[bamboo]

If you have any questions about aikido please ask away! I have several years experience and live with a 16 year practitioner, so answers are at my finger tips.
Anything from technical to history is welcome, I can assure you that all answers will be researched and not just opinion based.

-Bamboo

Many thanks to EvilScott for such a great suggestion.

EDIT: Please note that what follows in terms of my answers are my own understanding at only ikkyu and shodan level. Although I did seek advice from others, it is still my understanding that has been put forth. Understanding changes with time, as would many of my answers.

[EvilScott]

You must tell me about Aikido footwork!!!!

[bamboo]

Foot work in aikido is very hard to describe, but I will try.

Aikido footwork- the basics

Kamae (basic stance)- the main things to learn with your basic stance is always to maintain balance, have the hands, hips and feet at the centerline of the body, keep correct posture ( shoulders back and relaxed back straight, hands at the center as if holding a sword, and fingers separated but extended).

Your feet are both pointed forward but slightly out , shoulder width apart, your hara (center two inches below the navel) is always pointed at your uke. Your knees are bent (yoshinkan differs in that the back leg is extended) with a 60-40 weight distribution, 60 being on the forward foot.

Hips are always forward, upper body is extended so that it is slightly forward, neck is also straight. Your hands are forward (like I mentioned "holding a sword") but relaxed so that they are not rigid or over extended, much like when you chop wood..

This is the basic stance.

Irimi

Irimi or entering is the signature of aikido, we never move backwards, always entering into uke's sphere of movement. Beginneres generally learn 4 basic irimi techniques.

1- Enter direct, you move your whole body as one keeping the forward foot forward, much like a "slide".

2-entering "off the line" . This is based on the theory that uke must at some time enter into your sphere to attack, we meet the attck by moving slightly off uke's center line but still are forward and now angled at uke's center. This is done to the inside of the attack.

3. Turning and entering. Still watching the attacker by keeping the head forward, the rest of the body turns to sideways (all turns start hip or center first), hands move from center to top of head, the hands reach the top of the sphere the body snaps back into a forward position and moving forward like in the first irimi.

4. Atemi, entering and turning. Atemi is a strike (This atemi is meant as a distraction rather than a damage infliction) As uke moves in for the attack, you step to the outside of the line of attack in horse stance (just like kungfu!) When sliding forward, the forward hand strikes at the attackers head, the strike is done in a circular motion so as to end up with uke's forward limb below that of the arm doing atemi, from the horse stance, you then snap back into basic stance with your hands extended. This is the basis for kokyo nage or breath throws (internal method)

Tenkan

Tenkan is turning on the forward foot. We put our weight on the ball of the foot and turn from the hips, this essential to 80% of all techniques. In judo there is pushing and pulling, in aikido it is "enter and turn". This is the blending many people hear about, we enter directly into an attackers space and then turn with their attackinenergy to effect a throw or lock.

Basic theory

The main point of aikido footwork is to maintain proper mai-ai or critical distance, thus controlling the "de-ai" the moment of "impact" for lack of a better word and to not get hit. Much like sword work, aikido tai sabaki (footwork also translated as techniques of body displacement) involves no hard blocks but rather parrys so as to continue the momentum of the attack. We try to very hard always maintain our center line and to upset that of the attackers.

You probably have more specific questions, so feel free to please ask. I can actually work out what ifs here at home with sensei.

Hope this was somewhat helpful.

bamboo

[Umy]

I also have a question,

I was just wondering if there are any offensive techniques in aikido because from what ive seen it seems like a very defensive art.

[EvilScott]

Great answers, thanks a lot.

In Chinese MA and medicine the "Hara" is called the Dan Tien (or Tan Tien). Your footwork seems to rum on similar principles to WC regarding centerline theor, but we try to avoid circular footwork.

Once again, thanks a lot!

[bamboo]

I was just wondering if there are any offensive techniques in aikido because from what ive seen it seems like a very defensive art.

This really depends on the dojo and the teaching sensei. Uke (attacker) is supposed to be able to deliver a strong, committed, and structurally correct attack. Many aikido dojos do not properly address this. WHile we do not learn offensive techniques for attack, they should be learned for proper practice.

The basic attacks seen in the first kyu ranks are as follows:

Shomen uchi- this is basically a "chop" or downward strike with the tegatana or knife hand. This is a training tool and should not be seen as a real attack.

Yokomenuchi i- this is a lateral strike to the temple, collar bone or neck. I have seen this strike used for real and to great effect.

munesuki-straight punch- done in the style of gojoryu karate with a chambered fist, can be high or low.

mae geri- basic front kick like gojo ryu

yokogeri-side kick

mawasi geri-round kick

If taught right this are all effective attacks but are used primarily when doing a technique or rather, when the oppurtunity presents itself.
We also use atemi (striking) to elicit a response from the attacker so to create a reaction and in turn - energy to work with. In our dojo, we use boxing technique for punches and muay thai style roundhouse, they are more realistic than a traditonal attack.

Please note that attacks vary from dojo to dojo, some work with only grabs and do not practice punches, others do nor practice kicks.

Aikido is an art of peace.

bamboo

Edited to add "please note disclaimer"

[Umy]

Thanks bro, keep up the good work

[EvilScott]

Is all Aikido standing grappling or does it have groundwork. I've seen Aikido classes use Bokens, are these the only weapons Aikido trains with (mostly they train AGAINST them)?

[bamboo]

question 1.

Is all Aikido standing grappling or does it have groundwork?

There is ground work in aikido but not in the sense of BJJ. You can throw a person away from you or straight in front of you or use a control to bring them to the ground. Once on the ground we have various pin/submission techniques at our disposal. All standing techniques translate very nicely to the ground, infact, for ikkyu and shodan, you must demonstrate your knowledge in freestyle while seated, both with one attacker standing and the defender seated and with both starting seated. The standing techniques work very nicely on the ground, we do not however practice from the guard. I am fortunate enough to have a sensei well versed enough in judo newaza and the goshin no te techniques of daito-ryu to have shown us and have us practice newaza when taken down.

Aikido in the older days was only trained by people that already had a high degree of training in other arts, so newaza was not a problem. Since for many people aikido is their first art, they miss that essential training and are left to the knowledge of the dojo instructor. Some dojo's (one in colorado for example) bring in people to train in ne waza.

Question 2

I've seen Aikido classes use Bokens, are these the only weapons Aikido trains with (mostly they train AGAINST them)?

We train in Boken, jo and tanto. We learn both tachidori, jodori and tanto dori (disarming techniques) as well as offensive techniques for all of these weapons. As much of aikido is based on weapons movement, we learn to use the weapons as an extension of ourselves. My organization has a seris of 12 kumitachi (paired sword practice), several jo kata both as partners and single. Also, we learn sword vs jo techniques and vice versa. We also use shinai for much of the beginning disarming practice because getting hit on the head with a boken in a botched disarming can kill or maim.

-bamboo

[setsu nin to]

Just to say that you do great job here bamboo! Exelent thread!!!