Aiki training and Aikido training (part 1)

Once when asked about how many Aikido techniques existed, O-Sensei explained 1: “There are about 3,000 basic techniques, and each one of them has 16 variations… so there are many thousands. Depending on the situation, you create new ones.”

 

"in the end
Aikido training is nothing
but Aiki training"

 

To differentiate Aiki training from Aikido training, I‘d say that in Aiki training we use different training methods to improve our Aiki abilities, whereas in Aikido training we apply Aiki to our techniques so that these techniques can become true Aikido techniques. But in the end Aikido training is nothing but Aiki training too. To me, as I said before, Aikido is the way with Aiki, therefore Aikido training is a training method that leads us to where we are able to understand Aiki and are able to work with Aiki.

 

"Aikido is a training method
that leads us to where we are able
to understand Aiki and are able
to work with Aiki"

 

When I started with solo training methods, I didn’t really have an idea about where these methods would lead me. Over the years I learned different methods from different teachers. I explored and creatively changed them to freely use them in any possible way I felt they would benefit me to improve my body coordination, my body-unity and my Aikido technique in one way or another. 

In retrospect, I can see and understand more clearly now how those solo training methods are connected and have led me to realize about this Aiki, how those training methods have helped me to develop my sensitivity and my perception abilities to the point where now I’m able to use this Aiki in my Aikido. So, depending on the training methods used and on our mindset when using them, we might, without even taking notice of the actual process, move towards Aiki, or to the contrary, we might move even further away from Aiki.

 

"by copying sensei’s technique
a few ten thousand times,
the students will
learn to understand"

 

In Aikido, as well as in other martial arts training, traditionally the students copy the techniques shown by the sensei as best as possible. The idea is by copying sensei’s technique a few ten thousand times, the students will then learn and understand not only the form but also the core and the deeper meaning of the techniques. As it is traditionally done this way, this method of learning surely represents a suitable way. Although I would like to add, that this way of learning needs an awful lot of training in an art to learn about the deeper meanings of the art. In modern life with a job and a family to run, most people can't really afford to bring up the time needed to make reasonable progress by using this traditional approach. In my humble opinion, training methods and methods of teaching need to adapt to new circumstances if an art wants to continue to exist.

 

"This method led me
to connect my body movement
with my center"

 

It was only when I started to think about ways of how things could maybe done in different and hopefully also more efficient ways, that I began dissecting and analyzing the techniques more systematically. Actually it's a pretty simple process. To know what's inside a gift package, we have to unwrap it, layer by layer, to see what's inside. It's the same with Aikido techniques, we have to unwrap them, layer by layer, to finely see which principles lie at the core of a technique. So I started to deconstruct simple body movement from the outside in and then reconstructed them from the inside out. This method led me to connect my body movement with my center. That was the base which later on allowed me to discover this Aiki's principles.

1 Quote taken from an interview with O-Sensei as published in Aikido Journal online

 

Page first published on 29.10.2023
Page last updated on 17.07.2024

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Disclaimer: everything presented in this post only represents my personal opinions based on my personal  knowledge, understanding and experiences made regarding the matter in discussion except where quotes are made. Other opinions are highly respected as long as they can withstand the argumentation. Some of the points presented may be purely speculative on my side due to the lack of evidence known to me. Any evidence presented to help clarify the points in question is highly welcomed. The post may still undergo little changes, although the content will mainly remain the same.

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