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Old 01-26-2013, 10:43 PM   #21
RonRagusa
Dojo: Berkshire Hills Aikido
Location: Massachusetts
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 824
United_States
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Re: Int. Vs. Ext - resisting a push

Quote:
Chris Hein wrote: View Post
The shoulder isn't floating is space. The ground, through the body, is holding the shoulder up.

so no matter what, when force comes in, if it's not knocking the person over, it's making some kind of 'ground path'. Now, how efficient that 'ground path' is is another story. In an efficient model (one where we stand the best chance of resisting the incoming force), that path should be as simple as possible.
That's what I mean by not providing a resting place for the incoming force. In order for the path you describe to be effective in grounding the force, the point of application of the force must be "open" in order for the force to travel along the path and be grounded. Locking up the point of application will prevent the force from flowing along the path resulting in a clash of forces at the point of contact.

Quote:
Chris Hein wrote: View Post
Redirecting or dispersing is another kind of thing, more in 'Area 2'.
In the first diagram in the series you posted (link below) imagine that the outstretched hand is being pushed. The force will be strongest at the point of contact but will be dispersed and weakened at each angle in the arm; wrist, elbow and shoulder. Try it yourself. Stand in natural stance, feet parallel with your right arm outstretched and rigid, fist clenched palm down and have a partner push on your fist. The next time around rotate your fist 90 degrees clockwise and allow your wrist, elbow and shoulder to relax until they appear as in the diagram. Keeping unbenable arm, have your partner push again. With proper coordination of mind and body you should be able to resist a much more forceful push due to dispersal of the incoming force.

http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/attach...4&d=1359157247

Quote:
Chris Hein wrote: View Post
There is a really tricky point here that I believe you're outlining. The shape of the body receiving force is important. It determines how much force can act on the body.
Of equal importance is the degree of mind/body coordination.

Quote:
Chris Hein wrote: View Post
I'm not sure what you mean by "cycling".
Think of a capacitor. It stores energy and then releases the stored energy all at once back into the circuit. Metaphorically speaking, the same thing can be done with forces applied to the body. Interesting examples of this are found in videos of O Sensei and Gozo Shioda when they bounce ukes off hip, chest and back.

Ron

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