In many styles of aikido, it is said to be necessary to enter, even to turn...even if that entry is psychological, or just about connection.
I kind of like the idea of keeping the term "Aiki" linked to physical practice. It's kind of easy to get all woo woo without that. At the same time, I do believe in "connecting at a distance" with your opponent / partner, having experienced it many times on the mat, and at least once outside of the dojo where it seemed to provide a major benefit to me.
http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthre...lly#post201800
I don't know whether this incident is "aikido" or not...but it does seem to fit what some describe as the "strategy" of aikido, if you accept that there is strategy in aikido.
In my present thinking, I would not call what I did above Aikido...but I would say that I utilized my Aikido keiko and it's lessons to get through that experience.
Best,
Ron