Aikido

Aikido techniques are frequently referred to as waza 技 . Aikido training is based primarily on two partners practicing pre-arranged forms (kata) rather than freestyle practice. The basic pattern is for the receiver of the technique (uke) to initiate an attack against the person who applies the technique—the 取り tori, or shite 仕手, (depending on aikido style) also referred to as (投げ nage (when applying a throwing technique), who neutralises this attack with an aikido technique.[1] Both halves of the technique, that of uke and that of tori, are considered essential to aikido training.[1] Both are studying aikido principles of blending and adaptation. Tori learns to blend with and control attacking energy, while uke learns to become calm and flexible in the disadvantageous, off-balance positions in which tori places him. This "receiving" of the technique is called ukemi.[1] Uke continuously seeks to regain balance and cover vulnerabilities (e.g., an exposed side), while tori uses position and timing to keep uke off-balance and vulnerable. In more advanced training, uke may apply reversal techniques (返し技, kaeshi-waza?) to regain balance and pin or throw tori. Ukemi (受身?) refers to the act of receiving a technique. Good ukemi involves attention to the technique, the partner and the immediate environment - it is an active rather than a passive "receiving" of Aikido. The fall itself is part of Aikido, and is a way for the practitioner to receive, safely, what would otherwise be a devastating strike or throw and return to a standing position in one fluid movement. The person throwing must take into account the ukemi ability of his partner, as well as the physical space: walls, weapons (wooden tantō, bokken, jō) on the tatami, and the aikido practitioners nearby. Uke must attack with a strength and speed appropriate to the aikido skill level of the tori; in the case of beginner women and children, this means an attack of far less severity than would be encountered in a real-life self-defense situation. Training techniques * Boat-rowing exercise (船漕運動, Funakogi undō?) / Rowing the boat (取り船, torifune ?) [2] teaches movement from the hip rather than relying on muscle strength of the arms * First teaching exercise (一教運動, Ikkyo undō?) trains students to enter with both arms forward in the tegatana (手刀) position. * Body change (体の変更, Tai no henko?) altering the direction of an incoming attack * Seated breathing method (座技呼吸法, Suwariwaza kokyūhō?) / Breathing action (呼吸動作, Kokyūdōsa?) / Breathing belly method (呼吸丹田方, Kokyūtandenhō?) breathing is important in the execution of all aikido techniques. Here "breathing" has an additional meaning of "match with" or "accord," as the efforts of tori must agree with the direction and strength with which his wrists are held by uke. Initial attacks Aikido techniques are usually a defense against an attack; therefore, to practice aikido with their partner, students must learn to deliver various types of attacks. Although attacks are not studied as thoroughly as in striking-based arts such as karate or taekwondo, "honest" or "sincere" attacks (a strong strike or an immobilizing grab) are needed to study correct and effective application of technique. Many of the strikes (打ち, uchi?) of aikido are often said to resemble cuts from a sword or other grasped object, which indicates its origins in techniques intended for armed combat. Other techniques, which appear to explicitly be punches (tsuki), are also practiced as thrusts with a knife or sword. Kicks are generally reserved for upper-level variations; reasons cited include that falls from kicks are especially dangerous, and that kicks (high kicks in particular) were uncommon during the types of combat prevalent in feudal Japan. Some basic strikes include: * Front-of-the-head strike (正面打ち, shōmen'uchi?) a vertical knifehand strike to the head. In training, this is usually directed at the forehead or the crown for safety, but more dangerous versions of this attack target the bridge of the nose and the maxillary sinus. * Side-of-the-head strike (横面打ち, yokomen'uchi?) a diagonal knifehand strike to the side of the head or neck. * Chest thrust (胸突き, mune-tsuki?) a punch to the torso. Specific targets include the chest, abdomen, and solar plexus. Same as "middle-level thrust" (中段突き, chūdan-tsuki?), and "direct thrust" (直突き, choku-tsuki?). * Face thrust (顔面突き, ganmen-tsuki?) a punch to the face. Same as "upper-level thrust" (上段突き, jōdan-tsuki?). * Sword-taking (太刀取り, tachitori ?) Being attacked with a sword or bokken, usually reserved for upper level practitioners. * Knife-taking (短刀取り, tantōtori ?) Being attacked with a tantō, usually a wooden one. * Staff-taking (杖取り, jōtori ?) Being attacked with a jō . Being attack by any wooden staff is called bōtori(棒取り) or tsuetori(杖取り) Beginners in particular often practice techniques from grabs, both because they are safer and because it is easier to feel the energy and lines of force of a hold than a strike. Some grabs are historically derived from being held while trying to draw a weapon; a technique could then be used to free oneself and immobilize or strike the attacker who is grabbing the defender. * Single-hand grab (片手取り, katate-dori?) one hand grabs one wrist. * Both-hands grab (諸手取り, morote-dori?) both hands grab one wrist. Same as "single hand double-handed grab" (片手両手取り, katateryōte-dori?) * Both-hands grab (両手取り, ryōte-dori?) both hands grab both wrists. Same as "double single-handed grab" (両片手取り, ryōkatate-dori?). * Shoulder grab (肩取り, kata-dori?) a shoulder grab. "Both-shoulders-grab" is ryōkata-dori (両肩取り?). It is sometimes combined with an overhead strike as Shoulder grab face strike (肩取り面打ち, kata-dori men-uchi?). * Chest grab (胸取り, mune-dori or muna-dori?) grabbing the (clothing of the) chest. Same as "collar grab" (襟取り, eri-dori?). * Rear chokehold (後ろ裸絞, ushiro kubishime?) * Rear both shoulders grab (後ろ両肩取り, ushiro ryokatori ?) * Rear both wrists grab (後ろ手首取り, ushiro tekubitori ?)