Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > Columns

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Comment
 
Column Tools
Personal Space
Personal Space
by Lynn Seiser
05-19-2009
Personal Space

Breathe in, internal personal space.
Breathe out, external personal space.
Disappearing, Expanding.

Maai is usually simply translated as distance. It is often thought of as the distance, in feet or inches, needed to make a technique effective. It is the space between people. So, how do we create that space and how do we make it effective?

While many people like to work from the outside in, I like to work from the inside out. I also like to work from the big picture to the little rather than the little picture to the big. It is like doing a jig-saw puzzle. The most important piece is the picture on the cover because it lets you see where the little pieces fit.


Personal space is consciously a kinesthetic feeling, a visceral reaction to physical space and proximity. When someone gets too close, it scares us and we push them away. When they get too far away, it scares us and we pull them back in closer. At least until they get too close again. Most people know their personal space through fear. Even a loved one can get too close. We fear enmeshment, feel suffocated, panic, and reject them. Or, they get too far away, we fear abandonment, feel loss, panic, and smother or suffocate them. This dance can go on forever, but never productively. Anything that is fear based can only be destructive. Anything that is love based can only be constructive. The wisdom in serenity knows the difference.

Personal space is not just physical, it is also psychological. In fact, sequentially, to find the external personal space, one must first find the internal personal space. The more we are filled up with our own personal learned ego identity, the more internal space we need. This is very common in western psychology. We take everything personally and think everything (including external reality) should be the way we internally think they should be. And if for some odd reason, the external reality does not match the internal fantasy, our task is the make the external world be the way we think it should be. And we wonder why we create so much resistance. Wouldn't it be easier, more effective, and more efficient to change our internal personal space so that it doesn't take up so much room? So instead of being all full of ourselves, perhaps it would be wiser to empty more of ourselves. The more ego you have, the more depression and anxiety you have because it is still all about you. The less ego you have, the more you have the capacity to be open to others and the situation.

So first, let us take a deep breath, relax, and be mindful of how full of ourselves we are. Let us bring our awareness to how much space, time, and energy it takes to require so much internal personal space. If we think about it, our most creative and intimate times are when we are full with the activity or the other person. Our most stuck and alienated times are when we think its all about us. Become aware of what you really want in life. How much internal personal space is really required? Make your internal personal space congruent to what you want in your future. Let your internal personal space expand, contract, and disappear.

By changing our internal personal space, we become less fear based. The less fear based we are, the less external personal space we need. The less we reject others. Don't get me wrong, there are predators and bad-guys out there that you will want to keep at a distance. But predators and bad-guys are drawn to internally focused fear based victims. Fear puts them in control. They don't like people who are externally aware and willing to engage. Wisdom, not aggression, becomes our shield.

We often joke about being a society of mostly sheep and a few wolves. Watch a nature show and you will see that the predators will never select the strongest in the herd. They always aim for the isolated, the weak, and the fearful. To them, the meek will not inherit the earth, they simply become easier targets. Seldom do we talk about and honor the sheep dog who thinks little of himself yet protects the sheep by fighting with the wolves. The sheep dog controls the herd by utilizing their fear. The sheep dog controls the wolves, by utilizing their fear. One side will always be afraid in an adversarial situation. Choose them. It's a decision, direction, and discipline to stand watch while no one notices or likes you.

Touch is a very important and powerful issue too. Touch is closely inter-dependent and inter-related to personal space. You can be touched emotionally, psychologically, and cognitively without any physical touch. Just the thought of someone or some situation can bring up strong feelings and reactions, both positive and negative. You can be touched physically, and it will access and remind you of all your past experiences of being touched. How we react/respond to physical touch is determine by our internal and external need for personal space. Most of these boundary issues were taught to us early in life. Once on automatic pilot we seldom question if they are necessary or appropriate for today's situation. Yes, it is possible to change our personal space. It is possible to expand it, contract it, or let it disappear.

How does this apply to Aikido practice?

Please remember that Aikido is often referred to as the art of body and mind harmony, or unification. Yet seldom do we talk about, much less train, the actual mental component. Yet your need for personal space will determine your conform level on entering and blending with others. The old timers say you tell a lot about a person by the way wear their Gi, walk to the mat, and bow in. Many Dojos have a sign that requests people leave their personal problems outside when they enter. It's up to you if you pick them back up on the way out.

Aikido is also often thought of as a spiritual practice. The more we fill our internal personal space with the learned ego identity, the less room there is for spirit. The more we extend our external personal space, the more we exclude and push others away. Spirituality is inclusive.

The first is to understand and accept that the more internal personal space you have or need, the more internally focused and obsessed one is, and the more vulnerable. If you have or need a lot of internal personal space, begin by visualizing just how big it is. Some find that even though it is internal, this internal representation extends far beyond their personal physical boundaries. Now let any preexisting imaginary representation of internal personal space expand, contract, and disappear.

Next is to understand and accept your perception of external personal space. Feel how much distance (Maai) is comfortable and at what point you become fear based reactionary or confidence based responsive. Some people wait to long and react out of their startle response, if they react at all. Others initiate and intercept too soon, believing they sense an intent to attack, and become aggressive and hostile themselves. Let any preexisting imaginary representation of external personal space expand, contract, and disappear.

I often have people do an Irimi-Tenkan blending exercise. The exercise is done in pairs. The footwork in an alternating 180-degree and 90-degree Tenkan pattern. I ask them to become aware of their connectedness through their eye-contact (Metsuke), their shoulders and hips, their center. Most importantly, I ask them to visualize a sense of internal personal space getting smaller and finally disappearing, while they extend and expand their external personal space to include the other person. Try inviting and including them into your circular spiraling personal space. In a short period of time, your movements will synchronize and harmonize. The slightest movement in one naturally creates a corresponding movement in the other.

Now apply this connection of personal space to the application and execution of any Aikido technique. Most people think about doing Aikido techniques as if the point of hand contact becomes the extended external boundary of personal space, excluding their training partner. This creates two opposing circles that only touch on their circumference. Now imagine that your external personal space extends and includes your training partner. Instead of two circles touching, we have one inside the other. Relax and breathe. Extend your external personal space, your external sphere of influence.

Aikido, as a tool, can help one find and lose them self. As your internal personal space contracts and disappears, let your external personal space expand, extend, and include others. Instead of thinking about the "I", let your mind and heart open to include the "we". Practice this awareness with mindfulness in and outside the Dojo in all you do.

Breathe in, internal personal space.
Breathe out, external personal space.
Disappearing, Expanding.

Thanks for listening, for the opportunity to be of service, and for sharing the journey. Now get back to training. KWATZ!
Attached Images
File Type: pdf lseiser_2009_05.pdf (33.8 KB, 13 views)
Old 06-02-2009, 06:38 PM   #2
Suru
Location: Miami, FL
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 453
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

Dear Lynn,

This article did an excellent job of putting into words a mind state I had for many months, years ago. I believe regular Aikido training was the initiation and sustenance of my placid, humble, happy, and optimistic self. Meditation sometimes gets me there again, but it's not lasting. I have been off the mat for some months, and though I may not return soon, that could be the biggest factor. I'm not going to restate your article, but I'll tell you for sure it rings true. Arigatou gozaimashita.

Best regards,
Drew
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2009, 07:22 AM   #3
SeiserL
 
SeiserL's Avatar
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

Osu Drew,

Thanks for your kind thoughts and comments.

I try to express and write what is true for me at this point in my training and evolution.

I am please when it "rings true" for others, because it lets me know I am not alone.

I also accept that just because its my truth at this point in time, doesn't mean its anyone else's truth, or that it won't change.

Again, thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts and comment.

Rei, Domo,

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2009, 10:44 AM   #4
Shadowfax
 
Shadowfax's Avatar
Dojo: Allegheny Aikido, Pitsburgh PA
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 948
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

The right words at the right time. Thank you for putting this article up.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2009, 07:39 AM   #5
SeiserL
 
SeiserL's Avatar
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

Quote:
Cherie Cornmesser wrote: View Post
The right words at the right time. Thank you for putting this article up.
Timing, as well as space, is important in Aikido and life.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2009, 01:47 PM   #6
Bacchus
Dojo: Roswell Boudokan
Location: Woodstock, GA
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

"The more ego you have, the more depression and anxiety you have because it is still all about you. The less ego you have, the more you have the capacity to be open to others and the situation"

38 words to describe the phrase I have spent years looking for. Thank you very much.

Training with you has been such a pleasure for me, I look forward to Tuesday and Thursday mornings very much. I know your wisdom came hard to you, but your students appriciate all it has given you, and you give us.

Brandon
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2009, 03:34 PM   #7
SeiserL
 
SeiserL's Avatar
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

Quote:
Brandon Lee wrote: View Post
"38 words to describe the phrase I have spent years looking for."
Osu Kohai,

The letters for the words have always been there, as have been the words. Its the combining and sequencing that gets tricky.

Thanks for the kind words. Nice to train with you too. See you on the mat.

Rei. Domo.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2009, 04:46 PM   #8
Suru
Location: Miami, FL
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 453
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

I believe I shared the following at some time, maybe many years ago:

One of my high school English teachers in Miami had taught much in South America and elsewhere. Seemingly out of nowhere, she called my name and asked me to stand next to her. I got up, went to the front of the class, and stood. Then she asked a Dominican student to stand on her other side. She asked the class if they noticed anything. A student said that I was a few feet away while the Latin student was practically touching her. The teacher said that European-descent Americans like me are reared to keep about three feet of distance, while Latin Americans are raised to be comfortable much closer.

During my training in Miami, I found myself amongst many Latinos y Latinas. Looking back, I really wish I had conducted a simple experiment when it came to initial ma-ai with them. Also, I wonder if Central and South Americans find the inherent closeness of Aikido training to be more natural than I do.

Drew
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2009, 04:27 PM   #9
SeiserL
 
SeiserL's Avatar
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

Quote:
Drew Gardner wrote: View Post
The teacher said that European-descent Americans like me are reared to keep about three feet of distance, while Latin Americans are raised to be comfortable much closer.
Yes agreed Drew.
Different cultures have different distances of personal space.
So do different individuals.
We cannot judge others with our own frame of reference.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Until again,
Lynn

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2009, 08:41 PM   #10
Charles Hill
Dojo: Numazu Aikikai/Aikikai Honbu Dojo
Location: Three Lakes WI/ Mishima Japan
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 837
Offline
Re: Personal Space

Quote:
Drew Gardner wrote: View Post
The teacher said that European-descent Americans like me are reared to keep about three feet of distance, while Latin Americans are raised to be comfortable much closer.
Hi,

The academic study of this is called proxemics and the guy who started it is Edward T. Hall. A lot of good stuff if you look for it. The application of proxemics to martial arts/combat is covered in Vladimir Vasiliev's DVD "Hand to Hand" and in Kevin Secours' DVD "Warhead: Russian Systema Comabt Psychology".

Charles
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2009, 04:46 PM   #11
SeiserL
 
SeiserL's Avatar
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
United_States
Offline
Re: Personal Space

Quote:
Charles Hill wrote: View Post
The academic study of this is called proxemics and the guy who started it is Edward T. Hall. A lot of good stuff if you look for it. The application of proxemics to martial arts/combat is covered in Vladimir Vasiliev's DVD "Hand to Hand" and in Kevin Secours' DVD "Warhead: Russian Systema Comabt Psychology". Charles
Osu,
Thanks for the resource.
I will follow it up.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
  Reply With Quote

Comment


Currently Active Users Viewing This Column: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Column Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new columns
You may not post comment
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Column Column Starter Category Comments Last Post
"Off-The-Mat" Forum akiy "Off-The-Mat" 6 06-02-2008 12:22 AM
Solo practice in limited space. drDalek General 10 06-09-2004 01:33 PM
what's the smallest space you've ever trained in? rachmass General 28 03-22-2004 07:58 PM
Dojo Floor Space William Training 7 10-04-2001 09:02 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:29 AM.



Column powered by GARS 2.1.5 ©2005-2006

vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate