Ukemi and fear

Ukemi.

The practice of "falling down" is a big part of Aikido training. Tori practices the technique which has been shown, uke takes the appropriate ukemi. Is this way of training the way to learn to take natural ukemi?

First of all a decent amount of time is spent on solo training of ukemi. Forward, backward, sideways, standing, sitting, with a slap of the arm, free falls and more can be practiced. This is a physical way of training and often used as a part of warming up. I think this is an excellent way of starting a training session. The body is cardiovascular challenged and circulation is improved. Concentration on the falls is necessary and there will be a certain amount of stress reduction concerning the feared ground contact.

 

How can ukemi, the receiving of technique, become more natural and improved?

The greatest challenge concerning ukemi will be the letting go of pre-conceived ideas and expectations of what's going to happen. Simply put: Fear is causing problems.

Fear can only exist when there's thought about the future. There's an assumption of what will happen or likely to happen which causes stress. Natural ukemi will be free of fear or distress, because it will be impossible to think about the past or future. Saotome sensei mentioned in one of his books a phrase which sums it up perfectly. Now is now!

Good ukemi will feel effortless and a natural consequence of the harmonious interaction practiced in Aikido.

 

Next clip will show some techniques but instead try concentrating on ukemi skills.

 

 

 

 

 

A few tips for training:

1. Practice all kinds of falls on your own.

2. Give unconditional energy towards the center of your partner.

3. Don't think about wat is likely to happen.

4. As uke, "feel" the movements of tori while excecuting techniques.

 

Personally I feel my ukemi skills have improved, but still aren't natural and completely free of fear. Shimizu sensei once said the moment one's ukemi become natural, Aikido can be experienced and improved upon drastically. "Good uke becomes good nage"

 

Things to avoid in trying to improve ukemi:

1. Showing of ukemi skills on behalf of a demonstration. To make it look good or because of egoistic reasons.

2. To take falls because one is practicing with a higher grade out of respect.

3. To do ukemi which fits the technique. This is a thinking process based ukemi and therefore to slow to be natural.

4. Have fear of injuring oneself.

 

To conclude:

Ideally tori and uke will experience harmonious interaction where movement happens in a instant and naturally. This will only be possible when there will be no fear or anger during your practice.

 

Enjoy practice.

 

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