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Old 07-25-2009, 07:10 PM   #236
Misogi-no-Gyo
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 498
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Re: Is It Missing In Everybody's Aikido?

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
A running back with the ball is deep at the 20, zoning in for the touchdown. The only person in his way is a bullet of a defensive back right behind him, who's got the running back in his sights and is closing the distance fast. The running back keeps his beeline for the end zone. The defender sees his opportunity and dives for the tackle, but the running back manages to evade it with a slight twist of his hips and runs on true for the 6. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki?
Definitely not! Not even close!

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Chen Xiaowang of Chen village is balanced on one foot as another man pushes quite audibly on him. Chen Xiaowang stands his ground and doesn't budge. This is surely "IT" but is it aiki? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldH40uF_f28)
Definitely not Aiki! Not even close! However, I am most sure that is not the best he can do, as lowly old me, even with my poor, mostly unproven skills can do that with about 1/10th the effort the sifu seemed to be putting out in that clip. Very, very low level from what I have seen and quite low compared to what I could do almost 10 years ago.

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Roy Dean is rolling with his BJJ teacher, Roy Harris. Their BJJ style is relaxed and wastes little energy. Dean is about to put Harris into an arm bar but doesn't quite have the right setup, as Harris keeps his arm bent and close to his centerline above his head; meanwhile, Harris grabs Dean's leg and puts painful pressure on Dean's ankle using the top of his head. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RuXLocNAkg)
Definitely not Aiki, or IT! Not even close!

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Mohammed Ali and James Toney use rope-a-dope to tire out their opponents, lying on the ropes and using their superior defense and stamina to take punishing blows without much damage, waiting for their opponent to tire and potshotting whenever an opening presents itself. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki?
Definitely not Aiki, or IT! Not even close!

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
A matador uses his red cape to lead a charging, enraged bull safely past him. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki?
Definitely not Aiki, or IT! Not even close!

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Wing Tsun practitioners practice chi sau, sticky hands drills, using tactile sensitivity and ingrained instinctual motor responses to form bridges with their partner, sense motion and intention, and respond accordingly. Their bodies don't deviate much from the centerline. The punches come fast and intense. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki?
Definitely not Aiki! Not even close! However, I do think that properly training with this method may lead somewhat to a subset of IT

Quote:
Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
An old farmer who cannot weigh much more than 150 lbs has spent the majority of his life carrying heavy sacks of grain long distances around his farm and will continue to do so up until the day he dies. Is this "IT"? Is this "aiki"?
Definitely not Aiki, or IT! Not even close!

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Taichichuan practitioners train in push hands, moving slowly and fluidly. They circle and spiral around each other, each seeking to unbalance the other. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki?
Definitely not Aiki! Not even close! However, I do think that properly training with this method may lead somewhat to a subset of IT

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
A cook is carrying a heavy pot of veal broth in his hands and has difficulty opening a heavy swinging door to get into the freezer. He leans his side up against the door, braces his feet, and pushes with his legs, popping open the door far enough to allow him to slip inside. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki?
Definitely not Aiki, or IT! Not even close! However the same demonstration could be done using both IT and Aiki, but someone who was watching would more than likely never be able to tell that the two things were done differently

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
A circus performer is forming the base of a human tower, the feet of his fellow performers planted firmly on each others shoulders. He is supporting close to 5 times his own bodyweight. Is this "IT"? Is this aiki?
Definitely not Aiki, or IT! Not even close!

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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
I don't presume to know the answer to any of these questions,
Now that you have the answers to your questions, what will you do with them?
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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
I'd just like examples of "IT" and aiki.
If you are looking for it, try Dan, Mike, Akuzawa Sensei, as they have all found agreement that they have IT. I would not disagree, and if interested in IT, would more than likely seek them out when the moment presented itself. As for Aiki, if you are referring to the Aiki of O-Sensei, well that is a horse of a different color...
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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Is one a method of obtaining the other?
Most definitely not!
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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Is it the only method?
See above!
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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
Are they the same thing?
Again, see above
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Sy Labthavikul wrote: View Post
If not, can you have one and not the other?
Most definitely... and I would most certainly go and see Mike, or Akuzawa Sensei if you were interested in doing so.

...best in training to all.

.

I no longer participate in or read the discussion forums here on AikiWeb due to the unfair and uneven treatment of people by the owner/administrator.
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