Aikido

Originally Posted by hideouse

You Dwellars know about bullshit already, but for any who haven't had enough yet i'd like to take a moment to say that almost all characterizations of this or that school of martial arts instruction or style are simplistic and/or wrong. To call aikido or judo "defensive" is like calling western wrestling purely defensive. The so-called style is a tool, like a gun or a knife is a tool, and can be used aggressively or not as the practicioner pleases.
The trend to call martial ways "gentle" or paths of peace, or non-violent started after Japan lost WW2. Before that terible lesson Japanese nationlists saw these practices as ways to export Japanese culture to the barbaric aliens outside the shores of Japan.While there has long been a philosophical and meditative aspect to Japanese (and other east asian) martial arts, there origins in , and utility in bloody violence is not forgotten by their cultures of origin.
Now that i've got that out of the way, Hooray for FamilyofV for starting aikido! It can be great fun!

True... the way I used it was very different than the way it is taught in dojos across the country.
I was taught by a couple of masters, after hours, specific to my job... just practical application, enhancing what I already knew, in relation to my reflexes-body type, strength, situations, numbers of opponents, etc. They told me that in a few weeks I learned things that took others years to learn.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

\\I was taught by a couple of masters, after hours, specific to my job... just practical application...They told me that in a few weeks I learned things that took others years to learn.

I've seen cops apply variations of some of the same techniques that are used in aikido, and the techniques themselves are not particularly difficult.

The disciplines, ideas and styles of thinking that are taught in true Aikido dojos (as opposed to those offering a smorgasbord of various arts who teach joint locks too) take a lot longer to impart.

[hideouse]

Originally Posted by MaggieL

I've seen cops apply variations of some of the same techniques that are used in aikido, and the techniques themselves are not particularly difficult.

The disciplines, ideas and styles of thinking that are taught in true Aikido dojos (as opposed to those offering a smorgasbord of various arts who teach joint locks too) take a lot longer to impart.

Given that the modern expression of aikido encompasses Gozo Shioda'a Yoshinkan, Ueshiba's aikikai, and Tomiki's shin-shin toitsu do, three extremely different ways of learning and practicing aikido, leads me to be wary of the phrase "true aikido". I think i know what you mean, but that phrase has been the source of a lot of contention.
Even Ueshiba didn't start his peace love and understanding trip until after WW2. Before the war he was notorious for injuring students. Gozo Shioda has been characterized by at least one of his students as "a vicious little shit who liked to hurt people". Tomiki has at least once broken both collarbones of a student although the story i heard he wasn't necessarily trying to.
The modern ideals bandied about modern aikido culture are worth listening to but be careful and critical of what you hear.
All the above is my opinion. There are many like it, but this one is mine. YMMV, etc.

Edit: Please forgive my ranting. I don't know what's come over me,,,

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by hideouse

Given that the modern expression of aikido encompasses Gozo Shioda'a Yoshinkan, Ueshiba's aikikai, and Tomiki's shin-shin toitsu do, three extremely different ways of learning and practicing aikido, leads me to be wary of the phrase "true aikido". I think i know what you mean, but that phrase has been the source of a lot of contention.

Perhaps a poorly chosen phrase on my part. I did try to clarify how I meant it.

I'd be willing to consider any of those three schools you mention as "true aikido"; I happened to train Ki Society, which is shin shin toitsu do. I have heard--through relatives that once attended a Yoshinkan dojo--that their style is...perhaps not as gentle. My sensei was always careful to never criticise any other style, while insisting that "here, we do this *this* way".

I meant to distinguish between teaching techniques that are recognizably aikido techniques from focused practice where you'll learn something more of what aiki is. In principle, that can happen anywhere, of course, but I think it's more likely in some places than others.