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Old 10-19-2006, 04:36 AM   #18
Dazzler
Dojo: Bristol North Aikido Dojo
Location: Bristol
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 659
England
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Re: Training for Crisis?

Quote:
Erick Mead wrote:
My point in beginning this discussion was to hone in on methods of aiki training that involve precisely the sense of stress to overcome, which the video illustrates, but with the aiki that it, to my eye, it does not illustrate.

One of the encounters, as I noted above does seem to show more of an aiki aspect (and a better example of appleid kicking in aikido technique that meshes well with the typical openings I have been taught and typically show in the course of performing technique (and one of the more successful defenses shown, too, to my way of thinking.)

If the video be any example, though, it is not, largely, training in methods of aiki, however.

I think you are right here. At this level one principle may be "No one escapes battle unscathed", so chooose the cut you wish to take, and ensure it is the last that you will have to.

On this I also agree, as the provocation of typical "instinctive" responses indicates. What I am looking for are methods to raise the perceived stress and intensity of the encounter, so as to be able to eventually recognize and move past that aspect of the initimidation or fear of the attack in accepting it with aiki and then dealing with what ever technique is presented.


So what is real in that context? Sacrificing the aiki by a general descent to melee, which the video fairly represents, is I think generally counterproductive of the purpose, since it reinforces aspects of aggression that aikido does not rely upon for its psychological underpinning. Bringing that same intensity in another setting is not per se impossible or impractical, it seems to me, in a manner that preserves the aiki approach to the problem.

The assymetry of the weapon is good, but the knife is too fast and close, I would think, for a student jumping off a good kihon foundation. Shinai tachi dori, perhaps, with some defined attacks, progressing to jiyuwaza ? I have done these in the past, but not with this intent in the training.

Hi Eric

Been thinking about this. My view really is that people will be attracted to training in a style and intensity that is appropriate to them.

Specialised training will produce more targetted results than unspecialised training.

an example would be the contrast between a 1500 metre runner and a decathlete.

The closing event of the decathlon is the 1500 metres but they rarely perform as well as specialists despite I am sure training hard for this event.

The purpose of my posts really is to state that I do not believe it is possible to match those that train purely for crisis.

At the same time like the decathletes, a high level of effectiveness can still be obtained along with so much more.

To contribute something positive and more in line with your objective for this thread before the introduction of the clip, I would add that it only requires a bit of adjustment to jiyawaza or scenario training to keep the aiki alive in this more specialised training but it needs careful analysis of the attacks and what is used to work against them to avoid the descent into melee as you put it.

You have highlighted irimi yourself and Ive already mentioned atemi. So we have the basis of a plan. All thats now needed is an acceptance that this is what we want to do and a lesson can be formulated incorporating these and other aiki principles and restraining the urge of tori to do what comes naturally...until it does come naturally. To assist Uke would need to temper the intensity through a range of say 50%, 70%, 90% and full on as skill levels rise.

With respect of any critique of the film..well they are guys working towards what they believe in. I've voiced a few concerns but it is after all only training and the extreme measures required to deal with extreme violence are hard to take and demonstrate.

What is real? Who knows? The reality of everyones life is different.

Respectful regards

D
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