Basics
THROUGH TRUE SPIRIT WE STRIVE EXCELLENCE, WHICH PREVAILS OVER INJUSTICE AND INIQUITY

AFTER MANY HAPPY YEARS OF TEACHING AND SUPPORTING THE SPIRIT OF TOMIKI AIKIDO WE HAVE COME TO THE DECISION THAT WE CAN NO LONGER OFFER CLASSES.

FOR NOSTALGIC REASONS THIS WEBSITE IS BEING MAINTAINED AS A HISTORIC JOURNAL OF THE MANY ENJOYABLE TIMES THAT WE ALL EXPERIENCED.

 

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BASIC PRINCIPLES

Aikido is a self-defence system, which exploits the inherent weaknesses in an opponent.

OUR JOINTS ARE WEAK. No Matter how much muscle we build up around them they will always remain the same - weak links.

THE WAY WE STAND. Again our whole body is inherently weak in one direction and strong in another.

THE WAY WE WALK. Walking is a continual process of loosing and regaining balance. As we lift a foot to step forward or backward we are momentarily left on the other foot. This makes us vulnerable and weak in every direction.

MENTAL. To psyche out your opponent can reveal weaknesses in the mind.  Before you encounter an opponent, if you believe you can be beaten you will loose.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN PERFORMING A TECHNIQUE

AVOIDANCE (CORRECT DISTANCE). When an opponent attacks, the most important thing is to avoid being struck.  You may not even need to use a technique afterwards.  This initial movement also places you at the correct distance from your opponent for a successful application of a technique.

BALANCE. To perform any Judo or Aikido technique, first you must disturb your opponent’s balance but your balance must be good.  This can be physically, mentally, actively or passively.

POSTURE. Be relaxed, balanced, be in a ready state of awareness. Be ready to move in any direction and at speed.  To perform any technique you must yourself be in control of your body, otherwise you will risk failing and possibly being countered.

EYE-CONTACT. Focus should be an overall view of your opponent and not fixed to any one point.

TIMING. To be able to read an opponents intentions and react at the correct moment.

SOFTNESS. To be soft will always overcome hardness.  Do not try to resist a force but blend and move with it.  To be soft will enable you to move more quickly and with precision.

K I L L!     =    Keep It Light and Loose!

EIGHT DIRECTIONS by John Waite & Adrian Tyndale
(click on image to enlarge)

BASIC INDIVIDUAL EXERCISE - Eight directions to move your body - Unsuko
BASIC PAIR EXERCISE - Eight directions to move your partner - Kuzushi
ADVANCED PAIR EXERCISE - Eight directions to throw your partner - Tsukuri

BASIC MOVEMENTS

FOOT MOVEMENTS
 - Eight directions to move your body - Unsuko

HAND MOVEMENTS
 - Body movements with hand and foot - Tandoku Undo

UNSOKU EXERCISES - Eddy Wolput & Adrian Tyndale
(click on frame to start)
TANDOKU UNDO - Eddy Wolput & Adrian Tyndale
(click on frame to start)

 

FIVE BASIC HAND BLADE EXERCISES

O MAWASHI - Tyndale & McClean

major sweep
o mawashi

major-sweep

These exercises are expansions of the smaller movements that might be used in Randori.  Each exercise is first demonstrated without Uke in order  to highlight the action.  When practiced partnered, emphasis should be placed on continuous and smooth movement.  The aim is to promote good balance and posture and to develop power in the movement by correctly focusing the whole body.  These exercises reinforce the basic hand and foot movements, but in a dynamic way.  When demonstrated with a partner they show the true beauty of Aikido, and form part of the basic exercises for martial artists - Budo Taiso.

inside sweep outside sweep outside turn inside turn

UCHI MAWASHI - Tyndale & McClean

SOTO MAWASHI - Tyndale & McClean

SOTO GAESHI - Tyndale & McClean

UCHI GAESHI - Tyndale & McClean

uchi mawashi

inside-sweep

soto mawashi

outside-sweep

soto gaeshi

outside-turn

uchi gaeshi

inside-turn

 

ADVANCED PAIR EXERCISE

  - Seven Kuzushi - Omote

  - Seven Kuzushi - Urawaza

 

APPLICATIONS

O MAWASHI USHIRO ATE - Tyndale & McClean FREE PLAY (Kakarigeiko) - Adrian Tyndale & Nancy McClean
Major Sweep into Rear Attack
O Mawashi Ushiro Ate

FREE PLAY - Kakarigeiko
(click on frame to start)

 

BUDO TAISO        Exercises for martial artists

The name ‘Judo Taiso’ was the original given by Professor Tomiki.   This is not appropriate because these exercises not only apply to Judo but also are applicable to all martial arts.  ‘Budo Taiso’ is perhaps more fitting?  The original name cannot be changed but the real meaning of Tomiki’s teaching should be understood and followed.

The Japanese character ‘bu’ as in ‘bushido’ consists of the character meaning ‘to stop’.  Therefore the real meaning of bushido is not ‘to fight’ but ‘to stop using weapons and to stop fighting’.  This is the message that should be read from his teachings.

The implementation of good basics is important.  These do not and must not change.  To keep good principles and to strive to improve one's own bad habits and bad movements is imperative.

As the basics are learnt, they should be applied to other and more advanced techniques gradually.

The teachers should teach this to students and encourage them to be gentle to each other.

Our reason for studying Aikido should be for self-development and to learn how to and about helping others and to a lesser extent to fight with each other. 

All must enjoy what Aikido gives.

 

 

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