I found this comment about learning Aikido on another Aikido blog...
"If a beginner can’t remember the techniques after class is over, he or she should not be concerned or discouraged because with regard to learning techniques, the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba said, “Learn and Forget, learn and forget.”
By this, he meant that the ability to perform Aikido techniques was not based on the power of memory, but by practicing continually. It is through constant training that we will naturally remember and learn Aikido techniques and through steady and regular training, we will someday naturally and spontaneously reproduce the movements of Aikido without having to “memorize” the techniques with our minds."
I don't have much to add except that I hope it true, since remembering Aikido is...well it is just hard.
Found at
http://aikidoforbeginners.blogspot.com/2007/01/learning-aikido-techniques-is-just-too.html#links
which has a wonderful design.
11 comments:
I have no doubt that it is true. Good practice last night.
Henry Kono tells a story that when he asked Osensei why he and the other students could not perform the techniques like Osensei. Osensei answered, " You don't understand Ying and Yang. " Osensei also told his studetns that aikido has no form. At the seminar Kono Sensei explained that Ying and Yang is the foundation of aikido and the techniques are the same as from other martial arts.
What we practise is considered kihon waza (basic practise - learning techniques) and Sidney always infers that we are learning so that we can eventually perform Jui waza (free form application of aikido principles and techniques with resistance). In jui waza the situation dictates the technique in kihon waza the techniques dictates the situation. I think that eventually we should apply the principles of aikido, leaving the techniques to sort them selves out.
What is the difference from Jui Waza and Randori?
Aren't multiple spontaneous techniques used in both?
From what I have heard and read Jiu waza is usually performed with multiple attackers sometimes with an attack already determined. Randori, which is a common synonym for jiu waza, is usually all out attacks with resistance and counters. I may be wrong but these terms have different meanings and imply different skills that must be learned. Just like kihon waza means basics movements, oyo henka waza means changing techniques as resistance shows itself, and kaeshi waza means reversal techniques. I believe that different training strategies like jiu waza/randori help to develope timing, relaxation, and flow in different ways.
I get alot of information from aikiweb.com they have excellent forums for learning from other senseis.
I feel like I could practice every day for the next year, and it wouldn't speed up my progression. It seems like the formula is practice plus time, at least for me. I need the time to reflect on the techniques and let 'em sink in. And that's fine. I'm not in a rush. This has already made such a huge difference in my life -- I'm just enjoying the experience. We have a lot of good people at our dojo to practice with -- people with different styles. Something to learn from everyone.
One other thing (for now): I really enjoyed the Shomenuchi Sankyo technique we did last night. I've watched a few clips today on youtube. I realized I'm probably getting very biased to our own Sensei's style, but of the clips I saw I didn't find one that really looked as effecty. Sensei really emphasized when working with me and Brian that when you pass under the arm of Uke, you should go really deep -- which keeps you out of his reach and doesn't expose your back. In fact, he passed under pretty forcefully, almost like a second atemi. So again, I say we're really lucky to have Sidney as our teacher. While I don't want to put down other teachers' styles, it seems like Sidney's methods are particularly effective.
Well said, Bob.
or typed...
Fiddling with this
And that technique
Is of no avail.
Simply act decisively
Without reserve!
-O'sensei
I just found this quote and thought it worked well with the forget to remember motif.
Nice poem.
O'Sensei is really a fascinating person. Think of all the dojos around the world that have his picture and all bow in respect. But from what I can tell, he and his message are both complex and hard to understand.
I will probably write a post about him in the near future.
Here is one my favorites so far. This is the first I read that really connected with my training:
Even the most powerful human being
has a limited sphere of strength.
Draw him outside of that sphere
and into your own, and his strength will dissipate.
I agree about O sensei, Dave. He was and still is considered by most people, even those outside of aikido, as the greatest martial artist ever to live.
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