KATA DORI Sankyo and Kokyu Nage

The prior classes were all explorations of the lines of entry – the kihon (flanking), ushiro (absorbing), and irimi (closing) entries. Mastering the entries and the timing differences are critical to being able to execute techniques. First master the maai (distance) and time (kimusubi). Then we added atemi – as a facilitating device. Proper atemi of course could beContinue reading “KATA DORI Sankyo and Kokyu Nage”

KATA DORI Continued

In The Knowledge Illusion, Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach argue that the mind has evolved to do the bare minimum that improves the fitness of the host – one could insert cynical observations on the obviousness of this given the general lack of critical thinking skills … The authors draw on evolutionary theory to demonstrateContinue reading “KATA DORI Continued”

RANGES OF COMBAT

For all its elegance, Aikido is not a Ryū -流, – a complete art. Its formal curriculum lacks a full set of techniques at every range – maai “interval.” This is a simple observation, a discussion of fact, not a normative evaluation of its merits. Like most traditional martial arts we are discussing contact range – closeContinue reading “RANGES OF COMBAT”