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[Frank R]

Greetings and salutations (onegaishimasu). My name is Frank and am currently a student of Aikido under the guidance of Rev. Zenko Okimura, Shihan, in the state of Delaware. As we all know, the principles of Aikido should not be any different than our principles in life. With this in mind, I decided to put in writing some of these concepts as a personal learning tool. I am writing about uke. Is anyone out-there with information about the significance of uke you would like to share?
Thanks.

[Nick Simpson]

Theres many folks on here with much more experiance and wisdom to share than me, anyways, I think the role of uke is possibly the most crucial part of aikido training, it allows you to practice safely if you develop your ukemi, it allows you to feel a correct technique from someone who knows how to perform it (the best way to learn technique in my opinion). The better uke you are then more advanced techniques can be put on you at a harder rate therefore increasing your learning and study of aikido. Being uke also conditions your mind and body to pain, knowing that you can take several hours of beatings (courses) is a nice thought to have if you are threatened in a self defence situation, "I might not be able to dish it out but I can sure take it." Being uke is my favourite part of aikido :)

On a sidenote Delaware rules, you listen to BoySetsFire by any chance?

[akiy]

Hi Frank,

Welcome to the AikiWeb Forums and thank you for your introduction!

You may want to start up a thread on your thoughts (and others) on uke in the General forum to get more traffic. If it's any help, I personally consider ukemi to be the most important part of aikido practice...

-- Jun

[Frank R]

Theres many folks on here with much more experiance and wisdom to share than me, anyways, I think the role of uke is possibly the most crucial part of aikido training, it allows you to practice safely if you develop your ukemi, it allows you to feel a correct technique from someone who knows how to perform it (the best way to learn technique in my opinion). The better uke you are then more advanced techniques can be put on you at a harder rate therefore increasing your learning and study of aikido. Being uke also conditions your mind and body to pain, knowing that you can take several hours of beatings (courses) is a nice thought to have if you are threatened in a self defence situation, "I might not be able to dish it out but I can sure take it." Being uke is my favourite part of aikido :)

On a sidenote Delaware rules, you listen to BoySetsFire by any chance?

Thanks, Mr. Simpson for the response. My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. Sorry, I don't know who or what is BoySetsFire. Please inform. On another note, the physical attributes are somehow easier to understand. I agree that Uke is most significant in one's physical development, as well as nage's development. If one were to transcend this concept into everyday life and in our interaction with both kohai and sempai, I cannot help but feel there are great lessons here to be learn as we struggle to humble ourselves and control our high regards for who we think we are. Does that makes sense? A good example of this is what transpired during the discussion on how to teach children. A simple request from its initiator turned to be somewhat a tee-for-tat exchange, in my opinion, simply because some found it difficult to blend as "uke" and others felt obligated to be the forceful nage. In any case, I am trying to find some parallel between Uke on the mat and uke in our daily life. Just a thought. Thanks.