What would be your advice concerning Aikido practice?
First of all, we need the power of respiration. In practice, we use not only our muscles but more practically we use the power of relaxation with visualisation and intention. Our power should come from our centre (tanden), we should drop our weight and establish our sense of centre. The sum of our conciousness can be released at once from our tanden.
Concerning weapons training?
When one first starts training, using weapons tends to interfere with the learning process of the form and the movement. Once the movement is learnt correctly, I think weapons practice is good, and we should know how to use them. It’s also a way to learn about the movement from a different angle.
What is important for improving?
Don’t be conceited, remember you will never be perfect as you continue your practice. Everyone can always improve. Also, you can only improve if you continue to practice with patience and perseverance. Also, watch good examples, and imitate them. Also being objective about your own skill is very important. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses.
What is some advice for those who are new to aikido?
At first remembering all the details of each technique can be overwhelming. Once you remember them, it’s stage one. However, many people quit before getting to that stage. As a complete martial art, Aikido is open to every one. Because of this, there is a tendency to approach and study Aikido too superficially. If you don’t take you practice seriously, you will only be going through the motions. Therefore, my advice is to try to get a feeling for the movement, and don’t worry about the details as much. No one can do it perfectly from the beginning, just try to do it as well as you can, being careful to watch those around you.
What are the other stages?
The first stage is to follow the principles of the techniques. You can strengthen your body and increase your concentration. The second stage is to think and to set goals for improvement. You become flexible and readjust yourself according to your needs to reach the goals. You become moderate, stable physicaly and mentaly therefore your energy flows more easily. The third stage is to practice, in japanese we use the word “Keiko”. Within the third stage, your practice at the dojo and in daily life are one. Whatever you do, whatever you think, you are aware that it is part of your practice. Everything is practice therefore your training becomes formless but complete. It is Budo. Your energy blends with everything. You feel things before you hear them, see them, smell them or touch them.
In brief, the system of these 3 stages can lead you to 3 important martial skills:
- Solidity
- Control
- Sensitivity (The opponent is already defeated before the fight begins.)
What do you mean by the opponent is already defeated, you said it was not about winning ?!
I mean that the goal is to conquer without battle and not conquer with battle. My training is founded on this principal.
How does one feel and practice this principal?
Just by training yourself, by being truly kind to others. Start in your own family and in the dojo. Then you will be more aware of the space around you and it’s reality.
Nomura K. (2009) “Aikido Yamato Aikikai”. Budo International Publishing
Reproduced by permission of the author ©Nomura Kazuo