Elements

This is an evolving page on the elements, layers and insights that contribute to the depth and effectiveness of Aikido – 

  1. Sensing the rising of aggression in your attackers
  2. Seeing the initiation of an attack by your attackers
  3. Direct the attack by your movement
  4. Proper timing
  5. Proper distance
  6. Finding your personal center of gravity and balance
  7. Sensing your attacker’s intention
  8. Sensing your attacker’s weak areas and unbalancing points
  9. Direct and maintain your attacker’s state of imbalance, initiating movement through the 3rd leg of the stool
  10. Maintain the sense of the “unbendable arm” in your connected movements
  11. Remain decisiveness and devoid of fear
  12. Hide your power and intentions in helical movements
  13. Keep the connection point (nexus) in your center.
  14. You direct the unified momentum. Connect the centers as if you are one with the aggressor.
  15. Stand and move effortlessly using your skeletal structure
  16. Maintain a sense of connectedness with whole body movement
  17. Direct movement with your Hara (belly power)
  18. All movements start and stop together but, different parts move at different speed at different times
  19. The legs, abdomen and hips power your movements; the hands only connect and direct the technique.
  20. Get off the line of attack and off balance the attacker by bending the attacker’s spine through your techniques
  21. Maintain balance with neutral head-neck-body orientation, even when rolling.
  22. Use a dynamic “splatter vision” rather than a fixed “tunnel vision” during randori.
  23. Suddenly stop an attack as it is developing (intercept early),
  24. Or, draw out an attack beyond its natural range, causing a hesitation and withdrawal from the aggressor.
  25. Unbalancing is facilitated by directing the attacker’s center to the apex of  the triangular base formed by the attacker’s  stance.
  26. Rise and descend naturally exaggerating the attackers movements while following circular and linear paths.
  27. “Reach” with your mind beyond but including, oneself, the attacker and the surrounding environment.