How we can save Aikido: An honest opinion.

[Matt Phillips]

He's got a 4/5 dvd set of "combat aikido" too. It's a good watch.

The clips without headgear are all from that series IIRC

[Colin]

That was a good watch, thanks for the link matt, but personally, I am more interested in modern MA training - The Aikido idea was mostly about trying to find something in the system that is potentially universally useful, ie: the Ukemi.

[DerAuslander]

Ok. I'll start by stating that I have a modest experience with Aikido over many years involving training with Aikidoka of vastly different philosophical outlooks, physical abilities, and training methodologies.

I started to think about a few opinions I had read in some threads here, and about my own experiences with Aikido, and have come to the conclusion, that with no other martial art, with the possible exception of some obscure TCMA or overly acrobatic Booj Dojos, will give you the same high-level constant ukemi practice.

As I mentioned - this point has been brought up before, that ukemi in Aikido isn't only crucial to the art, it IS the art. Tori's job after all, is just a different kind of ukemi, right?

If we operate under the suspicion that Aikido is a means of dealing with Ueshiba's attacks, much like Judo is a way of dealing with Kano's attacks, we can probably surmise that Ueshiba prized (and probably sported) a very elusive fighting style, perhaps due to a very advanced Ukemi. (rolling out of the way of a strike to control the sword arm from behind, and failing good position, able to roll and gain better position again?)

If this is a plausible explanation, then perhaps modern Aikido could transition into an MMA or SD accompaniment called UKEMIDO which includes the study of MA-AIDO.

To define specifically what kind of training this should constitute, and to what amount of time the modern fighter may get value out of investing in intensive ukemi training is really a matter of discussion, a discussion I hope to encourage out of the JMA and MMA community here.

What I'm proposing is perhaps a single training session per week of standard length (1-2 hrs) dedicated entirely to breakfalling, rolling safely, learning how to roll behind someone (or indeed through them, if the technique is appropriate).

How do the other bullies feel about this?

Aikido doesn't need saving.

You do.

[Colin]

Aikido doesn't need saving.

You do.

Try reading more than one post in a thread if you have anything to actually say.
Otherwise go back to watching taekyon videos.

[DCS]

Dharma combat!!!

[kismasher]

does aikido even want to be saved? stockholm syndrome?

[Permalost]

Dharma combat!!!

Verbal aikido

[Vieux Normand]

Verbal aikido

Bit more like it: koan the barbarian.

[Yoj]

Bit more like it: koan the barbarian.

[DCS]

Another pic of a kitten and I'll go Nansen.