Thread: Shihonage Ukemi
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Old 08-03-2010, 08:13 AM   #18
DH
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Re: Shihonage Ukemi

Quote:
Rabih Shanshiry wrote: View Post
Dan,

I totally agree that we should be learning how to neutralize attacks via aiki. It makes perfect sense. A crude analogy being learning to make posion without being taught the antidote. Not a really good idea.

That said - don't you think there is still a place for traditional ukemi in that most people on the street will not be trained fighters or aiki masters able to neutralize a well executed technique? Therefore, there is some benefit for shi'te (nage) to learn how to take the opponent to the ground. Without a cooperative uke willing to go the ground, it makes the kata training difficult. I think there is also a benefit for uke learning how to properly fall to avoid injury for those times when you are not able to neutralize the attack.

Overall, your point is well is taken and I do agree we should be training "aiki ukemi" - which is non-existent in today's Aikido as far as I can see.

...rab
Hi Bud
Of course I trhink you need to take ukemi. That's why I wrote this in the post silly...
Quote:
then can we not see that percentagewise we only need to occasionally fall down to let nage learn to complete, but that for the larger portions of practice uke can be learning to neutralize and save their bodies from needing to take falls, and that Nage can indeed learn to apply more powerful locks
To flip that back on ya, what the hell is the point of always falling down or always going with it?
Having a balanced position on these things means exactly that; a balanced position, a seamless whole.
Learning/ taking ukemi
learning to have IP/aiki
Learning to use aiki to both do and to neutralize (I am not referring to externally countering waza with counter waza yet)
Then learning to counter waza with waza...through ukemi
Then learing to neutralize and counter waza witrh aiki and technique- now joined.
It's a total package.
I find it intriguing that my own early instincts about ukemi turns out to have been not only spot on, but a behind the scenes practice method of some of the experts. Made a lot of sense to me twenty years ago when no one else was talking about it...and even more now. It was a more complete picture of doing and having aiki in Aikido to me. Apparently the teachers I train with agree. Makes for some truly profound and powerful aikido
I think it's all about balance-yes pun intented.
Cheers
Dan

Last edited by DH : 08-03-2010 at 08:23 AM.
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