sem receios ... que faz aikido dança ... não tenham ilusões. E se não o fazem, será que realmente querem fazer Aikido?
