AIKIDO ACADEMY
SINGAPORE
Tommy Chia Sensei's Sharing
Beyond Physical Aikido Techniques
Gaining mere physical knowledge and technical skill is not the goal of Aikido practice. We must work to improve our characters and raise our consciousness to higher levels. The study of Aikido cannot be a selfish study. Our Aikido study must help develop our sensitivities toward others and our concern for them in our daily interactions, both in and out of the dojo. Such understanding must accompany our technical development. If we are ignorant of the effects that our actions have on the minds and body of our partners, we will never realise the true purpose of practice, let alone effective techniques.This is why it is so important that we never practise in such a way that we cause pain and injuries to our partners. This is our moral responsibility.
Another aspect that some may have overlook is the wearing of Hakama, whose meaning currently has degenerated from a symbol of traditional virtue to that of a status symbol for the Yudansha. Most of them think of the Hakama as a price for display, or as the visible symbol of their superiority and rank. This type of attitude makes the ceremonial bowing to O’Sensei (with which we begin and end each class) a mockery of his memory and his art. I personally feel that knowing the physical Aikido techniques without understanding the principles and purpose will make Aikido just another form of fighting. I believe the purpose of Aikido is to better people's lives and to help their spirits blossom and become strong. Ultimately to make better people to make a better world.
24 November 2014
In Aikido practice, connection and cooperation between Uke and Nage are an importance elements for good training. Cooperation, in Aikido, does not mean that uke automatically give in to any action that nage takes. Rather it means that uke must be aware of the condition that he or she is trying to create for nage so that nage may practice a particular technique. Uke must also respond appropriately to nage's movement.
Nage must be aware that uke is giving him or herself willingly to nage for the purpose of training. While making use of the training opportunity that uke is giving, nage must never take unfair advantage of uke's cooperation. So it is importance that nage never practice in sure a way that nage will become angry or emotional or to attempt to cause pain or injury to uke intentionally is not just a breach of etiquette, it is destructive to nage as well as to uke. This is moral responsibility.
15 January 2007