Hi Mark,
I believe for the most part that seiza (or suwari waza) technique is taught to assist in learning to move through your hips, not through your legs, giving you a more balanced approach when applying a technique.
I find that often you can see the particular details of a technique better in suwari waza as you are forced to actually think through your movements, rather than relying on years of experience walking on your feet.
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I was just wondering if Aikido should stay static and keep training in the old way or should Aikido adapt and change and incorporate training from sitting?
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As an interesting exercise, try a technique from a seated position; I think you will be surprised at how similar to hanmi han tachi technique it feels. From what I understand of hanmi han tachi, it is designed to teach you the practicality of performing technique whilst seated or in a lowered position, or to defend against a person that is taller and/or heavier than you.
Whilst sitting and kneeling are really two quite different positions, I think that suwari waza training is a good preparation exercise for seated attacks, and also benefits your normal waza...
Cheers.