Control

One of the greatest differences between and other is the need for a partner. This need arises from the difference in approach to dealing with an attacker. Most martial arts can be practiced upon inanimate objects. , , TKD, and other striking arts can be practiced upon a dummy, bag, post, or through the . And, while difficult, could be practiced by throwing around a dummy and Brazilian Jujitsu practiced by placing a dummy in submission holds. Practicing Aikido cannot be done this way because a large part of Aikido lies in the giving of control to the attacker. In Aikido, the attacker should not feel a loss of control over the situation all the way through a technique.

The practice of taking Ukemi is the practice of maintaining control over your own situation as Nage is throwing you or placing you in a pin. If Aikido is done correctly, Uke should be in control as he or she is being controlled by Nage in a reciprocal fashion. Uke should be able to take Ukemi without being hurt. It is partially up to Nage to ensure that Uke feels he or she is in control over their own body. In other martial arts, the objective is to gain complete control over Uke so that Nage can do their will without being stopped – complete power. Such power should not be used in Aikido.

You may actually have heard that the practice of Aikido is the practice of taking Ukemi. In other words, the practice of Aikido is the practice of maintaining control over yourself even under the most constraining circumstances. Nage should help Uke to practice by placing Uke in those constraining circumstances. Uke should extend his or her practice by attempting to retain control under more and more difficult situations and later and later into the technique until control is retained all the way through under any condition.

Why would you want to allow Uke to have control over themselves in Aikido? A technique in Aikido works because Uke wants to fall or be taken down. Nage’s objective is to convince Uke to take a specific position because that is the most comfortable. Uke should want to fall or should want to place himself/herself in the pin. Sometimes this position is achieved through pain compliance. Sometimes this position is achieved through leading.

If Nage forces Uke to lose all control while applying a technique, Uke will become unpredictable, thrash around uncontrollably, or run away in a fight-or-flight reaction. Nage will not be able to complete any technique since Uke will not follow. Loss of control engenders fear and fear engenders the fight-or-flight reaction. Nage will lose control over Uke.

Therefore, in Aikido, both Nage and Uke should retain control over themselves all the way through every technique. Nage should not be looking to make Uke lose. Uke must win for Nage to win. This is Aikido. ______