Sword Arm?

A signature of many styles of Aikido is the out-splayed fingers or “Sword Arm.”  This is not seen in Aikido Kokikai®, so have we thrown out ki extension?  Not at all.  The point of eminence has moved to the point of connection.  Ki is extended through the wrist which is the normal point of connection with uke.  It concentrates the ki extension and puts it where it is most useful.  The hand is already a POW and the action is all at the front lines.  So, we extend ki there, where it can do the most good.

There are other benefits as well.  The wrist is curled therefore digits are protected from “rounding errors.”  Splaying the fingers also weakens uke’s grip, though useful at times, it is not when you want to promote connection to influence them.

 

“Listening”

Sensitivity  to Uke’s state of mind and balance crucial to executing good technique.  Yet it is one of the more difficult skills to develop.

If we are too eager to throw or otherwise overly engaged in broadcasting force.  We miss subtle things uke’s body is telling us about them through our point of connection.

The analogs to daily life are strong.  If we are simply waiting for our turn to speak, communication has failed agreement is impossible.

Congratulations to Theresa on an Excellent 3rd Kyu Test!

 

Practicing Kata With Purpose Requires Understanding Motivation.

Practicing Kata With Purpose Requires Understanding Motivation.

Where Is You Opponent?
When Turning, Why Are You Turning? 
Are You Blindly Turning And Attacking? 
Did You Have A Sight-line To See The Attacker You Are Countering?

Our Movements Should Always Take Us Offline Of The Attack.  They Need To Provide Situational Awareness By Angling Us So We Can See Areas That Were Previously Blind Spots.

This Will Change The Kata From The Fixed Orthogonal Look Of The Basic 101 Version That Teaches Us Generally Which Way To Face And Which Response Is Next.  101 Kata Is Useful, Necessary, But Incomplete.

Adding This Layer Reinforces Important Strategic Lessons For Your Open Hand Technique.

The “Danger Hug”

It’s difficult to articulate why, but when connecting with uke (our attacker)  if we think of hugging them to us, it is far more effective than thoughts of “pulling”, “yanking”, or “grabbing”. 

The thought of hugging implies a disarming softness.  We automatically are more attentive to the state of the huggee.  We can better sense their balance and mood (ki).  Uke resists less, or more accurately, has difficulty understanding where how to resist.

We often describe it as like hugging your teddy bear.  A strong yet gently endearing force difficult to contest.