Aikido Breakfalls

Aikido Ukemi (breakfalls) are similar to those in Judo. At all times they should be soft, and your body should be kept like a ball. But unlike Judo at no time should one hit the mat with your hand in order to soften the shock. In Judo, we argue that if you find it necessary to use Ukemi in the street softening the blow by hitting the ground with your arm, you will only succeed in hurting your arm. In Aikido we learn to roll when thrown so as to recover on one's feet.

Yonkyo

(fourth principle). 1st form
The opponent grasps your right wrist. Turn as in Sanyo and catch his right hand with your left. Twist his wrist with your right hand and put the bottom of your left forefinger on his right pulse. Push upwards, making sure that his elbow than his shoulder, then cut his arm down to the ground. At the same time, step forward with the left foot. Pin him down and release on submission.
This concludes the fundamental techniques. Throws are often achieved in Aikido by forcing an opponent to throw himself if he is to avoid having one of his limbs dislocated. This is why it is particularly important for the beginner to practise carefully. The beginner will learn to avoid locks by throwing himself but this may take some time to acquire.

Sankyo

)third principle). 1st form

When the opponent grasps your right wrist with his right hand step to your left side. Turn your body move under his right arm, at the same time take his left hand with your right. Now twist his right hand up and to the left, keeping the palm open. Move your hips to the left. Cut his right hand down and grasping his elbow with your right hand direct him to the floor. Apply the lock by keeping the elbow straight and face his body when pinning him on the mat.

Nikkyo

(second principle). 1st form

The first part of this technique is the same as Ikkyo. Step backwards and lead him to the ground. But when coming back catch his fingers that are grasping your right wrist. Then apply the lock by bearing down on the wrist. Simultaneously, move your body backwards. This technique can be most painful to your partner and should not be applied too quickly in the early stages. Even at advanced levels, care must be taken. Your partner should tap to indicate submission as is done in the other martial arts. The moment he taps you should release the application.

Ikkyo

(first principle). 1st form

As the opponent catches your right wrist with his right hand, move your left leg and hip to the rear and lead him up bringing his arm back to his hand. At the same time, your left hand catches him just above his elbow and pushing back over his head you direct him to the floor. Then pin him down by kneeling with your left knee on his arm-pit. Place your right knee near his wrist. Keep your arms straight and posture upright.

Tentchi-nage (heaven and earth throw). 1st form

This is quaintly called the heaven and earth throw. As the opponent catches your right wrist, cut off with your left hand and at the same time step with your left leg to his right back corner, making sure you keep your left hand straight and pointing down to the earth. The right foot is then moved with a zig-zag step to his right rear corner. Bring your right hand arm under his chin and with your fingers of your right hand point directly upwards and throw him down. Keep your posture upright and your balance correct.

Kaiten-nage

(spiral throw). 1st form

This technique is a spiral throw and involves a circular movement. All techniques of Aikido are circular and not angular. This is important to remember. When the opponent attacks you for 1st form, step slightly back with your left leg. Your right hand follows your body, taking his arm over his head as you escape backwards under his arm. Keep your hand in the same position, push forward thus making an arc. At the same time you should catch his right wrist with your left hand. With your right hand press upon his neck and roll him forward.

Irimi-nage (enter body projection). 1st form

Irimi-nage is the enter body projection (throw) and is a special technique of Aikido. When your opponent catches your right wrist with his right hand, keep your right arm straight. Step in with your left foot into his rear side, your left hand encircling his neck. You are now the centre of the movement, and, stepping backwards with your right foot so that he is on the outside circle pull him into your right shoulder. Hook your right hand under his chin and throw him down. Most of the control comes from your grip on his neck. Try not to use strength catching him, otherwise he will resist you more easily.

Koto-gaeshi (small hand twist). 1st form

This technique is called the small hand twist. As your opponent catches your right wrist with his right hand, grab the top of it with your left hand and at the same time turn ninety degrees to your right. Keep your head looking in the same direction as you are going and your partner will come round in a semi-circle. Now change your direction, going back with your leg. Your right hand should push on the back of his right hand, throwing him. At all times try to keep this a smooth action and use circular not angular movements. Maintain your own balance and in no circumstances use shoulder strength to try to force the throw.

Shino-nage

(four direction throw). 1st form

This technique is the four direction projection as used in Japanese fencing. It involves turning on the left and right foot and cutting in four directions. Your opponent grasps your right wrist with his right hand. By making a spiral movement with your right hand, you then catch his wrist. At the same time catch the back of his right hand with your left hand, breaking his balance to his front. Do not lean backwards but keep your body slightly forward. Step through with your left leg, keeping your legs slightly bent. Swivel on the ball of your foot and bend your opponent's arm backwards. Throw your opponent down.

Next stand in a natural posture stretch your arms out and twist from your waist from side to side. Turn your head from side to side in time with your hands. Then move your head up and

down. Finally twist your wrists. This is a little painful at first but with practice becomes easier. Catch the back of your right hand with the palm of your left and twist down to the right, for your left hand reverse the procedure. You are now ready to practise.

Warming-Up Before Practice

Warming-up is as necessary in Aikido as it is in other physical activities. One loosens up one's joints and muscles. Starting from the feet, one twists one's ankles. Then one softly but firmly taps one's insteps with the palms of the hands. Next in a sitting position and with your legs tucked underneath you tap your thigh, shoulders and chest. From a standing position bend one knee and push the other leg out. Try to get down as far as possible. Keep the outstretched leg straight.

The Ceremony in Aikido

The ceremony in Aikido is similar to that in the other Martial Arts.

The pupils bow to the teacher before and after practice. They also bow to each other before each separate practice. This creates respect for each other and is helpful to class discipline. Discipline not only stops accidents on the mat but also helps in self-discipline which is essential in Aikido. This helps make the club a strong and happy one.

the Power of Ki and Kokyu

When listening to people talk about Aikido, you will hear about the power of Ki (Spirit) and Kokyu (Breath control). Both are things that cannot easily be explained as they are spiritual feelings. I am still trying to acquire these powers fully. I have found that these powers in Aikido are only possible when one is fully relaxed. So if one loses one's temper one will never find this power. This is why I feel sure that it is important to practise not only the technical side of Aikido but also to discipline the mind and accept the ceremony which is associated with the Art.

Always practise with good feeling and spirit. An excessive amount of talking on the mat is a waste of time. Your breathing should be through your nose with your mouth closed. By this method you will learn to control your breathing. This will in time enable you to practise at least three hours a week. At the leading clubs in this country, most pupils practise five hours a week and Dan grades ten hours a week. At the Aikikai, they have a system whereby the pupils live in and devote their lives to Aikido. They train up to six hours a day for seven days a week. After a certain number of years - usually ten - they are sent out as apostles of Aikido to teach the Art to all parts of the world.

If you can imagine that you are like a spinning top and if someone or something attacks you, they will fly off from you and not be able to enter into your body. In Aikido all movements must be 'circular' - not 'triangular'. Thus if you are spinning like a top and your opponent is on the outside, he is controlled not by strength but by your movement. At the same time your body and mind must be relaxed. We then have a posture which is completely alert.

The Basic Principles of Aikido

The basic techniques of Aikido are very important to learn thoroughly. In this book I cannot give you all of them as they are too numerous. But I have tried to give you a good overall guide. It is difficult to learn true Aikido from a book and the best way is to practise in a club under a good teacher. But use this book in conjunction with your training.


This book, I hope, will help you to understand the real meaning of Aikido.

Slippers should always be worn to the edge of the mat and when they are removed one should step straight onto the mat. This prevents any dirt or grit getting onto the mat. One should never walk on a mat wearing ordinary shoes.

When practising try not to have the same partner all the time as you will find that you get too used to each other. Everyone is different in build, weight and height. Your techniques becomes more adjustable if you change your partners.

One should not have stupid strength contests with each other or fool about. Try to help to understand each other and help one's partner wherever possible.

Cleanliness is very important in Aikido as well as the other fighting arts. Not only is it very important to keep your body and clothes clean but also your mind. Aikido's aim is to make harmony and this will not be achieved if one person in the Dojo is clean and another dirty. You will find that no one will want to practise with the dirty club member. This can cause bad feeling in the Dojo. Harmony will thus disappear.

In Aikido toe and finger nails can be very dangerous so these should be kept trimmed. When stepping on to the mat, the student should bow to it. This is to give thanks to the mat because without it one would not be able to practise. Therefore we respect it for being there and it teaches us not to take things for granted.