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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 triangle can be moved through space.
The triangle (as described in the previous post) can be normally moved in several ways:
Rotating around its central axis
Rotating around one of its vertices
Attached to and revolving around a circle (spiral)
Also, the triangle can, and in waza often does, rotate around its own axis (central or vertice) while attached to and revolving around a circle (spiral).
Of course the circle/spiral and circular/spiral movement must be created and maintained by “nage.” Considering that we are basically blobs propped up by bone/sticks this isn’t exactly intuitive. Which explains why one must initially learn how to do so (usually through lots and lots of solo body movement practice), and then also practice how to do so when contacted with another body (paired and later multi-person practice) and then again, if planning to apply the movement in martial setting train so as to “convince” the body/mind that this type of movement is one’s best bet for survival. ((Simply thinking that it is, isn’t nearly good enough. One’s body/mind quickly bypasses our higher cortical processes and “runs home to mama” (doing whatever it has decided will best assure survival) regardless of one’s best intentions.)) Additionally, in Aiki waza (differentiated from Go, and Ju waza) the initial formation of the triangle is done via the circle/spiral manifested by “nage” such that forces meet orthogonally and there is no resistance. Or, in other words, via Aiki. When this is done the triangle must be allowed to follow the resultant force vector. Again, this isn’t at all intuitive, and requires a great deal of practice. When accomplished, the triangle seemingly forms of its own accord and begins to travel of its own accord. This is because there is no resistance feedback for either uke or nage. So, curiously, uke feels compelled by some “magical” force, while nage feels as though uke is tanking or moving upon their own volition. The whole thing can be a bit confusing at first.
BTW, this presents several problems for the Aiki arts. While Uke can feel what it is like to be moved with true Aiki. It also feels inexplicable, magical, magnetic, etc. It is useful for uke experience since it lets them know what Aiki feels like. However, it really gives no clue whatsoever as to how it occurs. That is the downside. In regular ju waza, and especially go waza, due to force feedback one can trace the cause of one’s movement. This makes understanding the cause, and pattern of creation much, much easier to replicate. With Aiki one feels the result, and that’s it! Of course a well meaning sensei often provides a model and a description of some sort, (like I do here) but really that is just a map with little visual, and/or visceral landmarks to relate to it. This explains why Aiki is so hard to learn and so few individuals actually come to manifest it (opting instead for ju or sometimes even go based waza), much lest manifest it at will, and even fewer can apply it effectively while under duress. But, hey! Its a nice long term hobby ;-P
IMPORTANT: The triangle actually doesn’t revolve around the circle/spiral. Rather, it is attached to the circle/spiral and the circle/spiral rotates, and the triangle moves. It might help to think of a grocery store conveyor belt (essentially a circle). We put an item on the belt, the belt rotates and the item attached (via gravity and friction) moves. That is one way the triangle is moved along the circle/spiral. Imagine taking a belt sander (running very slowly) and touching a corner of the triangle as it moves along the conveyor belt. The triangle begins to rotate as it is moving along the conveyor belt. This is a little more sophisticated means of moving the triangle. Then there is the case of the conveyor belt being a tube which can move along the path of the original conveyor belt while at the same time rotating the tube on its long axis. And then finally do the last thing while moving the entire coneyor contraption and we just begin to approach Aiki body usage availalbe to a human being. All movement is coordinated by the “master roller” that is the hara. In this series on Triangle, Circle, and Square, I’m keeping things about as basic as I can get them to be and still function.
Okay, I understand that this is nearly impossible to visualize even the most basic form of what I am describing in relationship to the human body. You’ll just have to wait for the video!
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Obviously the square is next, it shows us a unique manner in which to use our bone framed body to induce circular movement while enabling Aiki. It is my favorite, and also the most difficult for people to learn. But every voyage begins with the first step so . . . Stay tuned!!
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