Hannah Miller - Nidan Essay 12/17/2023

If I had to pick a theme for my Aikido journey thus far it would be “taking up space”. Take up space. Be loud. Extend. I have been challenged to grow in these areas over and over again during my time practicing aikido. It is something that I am still working on and, in fact, was reminded of just the other day! Lately though, I have also started to explore what it means to take up space without overusing physical strength.

While I have only just begun to pay attention to this, there are two techniques that I have been focusing on recently; a finishing bokken strike and morotedori kokyuho. Both of these simultaneously require strength, relaxation and extension.

There is a moment at the end of every kumitachi where the defender ultimately gains the upper hand and delivers a decisive blow to the attacker. I have been working on my execution of this final strike. In addition to landing the bokken closer to your partner’s wrist than usual, to show that you have “cut” it, this move also usually involves striking down with more force and a loud kiai for a strong finish. While extending outwards, it is also necessary to extend downwards (which is something that I struggle with). I suppose that this is the same skill that allows one to hit a tanren without their bokken bouncing back up.

Then, in addition to all of this, you must complete this powerful move while remaining relaxed. This seems to be a bit easier when striking air with a bokken or jo because you have the benefit of gravity, a heavy wooden weapon and no resistance. But during a partner practice, I find it more difficult to take the strength out of my forearms when pressing against my partner’s weapon.

In the same way, morotedori kokyuho also requires both extension and relaxation. Since beginning the aikido foundations course this past November, I have been focusing on this technique in particular. There are two points where I have noticed a pronounced need for relaxation with extension. The first is when, after being grabbed, the nage sinks down and turns to face in the same direction as the uke, raising their arms above their head. If an uke is holding firmly, it can be especially difficult to do so without relying on your own strength. Conversely, if an uke is holding lightly, it can be easy to overpower them without performing the technique properly.

In order to overcome this problem, I have been practicing relaxing, letting go of my strength and sinking down into the mat, in a similar manner to the course breathing exercises. The result is that my uke suddenly becomes much lighter and easier to move. However in doing so, I have found that I overcompensate and lose the extension in my arms. I must now learn how to drop in a relaxed manner while simultaneously remaining strong and continuing to extend. This is proving to be no small feat.

After accomplishing this first part of the technique, the nage must use relaxation and extension for a second time. They need to relax their arms and turn their hips to throw while also maintaining their extension for a strong finish. If your partner takes ukemi in an active way they will absorb your technique and sink down to receive it. There is then a need to extend through this resistance in order to continue the motion. However, extending and yet releasing the strength in my arms is something that I have found extremely challenging. If my uke is very strong it is especially hard to accomplish this without relying on my muscles.

As I continue on in Aikido I will keep exploring what it means to “take up space”. I will also persist in learning to balance my physical strength with remaining relaxed and maintaining my extension. Though I have only described my experience with two techniques in this essay, I am aware that virtually all of aikido relies on this skill. I am excited to begin paying attention to how it can be applied in other contexts!
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