Aikido is effective self-defense
Aikido is effective self-defense because we deal with what is, here, now: not what should be or what could be or what we want it to be.
Aikido helps us cut through the denial, minimization, and rationalization. Our minds, bodies and spirits come together in the moment. Maybe later we can talk about what we should have done or what could have happened. By practicing being here, now, we develop awareness for when something feels off. Our neck hairs may prickle or our ears pick up a strange vibration. Maybe the air smells different or we catch a flash out of the corner of our eye…or maybe we notice a change of tone or nuance of body language. We learn to believe ourselves. We pay attention and most importantly we stay, with what is, here, now. Aikido is effective self-defense because we are awake. We can do what we need to do to stay safe. The situation will provide the details we need to get to resolution and safety. |
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Playing the devil's advocate i have to say that being awake (literally and figuratively) is a necessary precondition for "doing it", but we still need to know what to do (which strategy to employ).
And of course Aikido has a strategy (which might slightly differ depending on with whom you train) as well. You just didn't mention this part. |
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Thank you for pointing that out. I did not mention technique because I assumed it was a given...I see now that it is not. :)
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O-Sensei is said to have stated "learn 1000 techniques and then forget them" as technique will be born spontaneously in the moment after having practiced countless hours to develop the aikido mind and body connection. i think this ties in with the last part of Mary's first post.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uwO...&frags=pl%2Cwn
a good example of irimi nage and not beating on someone who is done with their assault. maybe he could a bit more efficient, but he got there. |
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Seriously? Either you know how to fight and react to a situation or there is no self-defense. Plain and simple.
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Except he applied an RNC, which is not taught in classic Aikido.
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That's what I wrote. The fact that you don't see it is your problem not mine. |
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While it is unknown if the defender had studied aikido, it is clear that he had some kind of training from his reactions. My point was that this was a real world example of a threat scenario that many aikido dojo train to respond to, and a demonstration that an effective defense is achievable through training. Your mileage may vary depending on how you train.
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Whether or not it was Aikido is irrelevant. The defender kept his wits about him, didn't directly intercept the blow (which was indeed a yokomen type of strike), just stepped inside it and let it go by before trapping the attackers arm. The defenders behavior reflected a lot of Aikido principles and, all in all, he did a fine job. The fact that he was twice the size of the attacker surely didn't hurt. I thought the defender showed a lot of restraint considering the situation. Once he neutralized the attack he could have easily pulverized the attacker and chose not to.
Ron |
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Ron |
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It seems to me that we may need to define the difference between self-defence and fighting. I believe that it is not the same, but people seem to discuss one measured by the standard of the other quite often.
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Since it seems no one is rushing to their bookshelves to pull a quote, I'll put this one out there in the spirit of keeping things friendly.
"I had an official position in the government and instructed at several military academies. The training at those academies was purely technical, focusing on the means of victory in battle. The guiding principle was "killing the enemy with one blow." Unfortunately, very few of those military men truly understood the concepts of loyalty and sincerity. Of course, there were some noble and brave officers who made great sacrifices for their country. However, the purpose of Aikido is to avoid killing another human being at all cost. It is never to be used for fighting and contention." (The Heart of Aikido, p 99. Kodansha USA, 2013. Original Japanese title Takemusu Aikido, translated by John Stevens.) Interestingly, something I've found in my research into Kobu/Aikibudo of the 1930s is the seeming separation (or a recognition of the separate yet overlapping nature) of Ueshiba's aikibudo from his goshinjutsu (self defense arts). We have the above quote where he flat out states (or if you prefer is quoted as stating) "It (Aikido) is never to be used for fighting or contention." As a quoted statement of personal philosophy we can, for our purposes, call this data point one. Now, considering that Ueshiba lived a long and storied life I'm certain we can find quotes from him seeming to contradict this statement. I'm curious to see what everyone else can uncover. |
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