Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba.  It is known as a grappling martial art, stressing various throwing, joint-locking, falling, rolling, and disarming techniques.  Like pretty much all Japanese martial arts, there is also a high level of philosophical and spiritual aspects within the art as well. Spirituality aside though, I really hope to discuss the real life benefit of Aikido in relation to Uechi Ryu Karate and how both of these practical martial arts systems work well together.

Karate used to have techniques similar to Aikido practiced all the time.  As Okinawan karate became more influenced by Japanese culture, these kinds of techniques were changed or removed from its core.  I have heard many different names for these old forms like Tuite, but Uechi Ryu in its entirety no longer practices these techniques in a formailized manner.  Systems like Goju Ryu still practice Tuite techniques.  In Uechi Ryu Karate-Do Kokusai Kyokai under Master Thompson, we ptracice Aikido as a way to go back to the roots of Okinawan karate, and learn techniques that would be lost to us otherwise.

Where is the Aikido in Uechi Ryu?
In Uechi Ryu, Aikido is all around us – in just about every technique that we do – and has applications on every circle block, cat stance, or wauke strike – plus on every sanchin step that we take in our kata.  Circle block to Ikkyo is something I have seen pictures of Goju Ryu masters such as Morio Higaonna demonstrating at the Budokan, and something I’ve seen at practically all Uechi Ryu seminars that I participated in.  The technique similar to Ikkyo traces it’s origin back to the Kung Fu systems in China – like Tiger.  And as we know, Five Ancestor Fist and all related systems such as Pangainoon, Uechi Ryu, and Goju Ryu contain Tiger Kung Fu in it’s lineage.  Kyoshi Allen Bennett, my father, met the great great grandson of Shuu Shiwa (forgive me if I do not know the exact amount of “greats” to use), quite a few years ago.  His great great grandson specializes in Tiger Kung Fu, and demonstrated many techniques on Kyoshi Bennett during their time together such as – Ikkyo from a circle block.

The beginning of Sanchin – double nukite strikes (spear hand) forward grab and pull upward to the guard position, or twist upward into the guard position depending on your background.  This is also an Aikido technique from a double arm or single arm grab.  The same kind of attack can be defended by a circle block among others.

The two handed movement into the low stance at the end of Seisan, right before the jump back, is also an Aikdo throw.  This throw is practiced in the Aikido warm up exercise sai0-undo.

The take down in Dan Kumite uses an Aikido technique similar to the cat stance in Seichin kata.  The twisting of the forearm with one hand in a circular motion, while rolling the shoulder with the other hand acting as the fulcrum is similar to a variety of joint and jo techniques practiced in Aikido.  Manipulating the leg joints for the take down is just as important and the arm joints for the take down if it comes down to that – because it is possible to do the take down effectively with just the arm or just the leg.

Relationship Between Aikido and Uechi Ryu
Many, if not all, Uechi Ryu students have a hard time separating hard from soft in karate.  They want to strike the person as hard as they can, or block as hard as they can.  Sometimes they act like robots, without any fluidity.  Student’s move back and forth like a two dimensional video game characters rather than using 3 dimensions, moving side to side or in circles.

Aikido brings the natural movement of the body into the spot light more than conventional karate practices can.  Students lose themselves in the opponent and react in the heat of the moment rather than as they would naturally, as if nothing were wrong – or as if anyone was trying to harm them.  Circle blocking is easy, it flows into the opponents attack to become one and the counter attack moves together with the block to create one solid movement.  This kind of philosophy is the essence of Aikido, but is also an intricate part of what karate teaches as well.

What Does Aikido Teach for You?
Aikido teaches a lot of practical real life applications to their techniques, which is probably why many law enforcement agencies end up learning Aikido or forms of it like Koga.  Aikido also teaches ways of falling and rolling which can help us on a daily basis while playing sports or slipping on rollerblades.  Aikido is also a non-violent way to defend yourself, in case you do not want to hurt your opponent or are required not to hurt individuals by your profession.

Our Aikido classes are currently Saturdays from 1 – 215pm, but will most likely change in January 2010 – so keep updated on the website for that information.