Aikido Samford

When practicing technique, do not just do ‘the steps’ and ‘put in the time’. The quality and intensity of practice matters.
Muscle memory does come with repetition, but if we only ‘go through the motions’ we may only arrive at the ‘surface layer’.
There is a difference between imitating movement and actually owning technique.
Practice to evolve.

Train the body to progressively observe, to discern and intuit. Start by noticing external reaction such as pushing and pulling and how we might be using substantial upper body strength.
We all reflexively do this so don’t judge, simply gather information, integrate, and evolve.

First know the Self, how our own body settles, how we allow balance to find a place. If we remain consistently grounded and centered, extended and aligned, the body will begin to assume and naturally assimilate into the correct shape.

Secondly, notice and sense uke. He is the mirror unto ourselves, the reflection of our intent. Observe how we draw him out to lead, how we attract his intention/body. How do we blend to take his balance, redirect to control?
What must we do to support his position?

Become progressively aware, so that as we advance, we can perceive the ‘oneness’.
We can sense the physical barriers eventually falling away, as uke begins to feel like an extension of the Self. At this point, without looking, we maintain control, taking his balance - knowing exactly where his back foot will land.

This is just one way to train an increasing awareness within our physical practice.
What works for you?

G. Breeland, 6th dan

Expand and draw out - take balance.
Do not push and pull.

Harmonize and blend - connect.
Do not collide and force.

Take balance to redirect and lead.
Do not grab and strongly insist.

Surrender to allow - wait for it.
Do not force to make.

Immobilize and pin
Do not cause excess pain to submit.

Aikido involves a mindset
present in manifested technique.
These notions, present (or not) can be visually observed.

If we consider uke as a part of the whole, we may discover that our interaction is relational not transactional.
We emphasize a heartened depth, reciprocity and mutual benefit.
We draw distinction from the short term, singular benefit, a partial exchange that bears ‘no heart’.

Observe the differences.

G. Breeland, 6th dan

We have all heard the teaching description: “nage should connect his center with ukes center”
Initially this was very confusing.
Especially from a wrist grab, how does nage accomplished that?

Later, the word, “musubi” was introduced.
“Musubi” means a ‘tying together’, or establishing a unified, dynamic link with uke. From a wrist grab, we can exert measured pressure connecting into the palm. We move up the wrist, through uke’s elbow, arm and shoulder, through the spine/back and assigning weight to the underside as we drop into the felt/sensed center. This path represents a ‘kinetic chain’ that allows connection from our center to ukes center. This “chain” can eventually soften with familiarity. From here we exhale with the drop, and ‘blend to redirect’.

If we were to continue with this path we can eventually sense ukes back foot. But it is the center to center connection that we need to feel and establish as we execute correct Aikido technique.

G.Breeland, 6th dan

When we raise the bokken or bring our empty hands up, we might hear “simultaneously raise the head up and drop the center down”.
When we establish a stable grounded center while extending upward we create a central equilibrium, a balance in opposite energies.
We do not solely focus on the “arms going up”.

We can copy movement visually, obtaining a good exterior look but without creating this feeling sensation, power and stability may be limited. So move with a conscious intent.

As we extend up, involve the head so the neck lengthens. If there is neck tension, there most likely will be shoulder tension.
When we ground down, we drop the body weight, rooting our center. Create a solid base - lower the hips, bend the knees.
This way we maintain a solidly grounded center, a power generated center, and
a coordinated, connected center

Lastly, manifesting coordinated opposite energies gives access to observing the feeling sensation created by a yin/yang movement.
Study the paradox of how opposite movements unify.

Continue refining and improving.

G.Breeland, 6th dan

For every aikido technique, remember our core principles:

Step off the line of attack, land in good hanmi.
Take balance, drop or sink disrupting ukes structure.
Blend to redirect, harmonize with ukes body drawing or leading him out.
Control center, our center and ukes center merge and essentially become one.

This is done in every aikido technique.
We join the energy of the attack rather than oppose it.
With practice we can become more dynamic and spontaneous, refining timing and response.

Remember that harmonizing/blending also reflects the quality of calm in the mind.

Breathe and practice.

G. Breeland, 6th dan

Intentionally control the body.

Take care to not ‘throw’ weight forward to rely on momentum. The tensioned upper body will move first throwing off central axis and alignment.
Also, while transitioning, do not rush into the next move without a ‘settled’ stability. Do not be too quick to throw.
Intentionally control movement, take the time. Notice the pauses. We are controlling not only our own body, we are also safely controlling our ukes body.
We do not force, make, insist.
Find the harmony.

Eventually, we may want to flow beautifully doing more ‘advanced techniques’.
But remember to first focus on foundation.
Improvement isn’t about grasping fancy techniques, instead, a quietly controlled, rooted stable foundation helps with economy of movement, efficiency and precision.
True strength is subtle, not showy.
A consistent good foundation will create a profound, sustainable state.

It is not magic, just clean, clear intentional movement.

G. Breeland, 6th dan

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“The timing, distance, and power that we put in the technique will change according to the partner and the environment in which we find ourselves. A great number of elements must be taken into account when facing someone: his size, agility, flexibility, knowledge, physical condition, etc. All of these parameters are perpetually changing…”

Excerpt from “Interview with Miyamoto Tsuruzo Shihan: Perceiving and Sensing”
Emmanuel Marès 15 April 2013

As advanced aikido practitioners, we adapt to our uke. We calibrate our energy accordingly to our partners ability.
We nurture sensitivity and awareness as we identify ukes range of flexibility and threshold for pain.
We consequently blend, harmonizing into a unified and effective movement.

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Even if we cannot do certain techniques, strive to be aware of the principles behind technique.
Not just the ‘how’ of techniques but also the ‘why’ of techniques.
At first, we may focus only on the physical movement but it is the guiding principles that sharpen our learning, allowing us to integrate and adapt.
If we focus only on physical technique and the number of techniques we know, we become extremely limited.
Principles outline fundamental concepts enabling proficiency, efficiency, and adaptability. We break down techniques to reveal guiding universal truths, essentially the foundational components. Hundreds of techniques rely on a relatively small set of principles. These might include concepts such as timing, distance, balance, weight distribution and leverage.

Understanding principles helps us identify the basic roots in more complicated techniques. Since principles govern how techniques are applied, we can connect and integrate new knowledge, fostering growth in both physical ability and mental resilience.
Remember that while techniques can change, principles remain constant.

Strive to understand the principles behind the techniques.

G.Breeland, 6th dan

When we ‘extend’ through the hands and fingers
We are essentially expressing the opening and extending of the entire body.
The center keeps one point, controlling our dynamic body, while the legs ‘connect’ to the ground.
The work is foundational. The body activates an aligned structural condition to manipulate and direct force from foot to hand. Our structure is strengthened by integrating and coordinating the whole body. We relax (completely) into the breath, dropping our weight into the underside, creating only essential tension. We source the ground for power.
If we maintain our calm mind and center this way, our dynamic movement is unified and concentrated.

Extending ki is more than just extending a limb or fingers outward. It is also more than simply pushing with a physical force.
We extend out with an intention, mindfully involving the entire body. Connect this ‘body feel’ sensation inward and just continue to notice.

G.Breeland 6th dan

Even if we are quick and inclined learners embodying movement takes time and constant practice. Even the best learners will eventually plateau and need to decide if they want to invest in the commitment of constant/consistent practice .

Those of us who have to work hard, practicing diligently to improve or for any kind of skill for that matter, we understand perseverance and resilience.
The natural athlete who picks up things quickly may not be used to the hard work involved in this kind of investment since ‘skills’ might initially come very easily.

However, we grow with patience. Impatience for quick results will impede any ‘invested endeavor’. Some who hear that aikido is a ‘lifelong study’ might feel discouraged by the description. Teachers may have heard the lament, “it just takes too long”.

So it is a choice, a resolute endeavor to remain committed to aikido. Amidst other disparaging remarks there are those who do choose to continue, dedicated to the pursuit of constantly refining to realize an ease.
We remain earnest and sincere in this study.

G.Breeland, 6th dan

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1988 Shihankai Public Demonstration 05 Shihan Seiichi Sugano 1988 Shihankai Seminar Public Demonstration 05 Shihan Seiichi Sugano.