Aikido – Dynamics & Attack Techniques
“The secret of the Martial Art of Aikido is to harmonize ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself. He who has gained the secret of Aikido has the universe in himself and can say, "I am the universe."” O-Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba
In the Martial Art of Aikido, the body is trained by repetition until it “remembers” the movements. When training, the student’s fitness, flexibility and agility improves automatically. Once the technique is executed correctly, it offers astonishing power.
The fundamental nature of Aikido Attack techniques is two-fold:
1. Body movements are collectively used to create spherical motion.
2. This spherical motion takes place around an unwavering, energized center or axis.
Centering is a critical component to the Martial Art of Aikido.
In physical terms, centering is used to establish balance and to stabilize the student’s posture. To master centering, the Aikido student is taught to develop a relaxed posture. This relaxed posture is achieved by transferring the weight of the body to the lower abdomen. This transfer in weight translates into a lower centre of gravity, thus changing gravity from an opposing force into a sustaining force. A lowered centre of gravity means a better supported and stabilized posture. The body becomes the axis around which the circle of graceful and efficient movements takes place.
In mental terms, centering clears the mind and enables the Aikido student to receive the universal life energy. This energy fills the student with vitality, sensitizes his or her sensory ability and creates a space where the humdrum of daily life does not interfere with the focus required for the tasks at hand. This is the state of having “hara”.
“Aikido is non-resistance. As it is non-resistant, it is always victorious.” O-Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba.
In the Martial Art of Aikido, the consequence of correctly executing techniques when having “hara” is impressive. The movements of the student could release an immense latent power, thus sending an opponent sprawling or stop an attacker in his tracks by means of simple and nifty movements.
The outcome of these movements is the product of appropriately employed leverage, inertia, gravity, centrifugal and centripetal forces. As O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba predicted, the power put out by an aggressor during attack is returned unto him with interest, resulting in his defeat. To put it simply, the student is trained to capture the opponent’s action and to use that very action against the attacker. In redirecting the attack, the Aikido student is taught never to “over-redirect” and to maintain balance regardless of the conditions.
The dynamics of Aikido training also applies to daily life. Performing that which needs to be done in daily life from a centered position greatly enhances the ability to achieve one’s potential with success.