Large Ukemi & Feeling Radial Expansion (aka "ki")

Radial expansion is often a topic of conversation around the holidays.  But Post Turkey Bloat isn't what we're here to talk about.  It's an attempt to discuss how to do large ukemi (rolls) safely and well.  Words sometimes get in the way so let's also use this picture from the Great Lawn Chair Revolt of 2020.  This is on the more extreme side a large rolls; done more for fun and skill that practicality on its own merit.  Whether we do small, medium, large, or extra large rolls we should have a feeling that we are this expanding ball. Every inch of us is driven or pulled by some force radially outward from the center of the roll.  It's not quite like some Cenobite with a bunch of radial chains pulling you apart but it is something sourced from within a sphere of your control.

It would be easy as instructors to fall back on the classics, like "extend ki". But what does that mean? As people begin a martial arts journey the word "ki" ranges from meaningless esoteric nonsense to people who have literally thought we could do Dragonball Z type stuff.  Once you attain ki and feel it, then ki becomes a word we can communicate around.  But it can take years to attain a sense of ki begging the question of what do we do until then?

In a bicycle tire, the air inside is applying a pressure to maintain the wheel's quintessential round shape.  The pressure provides cushion between the hub and the road.  It prevents deformation into sharp clunky corners but still allows the tire to flow over small rocks and cracks in the pavement to give a smooth ride.

In ukemi, large and small, we need to emulate this inflated feeling.  We need to feel it.  This is where the rubber meets the road, how does one describe a feeling?  The Hallmark channel has been working on that for decades and they're still trying.  It is not that Post Turkey Bloat.  The stuffed feeling where we are bursting at the seams from that last scoop of mashed potatoes is different.  That would be an inflation centered within.  This feeling is an inflation centered outside of us.  Because of that we feel only a tingling of that pressure being on the outer edge of the circle. The pressure drop across us is small because we are only a part of the circle. We are still comfortable.  It should feel energizing.

I have used the word "inflation".  But this doesn't mean suck in air and hold it; not at all.  Don't do that as it can have consequences and it would be more along the lines of the Post Turkey Bloat feeling.  "Inflation" here is made up of an energy, a feeling, a mindset.

Words may be failing us but the next time you roll, try to create a feeling of radial expansion.  Visualize the surfaces of your arms, back, hind, and legs that will make contact with the mat being pushed outward from the center around which you will roll.  Feel "lifted" onto that ball or wheel.  This feeling should exist before, during, and after the roll.

 

 

The art of falling gracefully...

Falling is a fact of life whether you are doing a martial art or not.  Ice, rain, snow, exuberant puppies, kids toys.  The universe will get you sooner or later.  When the universe comes calling, be prepared.

In Aikido we practice falling. A lot.  We train repeatedly to ensure that our muscle memory will take over without us having to think.  Whether pushed, thrown, tripped, or just being clumsy, our bodies will take over an help minimize the impact.

Oh, and it's really fun to be your own personal roller coaster!

 

Get started now.  Well, if it is a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evening.  Or Saturday morning.  :)

 

250 Cumberland St, 2nd floor, suite 216.  Come join us for some fun!

 

 

12/5/24 Class Update

 

Oh, I guess we better not mess with you...

"Oh, I guess we better not mess with you."

Why is this people's reaction when they find out you do martial arts?  It is interesting people never say "Oh, I'm glad to have you at my side"  Why is it that people presume, even jokingly so, that your knowledge would be a threat to them rather than a shield.

Martial artists already know they aren't a threat.  They know how much work and discipline it takes to learn to become proficient.  They already know about the deep, lifelong friendships they develop with practice partners.  They already know that any youthful rage they might have once carried has long left them because of their practice.  Sure there are bad actors in every corner of life.  But they typically don't last long in a dojo because they won't find the echo chamber for their angst they desire. 

So this invitation is for the reader that happens upon this message who has had that kind of reaction to learning someone is a student of the martial arts.  Think about the person and how they are in life.  Go check out a dojo.  See how they are.  Whether you end up practicing or not, see how the students and teachers interact and support each other.  Let experience shape your perspective.

 

 

Strut

Regardless of the endeavor, as we embark on a task we must do so with confidence if we are to maximize our potential for success.  Doubt consumes vital resources in the mind that have more important things to do in the moment.  It's not that healthy, well adjusted, successful people don't have doubts.  In fact the more we do in life the more we might have doubts.  Show me someone who hasn't made mistakes and I'll show you some one whose never tried to do anything.  It is more that we learn to put doubt on hold.  Save it for the after-action report whether that's the ride home, a walk in the woods, your morning shower, or talking with a confidant or mentor.  

Doubt cannot share the stage with action.

In the dojo we need to learn to clear our minds of doubt before we present an offer to uke, before stepping into a practice circle, before taking the starting position of a kata.  An attack and our response to it takes, on average, about 1.5 seconds.  Yes, just a couple of heartbeats from the time an attack is initiated, to our recognizing it, to formulating a response, to executing a technique, and finally uke going splat.  We literally have no time to service the doubt subroutine in our brains.

Doubt is strong.  It's emotional. It's normal. We cannot rid ourselves of it, nor should we.  But we must learn to put it on pause while we have a job to do.  This a skill we need to learn and practice like any other skill. One way to do so is to channel the energy of music.  Sensei would often have us sing a song while throwing.  It relaxes us and can distract us from inefficient thoughts.  Music can also evoke strong emotions.  Who hasn't wished life had a soundtrack?  So pick something evocative of confidence to play in your head as you start a throw, a stitch, a cut, or a brush stroke.  Whether you Strut like Emeline, ride into battle with Orf's "O Fortuna", rock them to Queen, or get "Back in Black" with AC/DC, remember that you are the hero of your story, so make an entrance like one.