๐ฆ๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฏ
With Michael Ormerod - 3rd Dan Aikikai
The next Online Aikido Workshop of 2023 will explore the theme:
๐ฅย ATEMI-UKEMI: 'Hitting Body / Receiving Body'
This Workshop is designed for those Aikidoka who would like to explore the area of Atemi and Ukemi in relationship to Aikido's technical syllabus.
Focus points of the Workshop will include:ย
First, it is important to define the terms...
๐บ ATEMI - "Hitting-body"
This is the use of various parts (or whole) of one's body, to hit or (threaten) 'vital' areas of another body - naturally vulnerable parts. Those 'Hitting parts' could include, but are not limited to:
(Non-exhaustive list!)
The basic expression of power for functional Atemi:
Using the ground as the root of the movement, with the hip and torso as the distributor, and the periphery (hand/foot, etc.) to express the weight/pressure/power.
ย ๐ด UKEMI - "Receiving-body"
ย "Fall seven times, stand up eight"
Ukemi - often referred to in shorthand for falling practices or the receiving of a training partner's technique, is a much broader and deeper area of interest. Essentially it involves the absorbing of forces and pressure - allowing and distributing it through the body - not retaining the force of the impact, or letting it settle and stick. But letting it go.
The wave coming to shore is a useful visualisation. The rising, cresting, and ultimate crashing of the wave, and finally the pull of the water back to the ocean. Ukemi is to allow our structure to be distorted, not giving away our integrity or breaking, and to ultimately regain our balance. It is not simply being on the receiving end of the technique, but riding the waves of pressure, joining the motion, and surviving with grace.
Simply put, to fall and stand up again.
๐ฅ ATEMI AND ITS PURPOSE(S)
With the terms defined, the Aikido Online Workshop will explore further the purpose(s) and function of Atemi in the effective application and facilitation of Aikido techniques...
This could be broken down into three broad levels:
ย 1. Atemi to Kill/maim
ย 2. Atemi to distort the structure and create imbalance.
ย 3. Atemi to create distractions or catch attention or misdirect.
The go-to option in Aikido practice tends to be level 3. However, the option to use effectively level 3, has to be grounded in the practitioner's ability and knowledge of levels 1 and 2 (especially 1). The ethical choice to neutralise aggressive intent without harm, cannot be baseless. The threat must carry a real risk. A Bark without a bite is not enough. And to live and 'do no harm' is not the same as to be harmless. We may be reminded of the various statements of Morihei Ueshiba that Atemi is 70% of Aikido (or in other accounts 90% or even 99%).
๐บ INTENTION IS EVERYTHING.
In Atemi: intention could be the difference between using our knowledge to destroy - and using it to restore balance and neutralise aggression. Fighting fire with fire creates more flames, and finally more ashes.
In Ukemi: intention could be the difference between trying to escape and avoid pressure - and being molded by, and working with, the same pressure. Bamboo cannot escape the wind, but it can bend, flex, and return to its natural undisturbed state.
Each and every time we encounter violence (either physical or psychological) the intention we respond to it with, draws a line deep within us...
"The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man." -ย Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
๐ด REGISTER NOW:
The Aikido Online Workshop will explore these ideas and will weave in and out of the Takemusu Aikido Bukiwaza and Taijutsu systems.
Places are limited - register NOW to secure your place!