Article: The Nature of Ukemi by George S. Ledyard

Discuss the article, "The Nature of Ukemi" by George S. Ledyard here.

Article URL: http://www.aikiweb.com/columns/gledyard/2004_10.html

I love this bit:

If uke is adjusting constantly to nage's energy and nage is adjusting to uke's energy, who controls the interaction? This is the essential koan of Aikido.

This sounds like so much fun....

and this:

Ukemi is quite a bit like surfing. As one perceives the energy of the technique one moves with it, never resisting.

I came up with a theory once that every pleasurable, wonderful thing in life has something of this feel of which I think surfing provides the best analogy -- which is why I really want to learn how to surf! Too bad about the cold water around here though, and the sharks, can't forget those.

=wl

Willy Lee wrote: I came up with a theory once that every pleasurable, wonderful thing in life has something of this feel of which I think surfing provides the best analogy -- which is why I really want to learn how to surf! Too bad about the cold water around here though, and the sharks, can't forget those. =wl

So if we can get a thread started about aikido on sharks, you're halfway there!