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Bruce Baker · 12-17-2002, 06:45 AM

I am pleased I am not the only one who brings about the theory of Aikido verses the practical applications, but ....

Did you read the thread about catching punches? That along with learning the blocks,which are really strikes, for the kickers or puncher's own art, you will find that your Aikido has room for all of these defensive and offensive movements, if you do not close your mind to the possibility of adding to Aikido as the situation warrants.

You might say, in the American venacular, you are playing possum with being able to intercept punches, divert or dodge kicks, and then use the movements of Aikido when the opportunity in introduced by you or the attackers own overconfidence.

Not everybody can stare down someone or have the means to back it up, so diversionary tactics are not uncommon for protection in the martial sense.

Still, another method of learning to deal with kicks and punches is to have someone practice attacking you with a jo while you are reduce to handblades that defend/ divert the attacks. That is a pretty Aiki way to simulate punches and kicks without breaking stride with Aikido training.

When you train, stop thinking about what you going to do, and start letting the brain react to what you see. Too simple? That is one of the key methods of learning to speed up your reflexes so that the punches and kicks seem to be coming in slow motion, which in fact, is where Aikido shines in actual application.

Ma'ai? Yeah ... you can't do certain things if the timing and distance is wrong. If it is wrong, you are just asking for trouble.

Hence, as much as direction to correct your timing and distance is as much wrong as it is right. Makes no difference when you are too slow to use techniques at a proper speed in the proper application over a given distance and time allotment to complete the technique.

That is the real kicker about using aikido against other types of martial arts, just how good is your application of timing and distance?

What do you need to do to make Aikido applicable?

And ... do you need to add other defensive measures that will protect you until you reach that level of practice?

I say, add what you need until you can get there from here ... it is but part of the journey.

12-17-2002, 06:45 AM	#7
Bruce Baker Dojo: LBI Aikikai/LBI ,NJ Location: Barnegaat, NJ Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 893 Offline	Good awareness practice I am pleased I am not the only one who brings about the theory of Aikido verses the practical applications, but .... Did you read the thread about catching punches? That along with learning the blocks,which are really strikes, for the kickers or puncher's own art, you will find that your Aikido has room for all of these defensive and offensive movements, if you do not close your mind to the possibility of adding to Aikido as the situation warrants. You might say, in the American venacular, you are playing possum with being able to intercept punches, divert or dodge kicks, and then use the movements of Aikido when the opportunity in introduced by you or the attackers own overconfidence. Not everybody can stare down someone or have the means to back it up, so diversionary tactics are not uncommon for protection in the martial sense. Still, another method of learning to deal with kicks and punches is to have someone practice attacking you with a jo while you are reduce to handblades that defend/ divert the attacks. That is a pretty Aiki way to simulate punches and kicks without breaking stride with Aikido training. When you train, stop thinking about what you going to do, and start letting the brain react to what you see. Too simple? That is one of the key methods of learning to speed up your reflexes so that the punches and kicks seem to be coming in slow motion, which in fact, is where Aikido shines in actual application. Ma'ai? Yeah ... you can't do certain things if the timing and distance is wrong. If it is wrong, you are just asking for trouble. Hence, as much as direction to correct your timing and distance is as much wrong as it is right. Makes no difference when you are too slow to use techniques at a proper speed in the proper application over a given distance and time allotment to complete the technique. That is the real kicker about using aikido against other types of martial arts, just how good is your application of timing and distance? What do you need to do to make Aikido applicable? And ... do you need to add other defensive measures that will protect you until you reach that level of practice? I say, add what you need until you can get there from here ... it is but part of the journey.