Aikido pedagogy has a recurring failure mode: it introduces words long before it stabilizes their referents. Terms like center, connection, and timing are used frequently but imprecisely, because they are experienced with the body (somatically). The very point of practice is to refine how those concepts are felt, both individually and in a partnered exchange.Continue reading “THE AXIS OF THE ENCOUNTER”
Tag Archives: tanren
AIKIDO AS A FORGE
I have been focusing on tanren-geiko and drawing out a muscular pressure from both uke and nage in order to cultivate honest training. “Whatever has value in the present world has it not in itself, according to its nature—but rather because it has been given value, and frequently because it was regarded as valuable byContinue reading “AIKIDO AS A FORGE”
GYAKU HANMI PROGRESSION
A class outline for progressive techniques from static gyaku hanmi katatae dori Gyaku hanmi katatae dori: what is it? A hand grab. Why? Uke stop-hits a thrust, taking control of nage’s knife hand. From the grab, each player needs to match extension to create the dynamic tension necessary for a static encounter. Nage’s focus isContinue reading “GYAKU HANMI PROGRESSION”
Protective Arts 