Classical Technique as Meditative Practice

   I tested a few students this week for advanced kyu rankings and it became apparent to me that in "classical" technique( all principles practiced from a static grip) my students were practicing as though they were in a hurry to get somewhere. They would execute the technique very quickly and then spring back up to their feet and spin around as if there were another attacker behind them. I corrected the students but felt that I should clarify some points here on this forum.

   Classical technique should be a meditative practice not unlike the the katas performed in Iaido. In Iaido you take calming breaths before you execute your kata. The kata is performed slowly so as to feel every movement in unison with natural breathing. It should be no different in performing te-waza in Aikido class. Uke grips and you take a calming breath. You execute the technique slowly so that you can feel the Ki connection between you and Uke. You feel the skeletal structure connect in Uke. You feel the taking of Uke's balance as you take his center and you feel the movements of the sword as you create the spiraling down of Uke's Ki and balance. As you complete the technique you remain quiet and motionless as you take another deep, slow, calming breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. 

This breath is very important. It is the extension of Ki energy after the final cut. In other words, the technique doesn't end after the throw or break. The Nage has to finish expelling his Ki through Uke to keep the flow going. This is necessary to calm the energy of Nage but also to prepare for expansion of the situation. If you spring up to face the next attacker behind you......when there is none....then you are not reacting to the situation but rather engaged in closed minded assumptions. After completing the technique the flow continues without thought. Consider it a type of meditation.

When you practice classical technique, instead of being in a hurry to get through it, try this-
1 take a deep breath in through the nose and out through through the mouth.
2 execute the technique while breathing deeply,in and out, once more.
3 after you've completed the technique, quietly, take one more breath in and out.

Don't do this with a lot of thought. The point of classical technique is to calm your mind and learn to do these techniques without thought or external interference.

-Theron