Training – Atemi and striking arts

Relaxed arm striking – it’s not pretty

Capture3Atemi (or striking) plays an important role in Aikido practice, particularly from a self-defence perspective. Without the use of atemi, or at least the threat of it, most techniques would have substantially less chance of success. This is particularly so when resistance and counter offensives are thrown into the mix. Further, at the highest levels of practice, many techniques in essence are pure atemi.

One of the interesting aspects of Aikido Yuishinkai practice is that it includes the use of relaxed arm (suwaisho) striking methods as a self-defence response to addressing “punch based” attack situations. Exercises to develop skills in vertical and horizontal relaxed arm strikes are practised at the commencement of every Aikido Yuishinkai class.

Capture2Vertical suwaisho strikes in particular are a surprisingly effective self-defence response.  They also have the advantage of being relatively easy to learn. This in part is because they can be applied just using heavy downward and forward energy, rather than relying on a “heaven man earth” body structure which is more difficult to acquire. They are also quite simple in their execution – which is critical in a real life situation. The fact that the downward strikes simultaneously defend the nage’s centreline is another a benefit.

That being said, vertical suwaisho strikes are not pretty to look at and are a million miles from the graceful artistry that is often seen in typical You Tube clips of Aikido. Also, when you are the uke in two partnered practice, it can be a quite confronting and an “in your face” experience to say the least. It feels a bit like being bombarded by a series of oncoming swinging clubs. Although not necessary for general practice, I would also (from experience) suggest giving your uke some protective arm and head gear if you decide to put vertical suwaisho to the test against a “full-on attack” – it will save some major bruises.

The below clip is a brief introduction to vertical suwaisho strikes given at a 2007 seminar in Tasmania by the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, Master Koretoshi Maruyama.  The uke is Sensei A Williams.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

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Breaking boards using relaxed power, gravity and centreline – A reality check

Let me say from the outset that breaking boards is not part of Aikido and I am in no way advocating that it should be. It’s just something done at our dojo from time to time after class as a sort of reality check. Participation is purely voluntary.

So much of Aikido is counter-intuitive and for some us (like myself) it is comforting to put principles like relaxed power, gravity and centreline to a personal test. Breaking a board that requires 114 kg of impact power is one way of doing this.  There are no doubt many other ways. Its akin to rolling on hard surfaces from time to time to see if your ukemi is as soft as you think it is (and yes some of us do that too).

The below video was taken at the end of a class at our dojo on 25 October 2014.   Most who decided to have a go at breaking the board were able to do so or very close to achieving it.  The biggest challenge (like most things in Aikido) is believing that relaxed softness, combined with being centred and using gravity, can generate not only sufficient power to break the board but also cause no pain.

In any event these were the results.

Have a great weekend.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

Internal strength and Aikido – An experiment in breaking boards

Its always interesting to experiment with Aikido applications.  Sometimes the experiments work out, sometimes not.  Its all part of the learning experience.

With this spirit in mind,  I recently decided to participate in a test to see if Aikido principles could be applied to break boards normally reserved for students of striking arts.  Now I should state from the outset that I have never previously tried or even considered breaking a board with my hand.  The chance of being attacked by a pile of lumber just seemed too remote to bother with such a proposition.

I resolved to attempt to break a board with an open palm downward atemi (strike) using the suwai sho 2 movement from the Aikido Yuishinkai junan taiso.  This taiso exercise is something most Aikido Yuishinkai students do at the start of just about every  class. Most importantly for the subject experiment, it’s an exercise that generates power from your centre in a downward direction.

Throwing  caution to the wind, I tried to break a (new) JOLS re-breakable board designed for advanced karate students. Of some concern was that, according to its packaging, the board required 114kg of impact power to break. Further, there was internet commentary  to the effect that experienced striking art students often had difficulty breaking the board.  This information didn’t inspire me with confidence.

My first attempt failed miserably and painfully. Fuelled by trepidation, I used the one strategy that could never work – I resorted to physical strength.  On contact, my palm felt like it was going to explode and the throw back vibration went through both my hand and arm so hard I’m sure my ancestors felt it. There was no doubt some well deserved bruising was coming my way.

Just prior to my second attempt, I resolved this time to rely only on fundamental Aiki principles – standing straight, relaxing completely, moving from my centre, keeping weight underside, dropping through the elbow and maintaining an unbendable arm.  I also removed from my mind the fact that the point of contact with the board was going to be my still smarting hand.

I’m pleased to say my hand this time went through the board like it was slicing butter (see video below). I didn’t feel any pain or reverberation at all.  After breaking the board a few more times, I then had a go at breaking 2 boards which required 143 kg of  impact power to break.  Succeeded again!

So there you go – Aiki principles like moving from your centre, weight underside, unbendable arm and relaxed power really do work!

All the best

Ian

Credits: Big thanks to Robert Monro for his help in setting up, support and encouragement of the experiment. Also to Darren Philips for his impromptu recording of the exercise.