Proving yourself.

I have been challenged by one person, he was never taught in a dojo, he was just a street brawler, that could fight. one part of me really wanted to kick his A$$, but I did not and I feel much better.
but another time a friend of mine said show me aikido, I did kotegaeshi, and he resisted, he said it will only work if I let you! so I really didn't want to hurt him, but at that point I had to prove my skill, I lowered my center and did a Tenkan and down he went. on the carpet, lying there with a sore wrist. I told him you should never resist, because that's when people get hurt. Well he never asked again, and wants to train at my dojo,

Justin wrote:

Not at all in my opinion. The real test is in real life, not an Army training ground, or a gym or ring for that matter, where an unplanned and unvoidable attack comes at you, most likely from someone who does not spend time training in combatives.

like a guy jumping out from behind a building with a big stick? Or Knife, or even with his empty hands.

You assume that my training conditions are against trained opponents, or that is what we would incur. The conditions are no different for soldiers than civilians...we face the same populace. Difference would be the level of preparedness or armament. So, yes I do see your point there.

However, we train for all kinds of situtationos. I at least OVERTRAIN. That is my skills to be successful with the general populace as best I can, were attained long ago.

Fact is, you cannot simply mitigate every situation the way you want it. Sometimes you may lose if the cards are stacked against you.

I've been mugged a few times in DC. Never once had an issue physically, gave him my money and said thank you and went on his way.

What exactly are you looking for??? Kato to jump out from behind a tree?

Jean,

I'd never be so presumptious to even begin to say I can change aikido for everyone else. I can only change it for myself and make it mine.

I only throw out what I throw out there to help those that may be struggling in the same way I am. It was important to me to test myself with my skills learned through aikido. They did not hold up without some significant training in order to respond more appropriately to someone that does not want to play the same way.

I have learned how to work through two ranges, albeit it is not perfect, but I feel much more comfortable than I did a few years ago.

I believe it possilbe to train in these two ranges and improve, that is through the combining of two methdologies: aikido and BJJ.

However, I think they can also be taught with no changes to either system. That is, my opinion is that you can continue to train in aikido, in fact there is nothing wrong with it principally, I have found nothing wrong with the way it is commonly taught.

Those that choose to explore other things that aikido does not focus on can support or augment there training in other ways.

For me, it has been important to synthesize what I have learned. In the end, it may end up looking like aikido again...who knows. At least for now, I can manage myself in the chaos of non-compliance a little better, and move out into using proper principles and show how they apply a little.

That is all.

Appreciate your taking the time to understand a little more.

Kevin Leavitt wrote: The conditions are no different for soldiers than civilians..

If you're on a battlefield or military base, for example, they most certainly are.