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Old 03-23-2006, 01:36 PM   #17
Michael O'Brien
Dojo: Nashville Aikikai
Location: Nashville, Tn
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 288
United_States
Offline
Re: Are we not aggressive enough?

I agree many do not give a committed and for many it is because they either don't know how, are afraid of hurting their partner, or both (IMHO).

Fortunately coming from a MA background I knew how to give a solid attack and my Sensei makes me do it. When I first started training I wasn't sure if we were actually supposed to throw the attack with the intention of making contact. After a couple of Shomen strikes whizzed down cutting the air 3" or so in front of Sensei's face and he stood there not moving I asked "Is there something wrong with my attack?" and he answered "Yes, you aren't hitting me. If you don't hit me then I have no reason to defend myself." That cleared it up for me.

With students who can't handle a full speed shomen or tsuki I'll attack fully committed to make solid contact at about half speed or whatever they are capable of blending with. The occasional shomen to the forehead or punch to the chest is good encouragement to get offline. LOL

Harmony does not mean that there are no conflicts,
for the dynamic spiral of existence embraces both extremes.
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