Yamashima shomen uchi principles.

The next video reveals a lot of principles used by Yamashima sensei for shomen uchi attacks.

 

 

1. Shomen uchi ikkyo. Yamashima uses arms to make center to center contact and uproots uke from underneath.

2. Shomen uchi irimi nage. Opening of the centerline to create centerline attack from behind uke.

3. Armpit closes and arms resemble boken like movements, but with relaxed intention.

4. During irimi nage Yamashima sensei uses the lower arm of uke to control uke's center.

5. Irimi nage "throw" is closing of centerline and release of tensile strength.

6. Yamashima sensei arms are used as antenna's. To feel and connect to his own center and uke's center.

7. Alternative irimi movements against shomen uchi attacks.

8. Arms are relaxed and therefore always "fall" naturally in front of his own center.

 

 

 

A lot of principles can and be studied using Youtube and can be experimented upon in your dojo with a partner.

 

Enjoy practice.

 

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Zhan zhuang posture

Why do a standing meditation posture for a movement based art?

 

Whang Xian Zhai.

 

 

 

 

The zhan zhuang posture will provide:

 

- Better feeling of balance.

- Improvement of hanmi posture in Aikido.

- Relaxation of the muscles.

- Opening of the joints.

- Provide structural alignment in your movements.

- Improvement of will power.

 

These are just a few of the benefits I encountered while practicing this unique excercise. A lot if martial arts have stillness training but in the Chinese martial arts there's been a martial art which used the zhan zhuang posture as their prime excercise. This martial art is called I Chuan. The originator Whang Xiang Zhai developed his method from Xing Yi, one of the three main schools of internal martial arts.

I would encourage every Aikido practitioner to study this posture and add it to your daily routine.

 

A few books I recommend would be.

 

The way of power by Lam Kam Chuen. Also available in Dutch as Da Cheng Chuan.

 

 

Warriors of stillness by Jan Diepersloot.

 

Enjoy practice.

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Corpse pose.

Stiff as a corpse?

 

Today I'd like to give attention to a pose from Yoga which in my view will result in the most optimum state for relaxation. To relax the muscles is an essential part of Aikido practice. Unfortunately not a lot of Aikidoka really know how to do it. This excercise can be very beneficial to achieve this kind of relaxation. When you think about a corpse the last thing on your mind will be a relaxed state of being. Stiff and hard are the terms I come to think of. The times I can remember to be totally relaxed would be either when drunk or falling asleep. This pose can give you the benefits of total relaxation while being mindful of it. And no hangover :)

 

First I'd like to recommend a book called "Anatomy of Hatha Yoga" by David Coulter. Very usefull guide for any bodywork practitioner.

What makes it that the core ingredients and the stuff that make Aikido "work" are to be found in practices which involve relaxation and stillness of the mind? Only one way to find out.... To practice diligently and incorporate these excercises in your daily routine. Maybe you'll gain a lot more than only Aikido enhancing skills.

Enjoy practice and this instructional video.

 

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Three excercises for solo training.

Corpse pose from Yoga.

 

I'd like to recommend three excercises which will give substance to your Aikido techniques. A lot of Aikido will be nice to look at but will lack content. What I mean by this, it's mostly an empty or "dead" form. The techniques are imitated but there's something missing. Usually the first few years of practice will consist of trying to remember the techniques and take tests. I've always got this feeling that there's something lacking. One could compare this to a beautiful bottle of wine which has a bad or mediocre tasting wine in it. The opposite can also be true, form not beautiful but with intent and alive. What's missing and how to fill your best bottle with the best wine there is?

 

I'd like my techniques to be filled with:

- Relaxed effortless power.

- Spontaneous adjustments of techniques.

- Balanced movements.

- Listening energy.

 

My top three solo excercises to attain these qualities would be:

1. Corpse pose from Yoga.

2. Zhan Zhuang posture from I Chuan.

3. Zazen posture from Zen Buddhism.

 

So when you feel something's missing, keep your attention on the next posts where I will share my view concerning these very interesting excercises. It should be noted that these excercises are done in addition to your "regular" Aikido practice.

 

Enjoy practice.

 

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Opening of the joints.

 

 

 

I've studied a lot of literature concerning internal martial arts and mostly Tai chi texts. A lot of these articles contain the advice to "open the joints". Recently I came across an article in a Tai chi magazine which discussed the internal work of the Wu/Hao style of Tai chi. This style is one of the five main styles of Tai chi. The others are Chen, Yang, Wu and Sun style. Be sure to check these styles when interested in the development of internal strength and body motion in Aikido.

 

The article I read explained the method of power development in the Wu/Hao style. The idea is to "open the joints and drop the muscle". What does this mean and how is this trained? The body has numerous joints which can be expanded. This is a kind of expansion or extension which can be used in Aikido training. The feeling one tries to develop is likened to an overall inflation of the body. One feels bigger and larger than before the opening of the joints. The muscle however, must drop and give in to gravity. This will create a feeling of grounding as opposed to floating. The elasticity of the tissues will create a spring like power which rebounds from the ground to the point of contact. When pressure is put on your structure the joints compress and at the same time the muscle tissue returns the force into the opponent's structure creating a connection. When pressure is released one returns to the original "open" state. Usually a throw or joint lock has been made effortlessly.

 

So be sure to "open the joints and drop the muscle" at all times and use your breath power in coordination with your body movements and effortless power can be achieved.

 

One of the best Youtube channels which explain this type of force would be this Sifu. He's got a lot of video's which explain these concepts really well.

 

 

Enjoy practice.

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