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Old 05-09-2007, 02:20 AM   #3
Amir Krause
Dojo: Shirokan Dojo / Tel Aviv Israel
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 692
Israel
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Re: How I'd teach Aikido

Changing the way a M.A. is taught is actually creating a new M.A.

M.A. are characterized by the teaching methodology, just as much as they are characterized by techniques, preferable distances and situations.

The Aikido teaching paradigm defines Aikido. This is a matter of essence, and changing it is an act of creating a new Martial Art, similar but never the same.

Some examples:
If you took out the competitions from Tomiki Aikido, it will change everything.
If you take out the Kihon Dosa, or the stepwise approach from Yoshinkan Aikido, you will get something else.
If you take out any of the pillars of Korindo: Tai-Sabaki, Randori or Kata, you will get something else entirely.

The way of teaching is part of the molding of a specific result. This is one of the essences of a martial art, much more so then any specific technique one does in one variation, or another or not at all.

Amir
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