Shuchu-Ryoku (Focused Power)

The power that is developed by unifying the whole body

When we used physical strength, we normally assume we are dependent on the power of our muscles. In aikido, however, the power of the hips, legs, knees, abdomen and so forth, are joined together and are then focused into one point, whether it is the arm or the shoulder or the elbow and in that way the power we develop is greater than the power of the muscles alone. This power is called Shuchu-Ryoku, or focused power.

If the body as a whole moves in an unfocused way, this sort of power cannot be developed. By using shuchu-ryoku, all of the power that is brought together from the whole body can be sent out through one point. If one part is too quick, or is late, it will not work. If the whole body is integrated as it moves, its power will be the power of the focused center line concentrated into one point. To put it another way, shuchu-ryoku is chushin-ryoku at its extreme.

In order to develop shuchu-ryoku it is important not to depend on the strength of the upper body. If you do use that strength, the flow of energy will be stopped and you will not be able to transmit shuchu-ryoku. Therefore, in developing concentrated power, it is important to ensure that your body is in a relaxed mode.

In aikido techniques, it is entirely through this concentrated power that the power of the techniques is developed. The purpose of training in basic techniques is to establish in the body the ability to produce shuchu-ryoku.

The "trick" to concentrated power is in the big toe. When we fix the big toe to the floor, power comes into the hips. To that power you can then add the acceleration of the "spring"action of the knee. If these movements are all done together, a very powerful force is developed. Because of this, developing the big toes through, for example, kneeling techniques are very important.

Chushin-Ryoku ( The Power of the Center Line)

Keeping your center line straight

One of the basics of aikido is the principle of maintaining a straight center line in the body. For most people, even if they try to stand straight, their center line is not really straight. Even when we do stand straight and focus on keeping our center line fixed. we lose it again as soon as we move. If this happens, then the purpose of aikido, the development of breath power, becomes impossible.

If we are able to maintain a strong center line whatever direction we move in, we have focused power. By forging this focused power, we are also promoting strong posture, concentration and breath power.

In order to develop focused power the first and essential training is kamae. Once you have attained a stable center in your kamae, you will be able to maintain it in your techniques.

Keiko

The key is mastering aikido practice (Keiko). Without the essence of the exercise, aikido only limited theory. But once the physical exercise alone, without trying to understand the concept of aikido is like trying to get philosophical egg shell without content. Aikido exercise begins with sitting lined up facing kamiza (altar aikido). Drill instructor gestured toward the dojo in honor kamiza, then led the meditation for a few minutes.

Meditation is held two times, when the training will begin and when it is completed. Usually the first session of meditation aims to neutralize these thoughts outside the training topics that might be carried before entering the dojo. Such thoughts are cleaned in order to concentrate more on training practitioners. Problems at home or work should not affect a person's emotions when practicing, so that would be an objective exercise. The second Meditation, aiming to clear the mind and emotions that may arise during the exercise, so that when practitioners out dojo he would not carry out a problem in the dojo.
In practice, the distinction of matter between the senior and junior technique is almost not there. They practice the same technique. Techniques trained in pairs because the exercise requires absolute aikido partner. How to practice martial arts like this uniquely numbered.

Ukemi

The art of being uke, who tossed, thrown or locked, called ukemi. Ukemi is the true way of falls thus reducing the risk of injuries from falls. If uke does not understand how to drain the fall when applying a technique nage, uke can most likely get a serious injury. How to fall in aikido is divided into three, namely falling forward (mae ukemi), falling to the rear (ushiro ukemi) and fell to the side (Yoko ukemi). The way this fall aims: 1) for safety, 2) to feel how a person who fell was thrown, 3) train aikido practitioners reflexively falling body, which in real combat the risk of falling is not inevitable, 4) provide ideal conditions for the nage. Nage no need to worry about injury risk in executing the technique uke to uke aikido, ukemi because uke has good ability. If worry over the safety uke nage ukemi bad result, applications nage techniques will not run perfectly. Good Ukemi will give a real fight situation.

Good Ukemi be thoroughly tested in the dojo when the practitioners practicing free technique (Jiyu waza), where free attacking uke nage nage technique with any and neutralization techniques may use any attacks that he wanted to. In this condition the direction of fall-uke is not unexpected, because he did not know when nage throw or slam. Uke completely relies on instinct and intuition to fall safely.

Uke - Nage

Partner practice in aikido are almost absolutely necessary. Without a partner of a practitioner would have difficulty applying a technique that is being rehearsed. Practicing a technique of the throw, for example, practitioners need a "victim" who would "lend" his body to throw. Aikido exercise is the result of cooperation of two people who called nage and uke. Uke is the person who receives the application techniques and nage is the person who executes the technique. In real fights, uke - nage meaningful attackers and "me." However, in the dojo, nage uke should not be treated as opposed to being hurt.
After practicing a technique and other techniques that will change nage should thank the uke. A good uke tries to give the actual situation of fighting to the nage. This means that, in executing the attack, uke should not be playing games and should not be too harmful nage, aikido practice is different because with less fighting. In this condition nage will learn through simulation to respond to and neutralize the attack "opponents". Nage themselves must pay attention to safety factors uke when executing a technique, so that the injury or wound that does not need to be avoided.

Through this concept of learning practitioners to feel something from two different sides, so that he can put ourselves at a point of balance in the condition however; between throwing up and thrown, rich and poor, of gains and losses, fell and got up, powerful and weak.

Sempai - Kohei

The concept of senior and junior, the concept is also valid in the entire world, by people called Sempai and Kohei Japan. Sempai is someone who is more used to start or go through a "road". People who came later called Kohei. A sempai, so long as consistent with the path taken, until whenever sempai to keep this in Japanese Kohei. Consep applies to all social levels, professions, businesses, organizations and kinship relations. In aikido, a practitioner's level of formal levels are marked with the class of Kyu-Dan. This system applies to the branch of modern Japanese martial art of others, such as karate, judo and kendo, except for color belt strapped practitioners.

In practice martial arts aikido techniques, formal level practitioners do not always describe the level of skill mastery of technique. There is always a possibility that a Kohei skills may be better than his sempai. If a practitioner feels have reached the peak of mastery of aikido techniques, it is only up to where their level of development capabilities. Therefore, practicing aikido is continuing its evolution.

The main purpose of practice is not purely technical pursuit, but also learn to understand "way of harmony". The technique is taught to all practitioners at all levels are the same. Differences between sempai and kohei in the mastery of technique will be slightly visible on the speed, efficiency, coordination and good cooperation with partners in practice at the dojo.

Dojo (part 2)

Upon entering the main room dojo, a place where practitioners, practicing, practicing respect for the dojo with a little bow. As practitioners have entered restricted areas mat, he sat in seiza position, and then respectfully with bowed from a seated position. After that practitioners are still waiting for the exercise begins in the seiza sitting position. If the exercise has been completed and practitioners to leave the arena, practitioners also respect for the dojo. Other rules also apply within the dojo for pre practitioners are:

1) Footwear must not be used or placed on a gym mat; 2) If the practitioner left the practice for certain purposes, he must ask permission from the instructor; 3) All accessories such as watches, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and others must be removed when practice; 4) nails cut short and neat; 5) Conversations in the dojo when the exercises are limited to one topic that is aikido; 6) If the practitioner may have difficulty or concerns about a technique, he could not walk across the mat to ask to the instructor. He was not allowed to ask for an explanation at the right moment when the instructor was nearby; 7) Avoid violence and contest power in practice; 8) Dojo is a place to practice and work with training partners, egos must be set aside; 9) Keep clothing clean equipment and tidy.