Relating to Aiki

Courtesy of TrueAiki.com reader and martial artist Dick Willems There are many further possible combinations that can (and do) occur. Because it is a very important point, I will make the point again now, and in the future, that while one can, by means of using one’s body in the Read more…

As opposed to a triangle, the square is NOT considered a strong shape.  When force is applied to it, it is easily deformed. But it is this the fact that it deforms, and how exactly it deforms, that gives the square its utility for us. Because a square necessarily has Read more…

I have pretty thoroughly covered the property of the circle (a spiral as it is manifested in the human body) in earlier posts.  It, of course, is vitally important seeing as it allows one to Aiki.  Here, I will describe the circle (more accurately spiral) in relationship to how the Read more…

I’m posting photos in the hope that it holds folk over until the video is posted. Please remember that the red lines are not imaginary. There must be force running through the lines and in such a way that they all have a triangular force relationship. That is, they are Read more…

I’m going to begin with the triangle, since I think its properties might be the most familiar. The triangle is a “strong” shape. This refers to the fact that it is not easily deformed. That is, the shape itself doesn’t “voluntarily” deform or assume another shape. Rather, as long as Read more…

TRIANGLE CIRCLE SQUARE Each of these shapes has key physical properties that act as a master key to not only understanding jujutsu, Jo, and Ken applications but also how to apply Aiki (if one has developed the ability to Aiki,) in those applications.  Virtually every waza utilizes these properties in their operation.  Read more…

I imagine that many in the Aikido community has heard of the symbolic meanings of the triangle, circle and square.  One might have also heard of the physical meanings to the shapes as well.  Triangle is irimi, Circle is tankan, and Square is Osae.  But has knowing these things helped your Read more…

Ueshiba Morihei is rather known for an iconic throw that he seemed to do with greater frequency as he got older.  An uke would begin to approach him and he would put his hand up to uke’s face and uke would be thrown.  Sometimes Ueshiba sensei would touch uke’s face Read more…

This demonstration looks very similar to Shioda sensei’s typical one.  When uke powerfully approaches, the intended victim suddenly opens their carried umbrella in uke’s face seemingly knocking uke backwards.  In my opinion this is normally more of an act than an actual throw, but that is largely because uke knows Read more…

A classic example of Daito Ryu and/or Aikido disrupting dynamic equilibrium is the often-seen demonstration of Gozo Shioda bouncing back a significantly larger uke that has come to give him a powerful shove.  This “throw” can be explained using the example of the “castle stairs” trap. When constructing a castle, it was sometimes the practice Read more…