The continued Evolution of Aikido
Arts are simply evolving or dying. This is a natural progression of evolution. It simply happens. There many methodologies of Aikido, Jujutsu, which is a testament to this fact. Several of these methods focus on pushing and pulling, with many similarities. They also focus on wrist, elbows, submissions and pins. Perhaps these methods are becoming closer together, maybe as one. Should we as Aikidoka sit back and stagnate our methodology. Or should we evolve Aikido, arming ourselves with the best knowledge possible to move Aikido to the next stage of progression? Should the Aikikai organization and it's many practitioners advocate for a different methodology of practice to test our skills? Should Aikido take on a different form? Perhaps this has already happen with some styles of Aikido to a lessor degree. Maybe it's time for evolution to move us forward.
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Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
I guess I would offer up two thoughts. The first is that IF aikido chooses to respond to the popular culture, then I could see aikido bifurcating into two directions. One is an art that is more interested in the "spiritual" benefits of aikido and the other is one that "devolves" back toward its daito ryu roots and incorporates current MMA concepts, more resistive training, and is interested in becoming more of a ring fighting sport or art.
On the other hand since so few people reach a truly advanced level of aikido, and those that do tend to be old enough that they won't be seen competing in competitive martial arts, perhaps we will never know what aikido truly is capable of. |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
The evolution of aikido is the evolution of the art in your own life. The Founder, O Sensei, taught shomenuchi ikkyo suwari waza in every single class he taught. Where was the evolution in that? It was there.
In gassho, Mark |
Evolution?
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Circumstance in aikido is what makes people want to do it, and stay doing it. That does not necessarily have anything to do with self-defense. Actually, aikido stands out as a budo in the way it accepts diversity and very different ways of doing it. See Osensei's direct student, whose aikido is quite different from the founder's - and from each other. I am glad that aikido is not homogenized, because that would surely kill creativity within it, and destroy the possibility of change and development. |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
I found these clips of a great practitioner of Aikido. Although not a high dan holder, definitely a well rounded, competent, very professional individual. Ron Dean is definitely a class act and approaches the disciplines in a non arrogant, open minded way, that I truly respect. I think it's individuals like him, that may propel the younger Aikidoka to evolve Aikido. Enjoy the below clips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SivWAcPlzFg&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D10w1VFGZh0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7GfQdB9a8Y&NR=1 |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
I'm into the continued Revolution of the Art.
Best, Jen |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
I think Salim raises and interesting point, one that has been often included in other threads, adding BJJ or Kali or Systema or similar style to the art is a natural progression here in the states...especially with the growth of MMA.
From an outsiders point of view, I am a surprised by the number dojos that offer, yoga, systema, judo, or tai chi as part of their curriculum...maybe thats a business decision...meeting the demand of the consumer or perhaps its the circular evolution of the art...getting back to its martial roots. It has been discussed in this forum repeatedly that many of the Aikido founders had years training other styles prior to beginning Aikido...someone here mentioned Aikido as a kind of finishing school, I agree with that assumption...studying Aikido solely on its own merits, the only art one has practiced may be doing the practioner a diservice. Please note that I am not inferring in any way that Aikido is or is not effective on its own. This is certainly not an altruism...just a perspective. It seems to me that there are many complimentary martial styles that enhance one's martial experience. |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
Hi Larry,
I would be very interested in hearing which Aikido dojo offer Systema as part of their curriculum. As I understand it Mr. Vasiliev is very particular that Systema be taught on it's own, not as part of another art's curriculum. Thanks Charles |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
Oops, correction. I said Ron Dean earlier in my post. It's Roy Dean, from Roy Dean Academy. I think he has a fantastic approach to the evolution ok Aikido.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SivWAcPlzFg&NR=1 |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
does aikido need evolving? or is it that us human need evolving? for alien folks, especially martians, please keep your hands or limbs down. :)
*sarcasm mode on* I think I need to talk to my iaido sensei on the need of its to evolve. what with all the drawing and cutting air. we need to do some blood letting. oh wait! I did bleed a couple of times while sheathing the blade by sticking it into my hand. it definitely need evolving because I want to see some blood and guts spilling all over. we might even want to add some 9mm into the kata. And what with the tea ceremony that takes two hours for a cup of tea. just dump the thing into a cup, put some water, shove it into a microwave, zap it for a few minutes and voila hot tea coming up. no fuss no muss. *sarcasm mode off* |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
I agree with Sensei Stenudd. I think that the beauty of Aikido is that there are so many interpretations to it. No one else will be like O sensei, he didn't even need forms in his late years.
I think Aikido itself evolves in everyone. Just like O sensei's transition from being more rough to being very soft and refined. Apparently my sensei and his sensei also underwent that transition although they still focus on the martial aspect. Right now there are so many interpretations of the art. There are people doing it very softly and even dance-like to being very martial, rougher and with more use of atemi. There are people who prefer more circular motion, there are those who like more linear motions. You get teachers who also teach iaido and zazen or teachers who don't even use weapons and integrate shinto practices. And they're all fine. They create an art that suit themselves, their own bodies, minds and intentions. As Chiba sensei said: "You are not going to perfect anybody else's art but your own. One comes to understand that there is no comparison between one's art and another's, just as the value of each individual life is beyond comparison." |
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Maybe 'curriculum' was the wrong word to use here but the arts are offered at these dojos. There are a couple of local San Diego dojos one Aikido, actually the above mentioned Roy Dean used to offer BJJ classes here as well. http://sandiegoaikido.com/ and one Aiki Jujitsu http://www.dojoofthefourwinds.com/about.html Not sure if Mr Vasiliev has much say as to where his arts are offered as there might not be a formal association of Systema and it might be hard to keep the Genie back in the bottle once you let her out. |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
Sorry Kevin,
I have no idea where "Larry" came from! I don't know about the San Diego dojo, but I do know that the 4 winds dojo offers Systema as a separate class. Mr. Vasiliev has a much tighter control now as his instructor certifications have an expiration date on them. (at least that is what I have heard) Again sorry Kevin. (no chance you'll change your name? No?:)) Charles |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
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Here's a great video clip that demonstrates and explains tactile sensitivity, which is something that is not often taught in most Aikido dojos today. This is part of the continued evolution of Aikido, that may be the next step for the younger open minded Aikidoka. I hope you enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D10w1VFGZh0 |
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Good Vids by Roy Dean, he is certainly someone to keep an eye on...BJJ/Judo are great compliments to aikido, especially in one on one engagements or where the Aikidoka is struggling with a much larger/stronger foe. They can be applied in a harmonious manner that falls in line with Aikido principles. |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
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Aikido has nothing to do with bjj, MMA or UFC :D Only very superficial observers would want to transplant the methodology of sports into aikido practice. In the same way - only very beginner and inexperienced aikidoka would want to mix elements of judo, bjj, MT..etc with aikido. You may like it or no, but Founder meant aikido as misogi, and aikido techniques are tools to achieve this goal. What systema or bjj have to do with misogi? - nothing at all. These arts have simply different goals, so in reality their techniques will develop bad conditioning in the body and mind of aikidoka. Not for nothing Founder got very angry when his uchideshi used judo techniques instead aikido techniques during a class. One must have very deep knowledge of human nature and did tons of ikkyo when we talk about modification of tools that transform body and mind. We are not here on the level of building speed of entry for a technique, or power of throw. These proprieties are only byproducts of internal transformation, not primary goals. Of course, you can limit your aikido practice to improve its physical elements only, but then you can’t use word of ‘evolution’ – it will be simply pretentious LOL. |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D10w1VFGZh0 Many of the earlier practitioners of Aikido, direct students of the Founder, such as Kenji Tomiki and Minoru Mochizuki advocated Judo and propelled the methodology of Judo with their Aikido. Below is proof of the connection of Aikido/Judo. "There are, moreover, several interesting historical connections between Aikido and Judo. Kano witnessed a demonstration by Morihei Ueshiba in 1930 which resulted in him sending several of his top Judoka to study under the Aikido Founder. Kenji Tomiki, the creator of Tomiki-style Aikido - often referred to as "Sport Aikido" was an advanced practitioner of Judo in the 1920s and strongly influenced by Kano's theories. Tomiki later became a prominent figure in the development of prewar Aikido and a senior instructor at the Kobukan Dojo. Another fascinating historical sidelight is the fact that Admiral Isamu Takeshita, who would later become an enthusiastic student and patron of Morihei Ueshiba, arranged for top-ranking Judo instructor Yoshiaki Yamashita to visit the United States in the early 1900s where he taught jujutsu to President Theodore Roosevelt." With all due respect. I'm not really interested in an intellectual debate to massage your ego or advocate the principles of flowing Aikido dance moves. I'm not interested in experiencing some introspective, religious, spiritual awakening from Aikido. I was merely speaking to individuals who would like to foster or evolve their Aikido to the next level of martial excellence. Those who want to arm themselves with the best knowledge possible to move Aikido to the next stage of progression. The objective is for one to discover who they are. Aikido will mean different things to different people. |
Re: The continued Evolution of Aikido
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1st - 3rd dan are the beginner levels. 4th - 6th dan are intermediate 7 and up are mastery levels While Roy has respectable martial art skills in general, unless Roy is 4th dan or higher in aikido, he is by definition still a beginner at aikido. Rob |
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In gassho, Mark |
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(Of course we all get annoyed when you meet someone with a "grey belt" who must have tied it to the back bumper of their car and drove to the seminars - because after working out with them it is clear that there is no way that belt got so grey from their hard work.) Anyway, my evolution in martial arts has gone the direction of internal martial skills to better power aikido, MMA, and weapons work. I believe that you become the mind you train. So that's something to think about when considering your personal martial evolution. Rob |
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