{"id":4253,"date":"2016-06-11T14:41:31","date_gmt":"2016-06-11T18:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/?p=4253"},"modified":"2023-07-24T15:00:14","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T19:00:14","slug":"lessons-o-sensei","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/lessons-o-sensei\/","title":{"rendered":"Strike Lessons from O-Sensei"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei, affectionately called O-Sensei (Great Teacher) by students, warned, \u201cIn your training, do not be in a hurry, for it takes a minimum of ten years to master the basics and advance to the first rung.\u201d\u00a0 There are many steps.\u00a0 If it takes ten years to get to the first one, if will take an equal amount of time if not more to reach the second stage, and then the third, and so on.\u00a0 There is no end in sight.\u00a0 Some people, when they begin training, think that the techniques are all there is to a martial art, but in reality, everything has multiple layers of meaning.\u00a0 There are obviously spiritual awakenings that can occur because of hard training (shugyo), but even within the confines of physical techniques alone, there are many principles to uncover.\u00a0 Multiple layers exist in even a concept as seemingly straightforward as striking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2.11\"<\/a>The beginner\u2019s level is clear to anyone, even those with no training whatsoever: using the limbs or other body parts to hit an opponent.\u00a0 When students begin to train in a martial art, they first see this as straightforward.\u00a0 Then they begin to learn about the body\u2019s pressure points, and they learn the kind of damage that can be caused by striking such points.\u00a0 Students learn that certain weapons are more effective for targeting certain points, and they practice to use the fists, fingers, elbows, knees, big toe, and more to utilize such targets effectively.\u00a0 It will take years for them to become proficient: to move correctly.\u00a0 Next, they have to learn how to develop power, so they perform kokyu-ryoku<\/em> (breath-training) and engage in solo training to develop a more connected body.\u00a0 Once they have developed some power, they learn how to issue it through the hands and feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

After all this work has been done, which takes decades, another layer is peeled away.\u00a0 They must know when and where to strike, so principles of combative spacing and timing must be mastered.\u00a0 Eventually, they will begin to question the ultimate purpose of striking within a technique, and they will train their intent.\u00a0 With enough intent, the physical strike might no longer be needed, as an opponent can be halted or redirected with kiai<\/em>, that vocal emanation of pure spirit and intent.\u00a0 Even at this point, although others will look at the practitioners as masters, if they have eliminated the ego and continue to keep beginners\u2019 minds, they will understand that there is no end.\u00a0 In this way, they will continue to improve without bounds.\u00a0 It is for this reason that O-Sensei said, \u201cNever think of yourself as an all-knowing, perfected master.\u00a0 You must continue to train daily with your friends and students and progress together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n