16th Jan 2008
It does look like a bit like ballroom dancing by Sean Murphy
“It does look a bit like Ballroom dancing … with big trousers,” says my friend, with what looks suspicious like a smirk. I try not to be irritated and focus on one-point.
“It is very fluid and graceful,” I reply, taking the high road.
“He’s not really being thrown though, is he? He’s letting himself be thrown. What’s the good in that?”
My friend was beginning to annoy me and I was beginning to regret letting him watch a recently found “YouTube” Aikido demonstration montage with me.
“We cooperate when we train,” I say slowly and deliberately.
“So you just… let yourself be thrown?” he asks, frowning.
Here I was again explaining how we train to someone from another martial art. My friend and I had trained together in Karate for quite a few years. While I switched to Aikido a few years ago, he remained an active and devout Karateka - a Karateka who was having a little trouble with some of our Aikido training concepts.
In other martial arts, like Karate, we start by practicing techniques by ourselves: striking, punching and kicking at the air. We train by ourselves so that we do not damage ourselves or others, while learning the Kihon-waza (basic techniques). When we reach a level of proficiency, only then do we train with a partner and then in strictly defined roles. If we progress further we are allowed more freedom to move around and combine techniques, increasing our speed and power as we learn.
But in Aikido, we train with a partner from the start. Together we clumsily grab, twist and, most likely, muscle each other to the floor. Then after changing hands four or five times, we perform what might one day become a pin. It is in progressing together that we glean small pieces of knowledge on how to relax when attacked. How to remain centered. How to lead. How to both give and take a technique: becoming a good Nage and a good Uke in turn.
So yes, initially we do allow ourselves to be thrown. So that our partner may learn the technique and we may learn to control our fall. Our co-operation is the key to both learning and surviving, again, for both our partners and ourselves. As our ability grows, more emphasis on proper feel and timing come to the fore.
Therefore, more resistance to a throw may also be introduced. This relies upon our basis of cooperation. After attempting to explain all this to my friend he nods, smiles and adds, “It does look a bit like ballroom dancing though, doesn’t it?”
At least he’s not smirking now. Once again I breathe deeply, think calming thoughts and reply “It is very fluid and graceful.”
Sean Murphy is a student at Itsushinkan Dojo in Lombard, IL.
