Learning to be soft when intimidated is the key to progress. If the ego will not yield to the attackers physical aggression a conflict of the physical to co-exist takes place. This restricts the true concepts of Aikido to be realised.
After a life time study in martial arts you may come to the realization that fighting or not fighting, is really the same.
To train a life time acquiring skills of self-defence only to seek retribution in the destruction of others becomes a wasted journey; a path of self-destruction.
The study of being held strong reinforces & teaches Koichi Tohei’s 4 principles of Aikido. Relax completely (Physical) Keep one point (Spiritual) keep weight underside (Physical) Extend ki (Spiritual)
With shomen uchi ikkyo don’t meet at the top – the person may perceive this as you defending and change the attack.
Within the martial arts, while competition in the form of sport exists, the art of Budo, a way of love may never be truly understood.
It takes greater courage to lead by truth than to lead with fear and deception.
The ultimate goal of Aikido attained is seeing yourself and the world through eyes that are non-confrontational.
Martial arts should not be a platform for displaying the ego. Methods that do can lead one down a wrong path.
