Thoughts on the Square, Circle, and Triangle in relation to technique in Aikido.

By Charles Leary

THE RELATION OF SHAPES WITHIN AIKIDO RELATIVE TO TIME AND SPACE.

The Square:   or The Maai, the space occupied by Uke and Nage.

The Circle:     or The Deai, the controlling of that space.

The Triangle:  or The Riai, the blending of Maai and Deai within the technique.

• Maai is continuous
• Deai is instantaneous
• Riai is decisiveness

THE CREATION OF SHAPES WITHIN AIKIDO TECHNIQUE.

The Square: This shape is created by the continuous harmony or symmetry of Uke and Nage at the start of, and during the technique. The Maai.

The Circle: This shape is created by the energy or spirit of the instantaneous tenkan or tia sabaki performed by Nage which envelopes Uke. The Deai.

The Triangle: This shape is created by the decisiveness of Nage executing the technique on Uke. The Riai.

THE REPRESENTATION OF SHAPES IN AIKIDO.

The Square: This shape represents ‘AI” in Aikido for within technique your position in relation to Uke is one of a blending or harmonious position.

The Circle: This shape represents “KI” in Aikido for the movements of tia sabaki are circular in nature. The redirection of energy is circular.

The Triangle: This shape represents “DO” in Aikido for the principals of the square and circle dictate the way and direction the technique must be executed.

Although these shapes have been separated to show their individual creation and representation, they are one. The square, circle, and triangle are ever present throughout the technique as one. One can not exist alone. The Triangle (RIAI) can not exist without the Circle (DEAI). The Circle (DEAI) can not exist without the Square (MAAI).

THE ABOVE CONCEPTS SHOWN IN THE KOKYUNAGE TECHNIQUE.

EXPLANATION OF DRAWING.

As Uke and Nage begin the technique of Kokyunage they are in MAAI, or The Square. As Nage steps back into hanmi (shown in the picture of left hanmi) Uke becomes unbalanced by the DEAI, or The Circle. Notice that MAAI or The Square is still present. Once Uke is unbalanced by the DEAI,  Nage executes the technique through RIAI, or The Triangle. Notice The Square and The Circle are present during RIAI, or The Triangle.

Kotegaeshi and Conflict Resolution

   Aikido is conflict resolution and no other technique demonstrates this principle better than Kotegaeshi. Uke attacks straight and Nage enters in (irimi) and pivots around (tenkan)to stand shoulder to shoulder mirroring Uke. Finally Nage redirects the energy of Uke around and down controlling the situation. This technique also works in verbal attacks outside the dojo. And thus illustrates how Aikido principles can be used in everyday life.

   Imagine you are at work and a coworker comes up to you and accuses you of scratching their car out in the employee parking lot. Their tone is not civil. As a matter of fact it enters your mind that this could wind up in a fist fight if you don’t diffuse the situation quickly. Using the blending principles of Kotegaeshi you enter in and blend to mirror him and tell him that you understand why he is angry. Furthermore you tell him this exact thing has happened to you and when it did you wanted to kill somebody.

   Do you see what you just did? You blended, shoulder to shoulder, to see it from his perspective. The essence of harmonizing with an attack. In other words, the “ai” in Aikido is “seeing from the attacker’s viewpoint.” Instead of trying to “beat” him you use conflict resolution so that nobody loses.

   The final step is to redirect the attack to take control of uke and the conflict. You tell him that you have a cousin who does body work and you might be able to get the scratch out for free. He completely calms down and thinks of you as a friend instead of a rotten S.O.B.

   ………..Kotegaeshi.

And Now... A Woman's point of view. 

I started training in Aikido when my son was six years old. We signed up my son shortly after his birthday and had no intention of doing it ourselves until he threw my husband onto the floor while he was showing what he learned in class that day. My husband was shocked and immediately saw the validity of Aikido practice and decided to join the next day.  I viewed it as something we could do as a family and was not going to be left out of the loop. I was not athletically inclined at all. I was very small at 5 feet tall and 96 lbs. I had a very stressful job and physical ailments to go with it. I soon found out that Aikido was the perfect choice. Strength and stature is not a requirement. In contrast, many times it is easier to throw a larger attacker if their momentum is heading down to meet someone of a smaller stature. Although it was tough at times, I stuck it out. Over time, I felt more and more at ease with the techniques. I loved the fluid motion and blending aspects. I used the breathing and centering to calm my nerves even out of class. I reached a better place in my life. I was able to tolerate stress better. I was physically healthier and I was surrounded by people of like mind. We became so involved in Aikido, that the dojo was our home away from home. Over the years, we trained in as many classes as possible, sometimes 7 days a week. We organized picnics, helped set up seminars, went on trips to other dojos, appeared on TV to promote the dojo and a self defense book. It was a huge part of our lives.

We learned a lot throughout the years and our Aikido friends became our Aikido family. We moved about an hour and a half away a couple of years after we earned our black belts to open our own school. Many of the students that we trained with and taught throughout the years at the original dojo left and went on to do other things. Occasionally we have an opportunity to reconnect with them. It is always a blessing. Just like blood relatives, we still feel a strong connection after all this time even through separation. Aikido brought us together and for that I am grateful. It is a beautiful and creative art and attracts many beautiful and creative people.  We still think about each and everyone that touched our lives with warm thoughts and happy memories. 

 -Heather

Openmindedness in Martial Arts

  The other day we had a visitor in the dojo named Wade. He was from South Carolina and is a Ni-kyu in Seidokan Aikido.  I love having visitors and as always we learned something new from him – an excellent way to end Kokyu-Nage(elbow chop) with a simple twist of the arm and a pin. It reinforced for me my personal philosophy of learning as much as possible and being 100% open minded to other styles. Some Associations are so introverted that they won’t allow any outside instruction or even the sharing of ideas. I always associate Martial Arts with music and with that closed minded attitude a musician who plays rock music would never even listen to blues or jazz. How empty and unrounded that individual would be. Takama Hara translates as “All Encompassing Universe”. Let’s use that thought as inspiration in all aspects of our lives, not just martial arts but with our careers, our relationships, our nutrition and even our mundane tasks of the day. We should strive to get a better understanding through open-mindedness and the acceptance that we may not know everything.

 -Theron