Are There Many Dojo's Teaching Practical Aikido?

Originally posted by Jim ashby Oh lads, oh lads, oh lads (and lasses).As an overweight Nidan, I feel sure that several people could quite easily high kick and or punch me. Could I retaliate? Don't know. Possibly the best thing would be pre-emptive retaliation, as my Sensei teaches occasionally. Gotta go now, us fat blokes will be training soon. Have fun.

I didn't see this one coming.

Sorry Jim, no offence meant -- really.

By the way, I had a taekwondo teacher who was overweight as a youngster. He got involved in soccer then taekwondo as a way (art?) to get in shape. He trained hard and toughened up BIG TIME. I fact, he was like a brick s**t house when I joined his class! He was one of the most talented, strongest, dedicated -- and nicest -- people I've met.

So, just wanted to clear up the fact that I've got nothing against body types!

Jim23

Tom,

Your statement leads me to a more statistical question. You said,
"For example, Katate Morch.How many people are going to grab your wrist before they hit you?"

Just what are the statistics compiled by police units on attacks? I am of the mind that most attackers will try to grab some part of your forearm or clothing (and Katate = anything from the wrist to elbow area) to control you while their other free hand comes in for the strike. Now the strike can be either a fist or a knife or whatever.

Most women are attacked by being grabbed in order for the attacker to control them and overpower them.
That is different from (let's say) two males confronting each other and squaring off eye-to-eye waiting for the other to take the first swing.
Surviving an attack has a lot to do with being aware of your surroundings. Aikido is very effective in teaching the student to be mindful of where they are, what is going on around them, behind them, and how to deflect that initial attack. I'm not talking about "blocking" a technique, I'm talking about re-directing the attack to give you a better advantage.

Kristina