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.

The study of one’s posture within Aikido is as much spiritual as it is physical.

With shomen uchi ikkyo don’t meet at the top – the person may perceive this as you defending and change the attack.

When performing Nikkyo to the wrist, enter and then apply the pressure to the wrist, don’t apply pressure to the wrist first.