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Old 05-21-2010, 07:25 AM   #15
ruthmc
Dojo: Wokingham Aikido
Location: Reading, UK
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 393
United Kingdom
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Re: The purpose of Aikido?

IIRC, I read that O Sensei once stated before a demo that in order to show Aikido in its true martial spirit he would have to seriously injure his ukes.

If that's what you're looking for, it's there within Aikido, but I doubt you'd find many willing ukes, or be willing to be so injured yourself! (Not to mention the lawsuits afterwards...)

Instead the systems of Aikido that are practised in the modern age allow for the fact that most of us have to work to support ourselves and our families, therefore risking serious injury on some quest for martial supremacy is simply NOT an option

If you cannot see where the true martial side of Aikido is, then you haven't been looking in the right places or with clear vision. I can see it in every technique, but I choose not to apply it fully when on the tatami.

To me Aikido is about self-control and constructive outcomes to confrontation, not about breaking ukes.

Ruth
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