ushiro shikko?

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[dapidmini]

I've been practicing aikido for almost 3 years now but I was practicing it in my first dojo for 2 years and about six months in my second dojo (present). one of the things I realized is that the instructors of the 2 dojos teach different procedures of doing ushiro shikko.

the first dojo teaches to drag the left knee back so it's side by side with the right knee (assume I start with the left knee points forward, sitting in kisa), drag it backwards, then spread the left knee again to make L shape with the right leg and so on.

but the second dojo teaches to drag the right ankle back (still assume I start with the left knee points forward) so that my right foot is facing to the back while lifting my left knee (front leg) and bottom off the ground, then drag the left leg backwards to make an L shape with the right leg while lowering my bottom to touch my ankles again.

which procedures is correct? I hope my description is clear enough.. I've tried the second procedure but I feel weird.. is it just my imagination?

[ChrisHein]

Correct is a hard thing to get at. The easy answer is: in the first dojo, their method is correct, in the second dojo their method is. You should ask lots of questions to each, and see what it is that they are trying to teach with their method.

Aikido is a system, it points to a series of valuable lessons. These lessons can be understood and interpreted many different ways. The real goal for you is to get at the heart of what Aikido is pointing at, then you can practice and share your interpretations.

[Basia Halliop]

Take the opportunity and learn both ways.

[Walter Martindale]

Take the opportunity and learn both ways.

Yup... the more "ways" you can do something (specially without having to think about it) the better.

[dapidmini]

ic... since my first dojo is located in another island I guess I'll have to wait awhile to ask them..

my next question is: do you slap the mat when doing ukemi? whether it's mae or ushiro or simple fall to the back. because again, my second dojo insists that we don't make any noises at all when falling. but every video I've seen so far uses slapping to dissipate the force. my guess is that they don't want to disturb the neighborhood but doesn't that make the aikido training incorrect?

[akiy]

Hi David,

Please start new threads for new topics, as doing so helps keep the discussions separate and tidy.

Thank you,

-- Jun