When we talk about "Do" we must necessarily discuss it in terms of the process of leaning. Most martial arts employ technical drills as their principal means of instruction. Karate students, for instance spend much of their training time kicking, punching and blocking. They practice moving up and down the floor combining these techniques to develop impressive offensive skills. Since Aikido is an art that stresses defense, we approach learning differently.
The most apparent difference is that we usually practice in pairs. Both members of the pair take on a different function. One person is the attacker or Uke while the other is the defender or Nage. Both Uke and Nage have specific tasks and responsibilities to perform in order to make the practice fruitful.
The responsibility of Uke is to deliver a true and spirited attack and then receive and blend with the technique that Nage uses as a defense. Uke usually concludes the encounter by taking a fall or roll to escape and make space for the next attack.
Nage has the responsibility of blending with the attack, capturing his/her partner's center of gravity and then executing whatever technique is appropriate.
This is a familiar training scenario for practitioners of Aikido. When both partners execute properly, an affinity develops and both people can learn and refine technique and principles. The engagement between Uke and Nage also creates a mental bond. Both partners feel what is coming and are able to moderate or intensify the training in order to meet their learning needs.
Because there are two people involved, the training experience is more complex than when training alone. If one of the pair fails to train proficiently or honestly then the training of both suffers. For instance, since Aikido training is not competitive the introduction of competition into the paired training depreciates the experience and distracts from training. Also, attempting to train faster or at a higher level than one or both partners are capable impedes the learning process.
Students who engage in paired training are also communicating. Not with words or voice but by movement and gesture. The simple act of bowing at the beginning of a technique is a valuable communication of good will and cooperation. When Nage purposefully shows an opening then he/she is silently indicating readiness for an attack. When the pair is in mid technique each partner is feeling and exchanging energy. This focus and attention result in an enhanced experience.
When paired training is properly executed the result is remarkable. What may appear to an outsider to be dancing or falling for one another is in reality a sophisticated and intricate system of learning. A technique may be initiated by a slow and deliberate attack until both partners are satisfied with the result. Then Uke can attack faster and with more intensity. As the training gradually progresses in spirit students can achieve a cohesion the benefits both.
I like to make the analogy to working with a weight machine. One starts out with light weights and trains until his/her muscles can accommodate more weight. By gradually adding more and more weight to the exercise muscles become stronger.
Aikido practice adds another dimension to strength training. Not only do we develop our physical stature but we develop our mind and spirit at the same time. Our ability to blend with an attack becomes enhanced and our awareness is sharpened.
This is the process of Aikido training. This is another facet of the concept of "DO."
Yours in Aikido,
Tom, Sensei
The most apparent difference is that we usually practice in pairs. Both members of the pair take on a different function. One person is the attacker or Uke while the other is the defender or Nage. Both Uke and Nage have specific tasks and responsibilities to perform in order to make the practice fruitful.
The responsibility of Uke is to deliver a true and spirited attack and then receive and blend with the technique that Nage uses as a defense. Uke usually concludes the encounter by taking a fall or roll to escape and make space for the next attack.
Nage has the responsibility of blending with the attack, capturing his/her partner's center of gravity and then executing whatever technique is appropriate.
This is a familiar training scenario for practitioners of Aikido. When both partners execute properly, an affinity develops and both people can learn and refine technique and principles. The engagement between Uke and Nage also creates a mental bond. Both partners feel what is coming and are able to moderate or intensify the training in order to meet their learning needs.
Because there are two people involved, the training experience is more complex than when training alone. If one of the pair fails to train proficiently or honestly then the training of both suffers. For instance, since Aikido training is not competitive the introduction of competition into the paired training depreciates the experience and distracts from training. Also, attempting to train faster or at a higher level than one or both partners are capable impedes the learning process.
Students who engage in paired training are also communicating. Not with words or voice but by movement and gesture. The simple act of bowing at the beginning of a technique is a valuable communication of good will and cooperation. When Nage purposefully shows an opening then he/she is silently indicating readiness for an attack. When the pair is in mid technique each partner is feeling and exchanging energy. This focus and attention result in an enhanced experience.
When paired training is properly executed the result is remarkable. What may appear to an outsider to be dancing or falling for one another is in reality a sophisticated and intricate system of learning. A technique may be initiated by a slow and deliberate attack until both partners are satisfied with the result. Then Uke can attack faster and with more intensity. As the training gradually progresses in spirit students can achieve a cohesion the benefits both.
I like to make the analogy to working with a weight machine. One starts out with light weights and trains until his/her muscles can accommodate more weight. By gradually adding more and more weight to the exercise muscles become stronger.
Aikido practice adds another dimension to strength training. Not only do we develop our physical stature but we develop our mind and spirit at the same time. Our ability to blend with an attack becomes enhanced and our awareness is sharpened.
This is the process of Aikido training. This is another facet of the concept of "DO."
Yours in Aikido,
Tom, Sensei
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