Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Take Your Aikido Training to a New Level

How can I be sure my Aikido works? Is my training effective? How can I rid myself of the feeling that I'm "treading water?" These are some of the nagging questions that plague most of us about our training. We all want to learn and we want to learn in the most efficient manner possible. It's only natural to feel this way and it is a positive symptom of enthusiastic commitment to the art of Aikido.

There are myriad ways to improve our technique in both Nagewaza and Ukemi. We urge our bodies and minds forward to chip away at the intricate and difficult demands of the art. We endure pain and exhaustion in order make sure we are"getting it right." We do this class after class and we rightfully expect results. We are, in short, hardwired for success. And yet, we often miss the most productive, effective and simple way to achieve our goals. Though simple, it may be the most challenging because it involves self analysis and behavior modification. What I am referring to is allowing oneself to be assimilated into the Aikido "process."

The process of Aikido is a subject worthy of miles of ink. But, in a nutshell, it is essentially the fundamental principle of blending energies. When we train Uke provides an attack. During the course of this attack he/she transfers energy to Nage. In order to achieve aiki or blending Nage receives this energy and moves in a reciprocal manner that allows a redirection of the energy. Nage is thereby able to use Uke's energy to perform a technique that resolves the conflict. It is this principle of blending with the energy of an attack that is at the very core of Aikido.

With that said, let's take a look at the dynamics of training. Since we usually train in partners we are dependent on each other to make our training effective.

Uke must deliver an effective and well centered attack. It is imperative that the attack have sufficient energy to get the process started. Nage is charged with blending with the energy of Uke's attack and transforming that energy into a technique. It is then the responsibility of Uke to blend with that reconstituted energy and execute an appropriate falling or escape technique.

During the course of this engagement both Uke and Nage must perform their responsibilities carefully and diligently for learning to take place. If either losses concentration, or breaks the concentration of the other, the process breaks down. This occurs most often as a result of inadvertence. Sometimes focusing on ones partner results in a breakdown. This can happen when the thought, "what is he/she doing?" interrupts our concentration. Of course, "shadow teaching" can also cause the process to breakdown.

It is often said that one should train with an "empty mind." This doesn't mean be stupid but rather to focus ones concentration on what he/she is feeling rather than analyzing what your partner is doing. Also, Uke and Nage should be on guard that they are not doing something to interfere with the process. For instance, should Uke tighten up and impede Nage's ability to perform a technique it will cause the learning process to completely break down. Likewise if Nage decides to interrupt the process, to correct some aspect of his/her technique, it stops the flow and prevents Uke from blending and executing proper ukemi.

When Aikidoka engage in the Aikido process they develop both the skills and principles that provide a basis for their art. The more diligently one adheres to this very simple form of practice the faster one progresses. Also, this simple formula avails one to the discovery that is inherent to efficient learning.

Maybe the hardest part is having faith that the process will produce the desired results. It is easy to second guess the process. "If I just let Nage do the technique will he/she ever learn to do it correctly?" "Can I develop the type of self-defense skill that I can use in any situation?" The answer to these questions is a resounding YES! O'Sensei developed this style of training with great care and forethought. It works! And it works so well that everybody can learn and grow by diligently emmersing themselves in the Aikido process.

Yours in Aikido

Tom, Sensei













1 comment:

  1. I have to admit that I have been recently struggling with the balance between not "shadow teaching" and providing a true and honest attack. For example, it seems that there are times when uke should see an opening in nage, and take advantage of the opening by showing a punch or taking nage's balance. Then on the other hand, there are times when your focus should only be on blending and feeling the technique being presented, without any effort to create a more complex attack.

    I realize that there are times for each, and hopefully with more and more training, I will come to learn when which is appropriate in which situation. It is part of the learning process, and I look forward to growing in these areas.

    Thanks for the words, as always, Sensei.

    Onegaishimasu,
    Pete

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