How many aikido moves are there

Sometimes even high-level instructors may teach specific techniques in slightly different ways. There are many reasons for this, ranging from different personal styles, through different circumstances of applicability, to different detailed emphases of instruction.

Many techniques have a large variety of formal variations, and all techniques have an essentially infinite variety of subtle variations in response to specific circumstances.

In such situations, do not seek to stubbornly stick with a slightly different form that you may already have studied. Instead, seize the opportunity to gain new insight into a technique which you may think you already understand.

Toyoda-sensei sometimes said that, when his advanced students began to grasp a certain technique, he would instantly change it. There are two different teaching styles for describing these two basic variations on a given technique: by movement or by location.

An irimi movement will typically involve stepping close to uke and perhaps moving forward in a direct line. A tenkan movement will typically involve turning beside or behind uke , usually in at least a half-turn. Typically, the form of a technique described as omote will correspond to the one involving an irimi movement. Similarly, the form of a technique described as ura typically will correspond to the one involving a tenkan movement.

Toyoda-sensei usually preferred to describe such basic variations by movement, but some other instructors prefer to describe them by location. There is thus a historical rationale for learning weapons movements. Second, weapons training is helpful in learning proper distancing ma-ai , and it provides an opportunity to practice moving as though the weapon were an extension of one's own body rather than simply an object held in the hands. In order to ensure that such techniques can be practiced safely, it is important for students to know how to attack properly with weapons.

Finally, weapons training is an excellent way to learn principles governing lines of attack and defense. Always bear in mind that weapons are instruments designed to kill, and even a wooden sword can be deadly. The famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi often used only a wooden sword to defeat in combat opponents armed with metal swords. Always practice within the limits of your partner's abilities. Treat weapons with caution and respect. To emphasize this point, you may notice that we often bow to each other and carefully orient the "blade" in a particular direction whenever handing over a practice weapon.

Ideally, if architecture permits, this lower end is also located closest to the doorway. Thus, strictly speaking, if you are seating yourself on the mat along shimoza , facing kamiza , simply look to your right, and you should see a student who is senior to you. Line up on the mat parallel to that senior student. This page provides information on a wide variety of Aikido techniques i. Aikido is a Japanese martial arts with hundreds of different techniques and combinations. However, be aware that the names for some techniques can vary by school.

It is necessary to note, that the purpose of the majority of martial arts is not to neutralize the attacker, but to inflict the maximum damage on him.

Therefore an insignificant conflict frequently has every chance to end with severe injuries. Aikido, on the contrary, initially is a form of self-defense. It does not teach how to be the first to rush into a fight and break the hand of the nearest person. The essence of Aikido techniques is to absorb or redirect the opponent's energy, to subordinate him to your influence and due to that to resolve the conflict in your favor.

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