I may consider aikido if...

[47MartialMan]

I find it a bit ironic that the reason one of the highest ranking members in our class even takes Aikido was because of a barroom fight. A massive guy picked him up and slammed him into a table, it caused my sempi to be knocked unconsious. He swears by it that he has never had any problems anymore in bars that he couldn't handle. He's almost a blackbelt now, I trust his judgment.

Its all in how you train, and how you're tought, a lot of what Aikido is taught to me as that even before the fight you should be away from it, and if you end up in a fight, then its too late. I don't train to fight, I train to defend myself if I have to.

Good points.

If there is no confrontation, there is no victory and no defeat.

[Tom Yum]

I like your philosophy .

[47MartialMan]

It is strange, the LONGER I train, the LESSER I am in a physical confrontation.

[blend]

values

i still struggle with my own ego and insecurity at times...

as a reflection of my dominant value, i would answer the initial post by saying a true aikidoka would never find himself/herself in that situation...
idealistic?.. perhaps. however, it's an expression of the value that is important to me and that i strive to live by.

a more empowering question to me is "how did i get myself into this situation?" that gives me responsibility and thus the power to do something about it.

[onemanlan]

i still struggle with my own ego and insecurity at times...

as a reflection of my dominant value, i would answer the initial post by saying a true aikidoka would never find himself/herself in that situation...
idealistic?.. perhaps. however, it's an expression of the value that is important to me and that i strive to live by.

a more empowering question to me is "how did i get myself into this situation?" that gives me responsibility and thus the power to do something about it.

Read the last few post by me and I think it says something along the same lines. If not, I'm not trying to put words in your mouth.

[blend]

yes onemanlan. i did go back and read your posts more carefully. we seem to be talking along the same lines. please excuse me for not acknowledging that in my original post.

[47MartialMan]

Hmmnnn...nice reply

i still struggle with my own ego and insecurity at times...
As a martial artist, many decades would go by and expereinces will have these virtually diminish.

as a reflection of my dominant value, i would answer the initial post by saying a true aikidoka would never find himself/herself in that situation...
idealistic?.. perhaps. however, it's an expression of the value that is important to me and that i strive to live by.
A true Akidioka is tantamount to a true Martial Artist. There isnt a separation per style. The separation is from beginner to advanced. Such of much advanced is mentality and control.

a more empowering question to me is "how did i get myself into this situation?" that gives me responsibility and thus the power to do something about it.
The most empowering question is not one asked to oneself. Upon the motion of any situation, many novice martial artists, or people under pressure, do not ponder thoughts of a situation as it unfolds.

[blend]

"The most empowering question is not one asked to oneself. Upon the motion of any situation, many novice martial artists, or people under pressure, do not ponder thoughts of a situation as it unfolds."

-47MartialMan


this perked my interest.

1.what do you consider the most empowering question? whom should ask whom?

2.please allow me to clarify... the empowering question is mainly a tool to use in learning from previous experience. therefore, if you have found yourself in the original hypothetical situation in the past, i would ask the question "how DID i come to be there?" learn from it, grow and move on.

questions such as "what would happen if flying spider mask fought drooping duck's tail?" or how would "sexy fluffy duck sweep" deal with a blindside clothesline?"... what exactly are people expressing through these questions? what are they really asking? what can we learn from them?

[47MartialMan]

I guess it had perked your interest.....

1.what do you consider the most empowering question? whom should ask whom?
I was generlaizing in reference to when a pressured situation unfolds. Sometimes, such studious questions are not thought of.


2.please allow me to clarify... the empowering question is mainly a tool to use in learning from previous experience. therefore, if you have found yourself in the original hypothetical situation in the past, i would ask the question "how DID i come to be there?" learn from it, grow and move on.
The empowering question is of past experience......
However, one can ask a empowering question for future use-before a situation.


questions such as "what would happen if flying spider mask fought drooping duck's tail?" or how would "sexy fluffy duck sweep" deal with a blindside clothesline?"... what exactly are people expressing through these questions? what are they really asking? what can we learn from them?
Flying Spider Mask may win against the Drooping Duck Tail-depends on the skill of each. Sexy Fluffy Duck Sweep should "duck" a blindside clothesline.

[intersimi]

Hi all,

I practiced ninjutsu in 1984, Judo in 1989, Boxing in 1991 and am currently practicing Aikido, since 1992 (on and off).

I am currently 32 and never been in a serious fight. I enjoy going out with my mates and getting drunk, but yet I have never come across the sort of violence talked about in these forums. I don't ever intend to be a bouncer or a bodyguard.

What I do train in Aikido for (Yoshinkan Aikido) is self confidance. self confidance that if I were ever attacked outside of a pub or in the street, I would be able to defend myself. I am not a super fit guy, just a normal guy, who can and will practice Aikido until I am old. The fact that I can practice Aikido until I am old and frail appeals to me. I do not want to push weights or do 1000 push ups, just so that I can beat the next person. I train because I enjoy to train.

What would I do if a shoot fighter went to take out my legs? In all honesty I do not know. I guess the follow on question would be "what if he went to take your legs, but then upper cutted you in the jaw". The point being you never know what someone is going to do.

I guess if the question was straight forward, I would probably do something like Taiotoshi (Judo) and let their own momentum take them over. Of course this is all hyperthetical and assuming that they over reach etc. Taiotoshi is very similar to the Aikido Koshinage range of techniques, so I guess you could say that aikido technique would be Koshinage, however it all depends on how high the attackers body is. like I said it is hyperthetical.

[onemanlan]

I agree with you fully. In my class my sensei does a self defense session at the end of class, hes pretty much open to suggestions. It anything from judo, to karate, etc.

[intersimi]

Our lessons are pretty much structured like this:
Over 2 hours

1st hour - Basic techniques beginners and experienced together
next 30 mins - experienced grades train together and practice jiyuwaza (freestyle) type of attacks and techniques
next 15 mins - all together for consolidation techniques (re-engage brain)
last 15 mins - suwari waza kokyu-ho and Kihon Dosa (sitting breath throws and basic posture stances)

This I feel works really well for all grades concerned. The jiyuwaza style of training, is generally something like, someone grabs you from behind in a bear hug and you have to try and escape. For these type of things I rely on Judo to escape, then aikido if the attacker gomes back in.

Just a thought

[47MartialMan]

Intersimi has a valid post, the "what ifs" are infintitive and thread/posts, re-surfacing over and over.

It is not the art but the artist.

It is not about total physical fighting, but fighting off physical via discipline, etc.

[Aikido]

To become great with the art of Aikido, that would require you to look upon a fight in an entirely different manner. I personally believe it is the most effective defense grappling art of all. Timing, is critical in every moment. Good timing as well as superior reflex's. It is also based on form. Any mistakes made, whether in footwork or hand positioning, can backfire to you instantly.

I'm just an average teenager. I stand 5'6 1/2 at 135 pounds. I personally find Aikido useful for the average person, considering the weight of your opponent may as well be bigger, but the center mass of them is greater. And the real goal is unbalancing their center and use their weight against them.

[jubaji]

To become great with the art of Aikido, that would require you to look upon a fight in an entirely different manner. I personally believe it is the most effective defense grappling art of all. .

Based on what?