Grounding and surfing

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[mathewjgano]

I've heard mention that activities like surfing or skiing might share some important principles with aiki. As a skiier I've used ki exercises to help me shred through a mogul field when I notice I'm getting exhausted, so I can see some general ways in which they might affect learning for each other. However I'm particularly interested in the idea of the "ground path" or whatever folks can think of in terms of grounding as the basis for moving with power.
The most readily apparent benefit to my mind is the idea of having a base which is in constant flux, yet which remains somewhat balanced and somewhat powerful. Am I correct to assume there's a direct relationship here?
Obviously there is a gradient involved here so I'm not saying if you can surf you can do a particularly good ground path. I'm just curious if juxtaposing these activities might yield something useful for those of us who enjoy them.
Take care,
Matt

[Alfonso]

Hi Matthew IMHO there is an overlap but the thing about ski/snow/surf is that you're dealing with forces that act on your entire body rather than the type of focused interaction that happens when dealing with another person.
(the overlap with using mind/intent to reflect forces acting on you, grounding). Currently I think Aiki is applied to body/body interaction so no overlap there.

[ramenboy]

hey matthew

good point... i've always felt aikido definitely helped my rock climbing. all the same principles come into play; don't overgrip, keep good posture, move smoothly through the hips, keep the weight centered between the feet, use your legs...

[mathewjgano]

Hi Matthew IMHO there is an overlap but the thing about ski/snow/surf is that you're dealing with forces that act on your entire body rather than the type of focused interaction that happens when dealing with another person.
(the overlap with using mind/intent to reflect forces acting on you, grounding). Currently I think Aiki is applied to body/body interaction so no overlap there.

Hi Alfonso,
Good point about the body-to-body interaction. I can see how that might be the real crux of aiki development, whether it's the grounding componant or whatever. From what little I can tell, there's also an important skill in being able to search through the structure of a training partner and you certainly cannot get that from skiing, etc.

[mathewjgano]

hey matthew

good point... i've always felt aikido definitely helped my rock climbing. all the same principles come into play; don't overgrip, keep good posture, move smoothly through the hips, keep the weight centered between the feet, use your legs...

Thanks, Jerome,
Do you get the sense that rock climbing has helped you with the ability to not be uprooted or otherwise have a more stable base?

[phitruong]

I've heard mention that activities like surfing or skiing might share some important principles with aiki. As a skiier I've used ki exercises to help me shred through a mogul field when I notice I'm getting exhausted, so I can see some general ways in which they might affect learning for each other. However I'm particularly interested in the idea of the "ground path" or whatever folks can think of in terms of grounding as the basis for moving with power.

Take care,
Matt

The last time i was skiing in Park City, UT, i took a "wrong turn at Albuquerque" and went down the mogul slope from hell. I found lots of ground paths, so much so that folks thought that i was part groundhog. also found out that my ukemi skill was really good, at least my chiropractor said "that nothing he couldn't fix"; although the speech impediment might be permanent. :D

[mathewjgano]

The last time i was skiing in Park City, UT, i took a "wrong turn at Albuquerque" and went down the mogul slope from hell. I found lots of ground paths, so much so that folks thought that i was part groundhog. also found out that my ukemi skill was really good, at least my chiropractor said "that nothing he couldn't fix"; although the speech impediment might be permanent. :D

LOL! :p

[ramenboy]

Thanks, Jerome,
Do you get the sense that rock climbing has helped you with the ability to not be uprooted or otherwise have a more stable base?

ha! hey y ou know matthew, i've always looked at this one-sided.... how aikido has helped me in my climibing, but never the other way around!

that's definitely something to think about now...

[Aikibu]

I am a life long surfer and yes there are a few things that Aikido helps with or vice versa...

Balance...

Centering...

Focus...

Relaxation/Non-resistance under duress

William Hazen

[jennifer paige smith]

I am a life long surfer and yes there are a few things that Aikido helps with or vice versa...

Balance...

Centering...

Focus...

Relaxation/Non-resistance under duress

William Hazen

Thanks William, your post got me thinking about some other points they share ....

Moving in Principle on an ever changing canvas
Harmony with nature
Confluence
Blending with energy
Entering
Turning
Point of axis evaluation
Hidden
Manifest
Humility
Exaltation

and...Like in life, dominating is only a temporary illusion.

Shaka Bra',
js

[Aikibu]

Thanks William, your post got me thinking about some other points they share ....

Moving in Principle on an ever changing canvas
Harmony with nature
Confluence
Blending with energy
Entering
Turning
Point of axis evaluation
Hidden
Manifest
Humility
Exaltation

and...Like in life, dominating is only a temporary illusion.

Shaka Bra',
js

Aaaaah yes my super duper Wahine all of the above are much exalted benefits Surfing and Aikido...:)

ALOHA!!! (a good one word description of both our loves if you ask me. :) )

William Hazen

[jennifer paige smith]

ALOHA!!! (a good one word description of both our loves if you ask me. :) )

William Hazen

"The aloha spirit is real simple. You give and you give.....and then you give from here (pointing to the heart), until you have nothing else to give."
-Rell Sunn, Queen of Aloha
http://www.rellsunn.com/rell_sunn/index.htm

"Aikido is a manifestation of Love." Morihei

Aloha,
js

[Aikibu]

"The aloha spirit is real simple. You give and you give.....and then you give from here (pointing to the heart), until you have nothing left to give."
-Rell Sunn, Queen of Makaha
http://www.rellsunn.com/rell_sunn/index.htm

Now, that's Budo!

Aloha,
js

I have been blessed with meeting Rell Sunn...and she was truely the spirit of Aloha...:)

I'll bet you're just like her. :)

William Hazen

[Chris Parkerson]

I always felt that doing a good kata garuma on one knee was like getting tubed.

And, of course, what better way to practice all kinds of ukemi than to fall into water.

; )