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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 four sides of equal length, when it deforms, a couple of unique things happen. The two pairs of diagonal vertices will open and close (respectively) in perfectly equal proportion. We can use either the opening, or the closing. We can use either the inside, or the outside of the opening/closing angle. As already pointed out in the blogs regarding solo body movement exercises, these opening and closing lines have rotational properties that are quite handy.
For the purposes of this series of articles on the properties of the triangle, circle and square, I am going to concentrate on how the square relates to cylindrical objects.
When a square is in contact with a circle (or the circular part of a cylinder) and the square is made to deform, an interesting thing happens. If the line of the square that touches the circle begins to close, it begins to wedge under the circle. If the line of square that touches the circle begins to open, it will begin to “climb” the circle. Both of these motions have a tendency to induce the circle to rotate. Also, since both of these motions are tangential, they induce Aiki.
“Ah . . . so here we go!”
As you already know, our bodies are a collection of bones segmented together that can open and close in the manner of a square. Therefore, they can rotate in the manner of an opening/closing deforming square AND they can form tangents to other cylindrical objects (like other individuals) creating Aiki and inducing rotation.
“Ah . . . the plot thickens!”
When another’s cylindrical objects begin to rotate, because they are attached in segmented portions, they tend to open/close often forming angles due to the forces running through them. When this is done correctly, these angles can form force triangles.
“Hmmmm!”
If a force triangle continues to be rotated (via the motion of an opening/closing square) further rotation not only occurs in the force triangle, but also in the further attached cylindrical segments which cause further force triangles to form. (They tend to stack.) When done properly, Aiki relationships propagate throughout the system, thereby creating compounding (usually in a logarithmic progression due to the promotions of the human body) non-resistant movement. Eventually, this usually all commutes to the Earth.
Oh, and yes, the receiver’s body usually contorts until it collapses onto the ground. This is what Ueshiba Morihei described as, “I move and techniques appear.”
Of course, if contact is maintained, so do the force relationships. So this can continue on the ground.
If you didn’t notice, let me state it clearly, one must manifest Triangles, Circles and Squares within the one’s self in order for triangles, circles and squares to be communicated from one’s self to another. This can require a good deal of solo training to do.
Naturally, if one has learned to do this without disrupting the balance of forces within one’s body, one will maintain the balance of forces in one’s body while causing changes in the balance of forces in the bodies of those one comes into contact with.
For you smartypants people out there wondering what happens when two people that do this come into contact with each other? Dumb luck aside, whoever is the better balancer of forces, and therefore is the least resistant and has the grater Aiki, will balance the forces. Or, put another way, whoever has the most dirt (resistance) in their system will be “balanced.”
Also, the relative magnitude of forces one can balance plays a role as well. There is no “invincible warrior” and everyone has their limitations. The Universe always wins a contest between man and the Universe. Therefore, wise humans chose to conform their balance to the balance dictated by the Universe!
Is this just a bunch of mumbo jumbo that doesn’t mean nothing? No problem! Physics is like that for many. Ueshiba’s explanations certainly were that way for most. Physics has never had its feelings hurt by the non-understanding of humans.
For those of you still interested. I’ll try to relate all of the above in a video featuring how the properties of triangle, circle and square form patterns that result in movements that form many familiar techniques in the hope that this becomes more comprehensible.
I hasten to emphasize that the point ISN”T how this relates to waza though. That would be to subvert Ueshiba’s model. The point is to lead to an understanding of how these patterns relate to each other and spontaneously produce techniques.
In other words, Takemusu Aiki doesn’t point to a set of waza. Spontaneous waza (like the myriad waza that Takeda and Ueshiba et al. produced) points to Takemusu Aiki. And Takemusu points to the nature of Aiki. And the nature of Aiki points to the nature of the Universe. And the nature of the Universe points to the nature of that which produced the Universe.
It is best to keep one’s priorities in proper order.
Well then, I guess that is all I’ll write on this subject until I get around to posting a related video. A TrueAiki reader mentioned possibly making some related animations as well.
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2 Comments
fred veer · December 31, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Hi Allen,
Missing our X-mass traing again this year, but thanks for the great post to keep us alert.
Is there a difference where two people are in movement and the circle steers the movement of the non aiki and where the aiki movement initiates the movement in a stationary non aiki person ?
As an example is there a difference in applying aiki to a moving tsuki arm or at the end of the tsuki movement when the arm is (momentary) stationary.
regards, fred
Allen Beebe · January 5, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Hi Fred,
I’m keeping my fingers crossed (that is about as much control over the situation as I have) that we’ll be able to train in Europe this summer.
Great question, as usual. That is what is so great about Aiki, it “just works.” So it really doesn’t matter if the object being “Aiki’ed” is moving or not. As is so often pointed to by those that really had Aiki, what matters most is how well one is manifesting Aiki within themselves. Or, to put it another way, what matters most is how well one is balancing the forces that are presently under one’s control. If one is doing that well at that process, the odds are far greater that they will continue to do well should other forces come under their control.
As an example, if a car does a good job at balancing the forces within itself while on a hydraulic lift, it will very likely do just as well when set upon the earth. (One can think of the earth as static or dynamic. It doesn’t matter in this example.)
It is generally easier to learn Aiki with an outside force passively (like being grabbed), then semi-passively with another initiating contact, and finally actively with one’s self initiating contact. The reason for this has little to do with Aiki itself and more to do with our human tendency to seek, or to create, resistance when acting proactively.
Nevertheless, it all begins in one’s domain. If one cannot create Aiki in one’s self (we all have active forces within ourselves), one cannot hope to create Aiki with a force outside one’s self. [The truth is, we can only ever Aiki forces that come under our influence. Trying to do otherwise is a common failure.]
All the best, Allen