Stance solidity in Aikido vs. karate

[bushido_man96]

Here is the way I look at it; you will need to know how to do both. Use the Aikido classes and training to learn how to "move with" the attacker, as that is what Aikido seeks to do alot: utilize the attacker's energy.

However, the attacker won't always be giving you that energy, and sometimes you will have to make your own to accomplish what you want. That's where your Kempo training will help out.

A problem I still have a bit with Aikido is I either end up pushing them or pulling them along to make it work, generating more of the energy than they provide. Its taking time, but its coming along.

[Zen Kamikaze]

Of course you will move to execute a technique. Everything you do in every martial art has to do with body movements. Your body must adapt a specific kind of movement to make effective a technique. Try to move with your hara and you will get it as you move forward in your training if you stand in the right possition.

[sensei8]

Sensei8, I guess my question is: after throwing somebody in Aikido will you be standing in a different place than you were prior to the throw. Clearly there will be some movement, probably change what direction you were facing, but will you occupy a different piece of land? Does that make any more sense? I'm starting to confuse myself...

I'd say that it might depend on the type of throw that's executed. In that, even if it's the smallest amount of a positional change. You know, it's kind of like when you're standing there working at a table, for example, and while you're standing there, you adjust for either comfort and/or for leverage, still, you moved from your original position/stance.

[brickshooter]

Just started Aikido last week. My impression is that Aikidokas like to keep their center of gravity under them (controlled) at all times. This explains whey they look a bit "stiff" with a straight back even when they're running around.

I believe that they need to control their center of gravity so that they can maximize their body weight into every technique. But it's different from Karate. In Karate, we like to get "grounded."

In Aikido, they see attacks coming in a straight line. Their intent is to get out of the way, then redirect the attacker's momentum to create unbalance, so that they can apply their wrist/arm locks.

Therefore, even if Aikidokas like to control their center of gravity, they have more motion than the Karatekas.

Just my 2 cents for a guy with about 4 Aikido lessons.

[bushido_man96]

Its definitely a lot more circular and spherical motions than I've experienced in TKD, and even in Hapkido.

[bushido_man96]

Another difference I've noticed in stances in TKD and Aikido is that in TKD, you can be in one stance in a form or whatever, and do several moves before moving to another stance. In Aikido, when I apply a move, its in one stance or position, and then there is a change of stance or direction if another move is applied. In Aikido, you never stand still for very long.

[sperki]

Bushido_man, is that during kata or sparring (do you spar in aikido?) or all the time?

[bushido_man96]

We didn't "free spar" in Aikido, but did do some randori from time to time that was more spotaneous than some of the other work. There wasn't any kata work, either. We did our basic movments work, which were the movements that then were implemented into the techniques

[brickshooter]

Just finished another class tonight, which is my 3rd. Apparently, Aikidokas are constantly in motion in their effort to remove themselves from the line of attack.

We were introduced to Atemi (Aikido strikes) today. It's interesting. I just kept my opinion to myself since I understood that Atemi was intended to force the attacker to block, thereby exposing his limb for manipulation.

From a Karateka's point of view. Atemi by itself was not intended to incapacitate anyone. If any Akidoka tells you any difference, he is delusional.

However, Aikidokas really raised the level of sophistication regarding attacking a wrist or shoulder.

What people see in demos are very polite demos. In reality, I could see how fast it is to break someone's wrist or elbow while using Aikido.