The Different Dynamics in the Practice of Aikido Articles | Self Esteem

By: Darren Williger

The dynamics of Aikido leaves no room for definite styles and techniques when practicing the martial art. When Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba many students sought to learn from his training in the art of Aikido

On the completion of their training the teacher encouraged all his students to open their own dojos and centers of learning so they could spread the study of his martial art. Other than simply encouraging them to start their own dojos, he also encouraged them to apply flexibility and add their own principles to the study of Aikido. This was all as long as the adhered to the basic tenets of refraining from the use of force when fighting.

This principle was espoused time and again because if the techniques of Aikido are not applied carefully rather an immobilizing and diverting your opponent, you can easily kill him or cause serious injury.

Dojos have become more popular over the entire world and different techniques have been added in the study of Aikido. Regardless of these different techniques which are studied in the different dojos, a set of common techniques are used in every dojo. These techniques are taught to students so that these students can discover the strengths and weaknesses innate in the methods.

Most people claim that no one technique should be superior or inferior to the other but only a student will know which particular technique suits him or her best. This is a list of the most common Aikido techniques which are used by most practitioners of Aikido all over the world today.

1. "Ikkyo". This is also known as the "first technique," Ikkyo is the control exercised by one hand placed on the elbow and the next one on near the wrist that leverages "uke" to the floor. This method uses a grip that can apply pressure into the ulna nerve on the medial side of the arm.

2. "Nikyo". This is the "second technique." Nikyo makes use of an adductive wristlock that loops the arm and applies painful nerve pressure at the same time.

3. "Sankyo". This is the "third technique." Sankyo is a "pronating" technique which directs upward-spiraling pressure throughout the person's arm, elbow, and shoulder regions.

4. "Yonkyo" is known as the "fourth technique." Just like Ikkyo, Yonkyo is also a shoulder control but makes use of both hands in order to grip the forearm. The people practicing should use their knuckles and apply them from the palm side towards the opponent's radial nerve against the forearm bone.

5. "Gokyo". This refers to a variant of Ikkyo where the hand that grips the wrist is inverted. Also known as the "fifth technique," Gokyo is common in Tanto and other weapon take-aways.

6. "Shihonage". In this technique the practitioner's hand is folded back past the shoulder and locks the shoulder joint. This aikido technique is also known as the "four-direction throw."

7. "Kotogaeshi". This is also known as the "wrist return." This aikido technique is a shown by a supinating wristlock-throw, which stretches the person's extensor digitorum.

8. "Kokyunage". In English, this is known as the "breath throw." This is the term used for different types of flowing "timing throws" that may occur during the period of any aikido session.

9. "Iriminage". This known as the "entering-body throw" or throws where "Nage" moves through the space occupied by "Uke." This move also resembles the "clothesline" technique.

10. "Tenchinage". This is otherwise known as the "heaven-and-earth throw." This technique involves the "Uke" grabbing both wrists of the "Nage." By moving forward, the nage sweeps one hand low (this is earth) and the other high (towards the heavens), this way the Nage can unbalance the Uke.