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.

Dojo (part 1)

Places to practice a "road" (Do) is called Dojo. Aikido dojo in general-shaped building with a special interior construction. Here is the best senior and junior practitioners practicing martial arts aikido techniques. Safety mat is a special feature that exists in every dojo for aikido techniques using slam and throw a lot. In Japan, a safety mat made of woven straw mattress with dimensions resembling two meters long and one meter wide with a thickness of 6 inches. Is called a tatami mat. But now this mat made of foam rubber with the same size dimensions. Interior construction standard aikido dojo consists of: 1) The name of the dojo and office space for management activities such aikido in the dojo; 2) The place to change clothes; 3) Arena to practice a square or rectangle covered by the mat; 4) Altar with the kanji calligraphy and photographs O'sensei aikido Morihei Ueshiba; 5) The place for visitors and guests who usually beyond the area covered mattress.

Dojo is a place of mental and physical forging aikido practitioners. Therefore, aikido tradition requires practitioners to respect dojo. Dojo tend to be perceived as a place of ritual. So even though in essence is just a place to practice aikido dojo, dojo is not treated as sports arenas, where people are free in and out and acted arbitrarily. There are certain ethical and deeper into the dojo.

Flow

All implementation strategies and techniques of aikido martial character of flow. One movement to the next movement is not done with disjointed. Starting from how to get into the opponent side, atemi, solution concentration, balance and neutralization techniques as a final series of aikido movements made in one single smooth movement.

The reason is very simple. Technique flowing like water. Thus, an attacker who has been in self-control advocates will not have a chance to get up, designing further attacks or to escape from self-defense techniques to the attacker really has been paralyzed. Striker "dragged" in the flow of "current" self-defense. Every pause in the movement of aikido, essentially always going to provide opportunities for attackers to escape from a series of aikido techniques or provide counter-attack when conditions allow. This will be detrimental to the position of self defense.

In addition, the halting movement will require more power than in the flowing movement. As an analogy, a person on a bicycle and all of a sudden he had brakes on his bike. As a result to continue to run smoothly, he needed more power for longer pedaled to be running at a speed as before.

Atemi

Atemi literally means a blow. Aikido does not specifically teach and train the punch and kick techniques, although very important function in aikido atemi own. Functions atemi in aikido is not to knock down the attacker, because it was not the main focus atemi aikido techniques. Atemi function more as a tool to divide and destroy the equilibrium concentration of opponents. Opponent's attack.

The defense saw a gap open themselves to break the concentration of opponents. Say it is the opponent's ribs. As he signed with irimi motion, the defense is self-giving to the ribs atemi opponent. It happened in an instant. As quickly as the attack came. The attacker will subside momentarily. Concentration will be split between strategy and efforts to assault with a pain in the ribs, so the attacker is disoriented for a moment the attack. At a time like this, will the momentum of the attack despite a vacancy occurs in just seconds. However, little time was enough to give an opportunity for self-defense techniques for applying the neutralization of an attack and make the opponent fall. In this condition, atemi more useful to simplify and make way for the application of aikido techniques such as neutralization slam attacks, throws or joint locks. The final goal is settlement fights these neutralization techniques. Knock Out your opponent is not beating.

Suki

Defenders themselves tough to think and see as attackers think and see. Attackers will always find a gap where he could land an attack. Cracks are a lot of stuff. In broad outline of this gap is the opening (suki), which can be used both for offensive and defensive strategies. Suki can form parts of the body that is weak or vulnerable because it is not well protected.

Suki also includes an easy balance to your body shaken and dropped. Defenders themselves very careful attention to his opponent suki.

When an attacker wants to remove the "power" to strike, at the same time she let him open a few defenses. When he let go of the attack, she opened her weaknesses also. When the defenders themselves can take advantage of his opponent entered the time of the attack or were still active, your opponent will easily dropped immediately without spending a lot of energy.

Ma ai (appropriate distance)

In a brawl, between attackers and defenders themselves of course there is the distance separating the two. Ma ai here literally means "an appropriate distance" or distance that is safe for the attackers and defenders themselves when they engage in fights. Ma ai in a fight to be understood from two viewpoints, namely viewpoint attackers and defenders themselves.
The attacker would not be able to attack from long distances if the attack was not carried out with weapons that can be thrown towards the target of attacks. Therefore, the attacker needs to approach the target, until he gained enough distance to attack effectively. However, if the distance is too close to the attacker attacks the target, then the body position can be turned into "the target of attack" for self defense.
Conversely, self defense will not be free to defend themselves if the distance was too close to the attacker. He needs enough space to be able to apply his martial strategy. Distance effective for self defense is the distance where he was not too far from the attackers, nor too close, so that he could do something against a surprise attack and can develop good self-defense techniques. Ma ai in broad outline can be determined from the range of hands and feet of a person against his opponent. However, in general, the proper ma ai can be determined from each end of the reach of both hands when they fight without using weapons.

Kamae

All martial arts techniques of any flow is always underpinned by a good leg strength, type and strength of the foot itself is very diverse in every type of martial arts. Leg strength is a way of standing and position of the right foot in the face of attack. The second leg will take the body of self defense to the desired place when the defenders themselves in a brawl. Both also provide convenience and flexibility for self defense for the body lowers, rises, avoidance of preparation for launching an attack or sustain blows and kicks. In some branches of the martial, which is good and strong legs provide a good and strong position for self defense to rebut or cast powerful punches and kicks. Therefore, if martial arts practitioners are not able to regulate the establishment of a good way when he faced the attack, his balance would be easy to fall. In an unsteady, self defense would be an easy target for your opponent attacks.
As mentioned above, the strategy of the martial aikido techniques in principle not opposed to power your opponent. Therefore when the attack came, practitioners chime in and flow with the attack in a way closer to the opponent's body or around it and follow the direction of motion of the opponent. For this purpose, the practitioner must be able to move quickly offset the opponent's attack speed.

Why not be conducted in aikido?

Lots of reasons. First, the match is the place to seek achievement and recognition of who the best of the match participants. The element of competition is something that can not be avoided. Aikido techniques many use the locks at points joints and kickback. Two people who competed with each other will not surrender to admit that his opponent is superior. When technical locks and slam the opponent so that the opponent be forced to admit defeat and victory of one participant, the risk of fatal injuries such as broken bones, bruises and the other is great.

Even if the match in the form of aikido to outdo each other exists, and someone recognized as the winner, what did he get just recognition. Pride and satisfaction lies only on the recognition as a champion. However, if only for a kind of praise and recognition that other people should be hurt?

The most basic concepts of martial arts is self defense when attacked by a real opponent, not the opponent in the match. Martial essence is to seek salvation, not only in fact looking for danger. The second reason, it is often mistaken about the martial arts martial is considered as a fighting art. Aikido martial art training is a tool to understand the way of harmony, not being a practitioner of a fighter. Achievement is not intrinsically important to the path of harmony.

What is aikido?

Aikido is a defensive manner in which the assailant used force in such a way to fight himself. The main idea behind the strategy itself is the utilization factor of the direction, energy and momentum of the opponent attacks combined with the use of body balance factor for the knockdown. The attack paralyzed the opponent just once during the attack or will run. The main focus is the neutralization of technical aikido attacker's body parts used as a tool of attack, not a counter-attack against the attacker's body. Broadly speaking, technical martial composed of technical aikido joint locks, throws or kickback. Some specific technical developed to neutralize an armed attack such as swords, sticks and knives. Aikido techniques foot movement similar to the technical movement of the foot on kenjutsu martial, where the defenders themselves use shift or tenkan irimi feet when faced with attacks and trying to get into the center of attack.

Aikido as an art of self defense to train the coordination between mind and body of a practitioner to be more integrated in the face of attack. Aikido emphasizes relaxation both biologically and psychologically in self-defense. That way, the response of self-defense against an attack will be better and not much energy being drained.

Why do people study martial arts?

Circumstances of each individual in combat situations varies widely, depending on the condition of mental, physical, and perhaps maturity. When people in the minimal stage viewed from the aspect of the martial strategy both physically and mentally, this is what will happen. When he was provoked and attacked, he would necessarily give replies to the section or anywhere on the opponent's body home to satisfy his desire for attacked others. Excessive emotions lead to vandalism attacks target. He might have defended himself by excess. But how these ineffective and inefficient. Not necessarily succeed. If one has the mental and physical preparation are trained in martial arts, his defense strategy will be more focused and not excessive.
At least people have more choices and have a better position to deal with physical conflict with another person if he has good self-defense mechanism. For example, a person you commit armed robbery with a knife because he wanted the contents of your wallet. Instantly lock your hands until he fell to the ground. Because he knows you are not a weak person, he will soon leave you. He survived, and you also saved. The situation will be different when you shout "robbed". He will hurt you. You may be wounded, he fled. People crowded beat. Then he may be dead or badly wounded.

Sometimes people are forced to fight, so if you want to live in peace, prepare for war.

Things I want to put forward here is the motivation and the main factors why a conflict that ended with fights can occur. The motivation is the interests of some individuals or groups against others. The main factor is the conflict of interest and the worst solution is to fight.
Fights are always involves two elements, attackers and defenders themselves. In this context, self-defense defense defense is passive. Element can also consist of attacker and fight the attacker. Here are aggressive fights active. Attacking each other.
If you are a person who loves peace, you will not want to stand out as the attacker when forced to fight. Because you do not like fights. Conversely, if you like violence and fighting, you will often put yourself as an attacker.
Now, for example you are a person who does not love the violent path to solve your problem, does that mean that by itself already a guarantee that you will live in peace?
There is always a possibility in your lifetime, you're forced to fight. Your political opponents want to hurt you, you are robbed, your family members injured people. Are you going to stay silent? While you are physically weak people though, the situation will force you to do something. You must defend yourself.

Preface

Aikido is a branch of martial arts originating from Japan land. This martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), an expert in martial arts master the ancient Japanese martial arts like jujutsu, kenjutsu and yarijutsu. Morihei Ushiba change various martial arts techniques with various modifications and improvements to become its own self-defense if the motion which he named Aikido.

Aikido, as a phenomenon of self-defense, is quite unique. Aikido is an inseparable duality between self-defense techniques and philosophy. On the first side, aikido serves as a tool or a way of defending themselves. As a philosophy, aikido is a "way of life" or way of looking to "see" and live your life. aikido purposes not only formed the practitioner to be able to defend themselves against attack your opponent, but also increase the "awareness" of the existence of a practitioner's spiritual self, others and the universe.

The concept of martial arts aikido techniques such as use of physical factors and energy toward your opponent to use self defense in dropping the attacker. Labor opponent is not opposed, but discharged or reversed to the original. The way this defense martial will not be too physically demanding self defense in the face of the attacker, so this can be done by all the people both men and women of various ages.