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Shioda Gozo Sensei on Aikido
(as noted by Jacques Payet during his uchideshi period with
Shioda Sensei.)
“It is extremely important to develop strong hip and
legs through the training of the fundamental basics of Aikido
that can be achieved after long years of Shugyo or constant
ascetic training A powerful lower body is necessary to build
the body centerline and so understand the flow of energy and
strength.
Then, the fusion of the mind, heart and techniques working
together allows the manifestation of Kokyu ryoku or breath
power. In the same way that everyone has a different look
and appearance everybody has different body and strength.
Therefore we have to train and know ourselves to be able to
use 100% of our own power and at the same time be able to
see through our opponent and understand the flow of strength
or energy. Then, if we can keep a calm, detached and non-affected
mind, a peaceful endeavor when facing an opponent, we will
naturally understand his strength, connect and be one with
him.’
“When Performing an Aikido technique, if we want to
control an opponent using strength, we will, as a consequence
lose our proper state of mind. - Face your opponent and become
one with him - Always be humble while facing an opponent and
if you can always harmonize with an opponent, then the highest
Aikido technique comes into life: BEAUTY.
Advanced students must train to use any part of their body
to apply a technique in order to be able to express themselves
truly at any given time.
To become conceited and overconfident would result in a stop
of one’s progress and improvement, installing a wrong
state of mind – the teacher is the student, the student
is the teacher- if you always keep that in mind the true spirit
of humility will always be with you.
Aiki and life are the same, here stands an important concept
of Aikido through Shugyo-constant ascetic training.”
“If we cannot make a technique work from a static
position then it would be very difficult to make it work in
a real situation while in motion. When we perform a technique
where the partner stops his movement, the goal is not to force
one’s way where the partner is strong but rather look
for a weak point. In order to sense and find this weak point
it is necessary to remain calm, to keep a detached state of
mind and a pure heart. It is only when we have overcome the
feeling of win/loose that a technique can work whatever the
situation. In that purpose it is essential to maintain an
open mind allowing our feeling thoughts and emotion to flow
when we train to gain control over our mind. It is this ability
to keep our mind in motion, which prevents an opponent to
find an opening in one stance and allows us to perform a technique
successfully. This is a major element of the training of aikido,
we should not think before performing a technique, but rather
be able to think and perform at the same time.
What is really important is to free our heart and purify
yourself through Shugyo ascetic constant training according
to the basic rationale of Aikido”
The basic stance of Aikido is designed to keep the body in
alignment. A perfect body alignment creates a centerline in
the body and gives life to breath power-the vital power of
Aikido. Each student should devote his life to search for
his own individual Kamae or stance. To look for one’s
unique Kamae is an essential part of one’s Shugyo or
constant ascetic training. We must train diligently and strive
to understand fully the first basic element of Aikido: Kamae.
Aikido starts with the basic and ends with the Basic.
It is imperative to study the basic deeply because it will
allow us to come back to it whenever we find any difficulties
in our progress and give us the answers we need to go ahead.
Techniques not following the strict rationale of the basics
are not Aikido techniques. Such techniques create a mind full
of ego and we should strive in our daily life and training
to not stray from the basic and the Aiki way.
SHIODA GOZO 1915-1994 |