"Hand, taille, fuß"

"Hand, taille, fuß" is a German sentence translated in English as "Hand, waist, foot". I encountered this line in a book about Wu style Tai Chi in German language. What does it mean and how is this applicable to Aikido?

 

 

 

On two previous occasions I have encountered body movement practitioners refer to the principle that the hand leads natural movement of the human body. First during a seminar held by Peter Bacas sensei he instructed that in Aikido technique the hand leads the movement of the body. This seems to contradict the often used principle that the hara, or center of the body is the main component of Aikido movement.

Peter Bacas sensei.

 

Secondly a professional dancer led a workshop whereby natural movement was to be experienced and he instructed us to lead with the hand and the body would follow naturally.

My view on this would be that solo movement as well as partner work should involve using hand movement first.

Try to move like this:

 

1. Use intent to move the hand towards the centerline of uke.

2. Try to move the hand physically towards uke.

3. When resistance is met, turn your waist towards the hand.

4. Use the feet to connect to the ground. This connects hip joints to hands.

 

In solo practice it would be like this:

 

1. Use intent to position the hand.

2. Let the hand follow the path intended.

3. Let the waist follow the movement .

4. The hip joints connect to the hands.

5. Hips are naturally connected to the feet and the ground.

 

This practice builds an integrated natural moving body with power stored for use.

 

There's an exception to the hand, waist, feet principle when using soft arms as in the next clip by Yamashima sensei. Here the feet and hips move before the hands!! The arms are like ropes which follow hara movement.

 

Enjoy practice.

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Sobue shihan demo.

 

 

Following I will present a video of Sobue shihan where a lot of principles used by Yamaguchi sensei can be observed. Some of the things I notice are:

 

- His stance often resembles a stance used in Wu Tai Chi Chuan. It looks something like this:

Back is straight, but not always upright. This builds a good ground connection.

 

- Arms are relaxed and he uses natural arcs of movement as seen in normal walking.

- Good "listening" skills.

- No awkward strength, uses structure of his body to connect to uke.

- Arms are used as "feelers" and connectors to achieve center to center contact.

- Sword like movements can easily be observed.

- Flows nicely from standing into sitting practice.

- No signs of aggression or rushing the movements.

 

 

Yamaguchi sensei has several students who are active in Aikido today. Endo, Yamashima, Tissier and Sobue are the ones I am currently studying.

 

 

Enjoy practice.

 

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Wu style push hands.

Ma Jiang Bao push hands of the Wu style of Tai Chi Chuan.

The Wu style is one of the 5 major styles of Tai Chi Chuan. A complete system which has slow form, fast form and weapons training. Also a system of push hands has been developed by the parents of Ma Jiang Bao. Internal power delivery and softness are the components which I find very interesting in this Tai Chi Style.

 

So if one wants to enhance feeling sensitivity and internal power development Wu style Tai Chi might be a great addition to Aikido practice.

 

 

Enjoy practice.

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Yamashima sensei using boken.

Yamashima sensei can sometimes be seen using the boken to explain Aikido movements. This is a teaching style which try to use from time to time and always results in a better understanding of movement. In the next clip he's seen to use it in a version of uchi kaiten nage. Notice tori doesn't move as much as uke and the subtle use of hand and arm turning in coordination with the hara. As always Yamashima also uses unbalancing techniques which are a result of his contact with uke.

 

Enjoy practice.

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Kuzushi 8 or 14 directions?

Kuzushi in Judo is usually taught in 8 directions. I saw this photo online from a Judo sensei which indicates that 14 directions can be used. In Aikido technique Fujita sensei stresses the principle of using the mae and sumi otoshi points. These virtual points present themselves best when uke stands in a combative sword like stance. When uke has a more Judo type posture maybe the 14 directions presented in the picture can be studied and applied.

So weight of uke on both feet use sumi and mae otoshi points. When uke floats or is grounded these work the best.

When uke is moving and therefore is using one foot use the directions as used in Judo practice.

Enjoy practice.

 

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Yamashima sensei connection excercise.

 

 

In the following clip from Yamashima sensei a lot can be learned concerning connection between tori and uke. During seminars of Yamashima a lot of attention is given to this particular practice method. The attack chosen is gyaku hanmi katate dori and the goal of practice would be to create a connection between uke's power and the relaxed structure of tori. Yamashima sensei stresses not to use the hand but instead use the rear foot and hip joints to connect uke to the ground. In later stages he will show the importance of using the hara region to direct the force of uke. In my opinion Yamashima sensei will use this compact structure and the elastic fascia of all body parts to instantly make a connection at the point of contact.

Recently I've thought about a whole body connection through fascia work which would not rely on a clear ground path from uke towards the rear leg of tori. This would imply that the force of uke can be felt and redirected upon contact and without a need for precise structural alignment of bones and muscles. This would require a lot of solo work towards making the necessary fascia connections.

 

The following clip will show principles used by Yamashima sensei in his practice.

 

- Use hips, not hands.

- Let uke attack strongly with structural alignment to improve connection work.

- When uke's power cannot be controlled through structure, turn the axis of your body.

- Let uke " throw" himself by using superior connectivity into one's own body and directing forces into weak points of uke. In this case towards the outside of the front foot of uke. Uke is not thrown but released into a weak spot concerning his balance.

- Use short bursts of kokyu power at the moment contact is made or has been established.

 

 

 

Thanks Lawrence for uploading the video and Aikido Leeuwarden for "next level" tips.

 

Enjoy practice.

 

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