Aikido is a non-aggressive martial art. We can be non-aggressive in a martial arts situation by maintaining coordination of mind and body and keeping ourself together without being subdued by an attacker.
The proper distance from an opponent is called "ma'ai". It is important to keep ma'ai, because an opponent has to make at least two (2) motions to attack as long as we maintain ma'ai: first, approach; second, attack. We can respond as soon as we see the first motion if we have ourself together. The ma'ai sense can also be applied in our daily human interactions.
Energy called "ki" pours out of us when we are together and grounded. Ki will seal all openings ("suki") from an opponent's attack.
Martial arts motions all begin from two to three inches below the navel, traditionally called "hara", by moving from the torso, and legs and feet.
Traditionally we emphasize coordination of mind and body. "No mind" does not mean "absent mind". The mind is free, and mind and body are functioning at their best when we are not attached. The brain controls us when we are attached, we cannot function fully and are not integrated. The brain is part of our existence: We use our brain, but should not let a part of us control our whole existence. As an example of "we use our brain", we cannot respond when attacked if we consider optional responses, whether "good or bad, intelligent or unintelligent". All of you, including the brain, has to respond to an attack.
We think when we think, we do when we do. Fulfillment comes when we are not attached or stuck mentally. The Aikido experience embodies "I am, therefore I think", rather than "I think, therefore I am". Body and mind are originally one.
We have to relax instead of becoming tense. Tenseness contributes nothing to force. Physics says that force derives from mass and speed. We become slower when we are tense. Tenseness reduces our force.
The martial arts train breath and posture in addition to learning techniques. Breath and posture training continue throughout our lives even after completing training in techniques. Posture and depth of the breath demonstrate the level of both training and of personal development.
The purpose of martial arts is not necessarily winning, but rather not losing. This attitude potentially affects how to behave in any situation, and defines a crucial difference between martial arts and sports. Martial arts have a deeper meaning than sport. Particularly Japanese martial arts would be better defined as "martial way (of life)".
©
Hideki Shiohira, Shihan, Aikido Center, 2001-2007
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