This week's Aiki-theme is 'Receiving is not exactly the point'. On the aikido learning path, we encounter a number of paradoxes and, for a clear understanding, we need to continuously define and redefine what we are doing in this art of harmonized movement. One such paradox is the concept of receiving. In fact if we are practicing to transform duality into oneness (non-duality) then it would not be right to stop at defining aikido as receiving power of the other person. Indeed this would result still in the duality of a giver and a receiver of power. And this is not really the point. Of course there is a necessity to not block. However rather than considering this two separate bodies giving and receiving, reconsider it as power being absorbed into the bodies of other persons, that power circulating continuously between the two. This then becomes aligned to a definition of unification and not that of one receiving from the other. So, yes, we receive, to take ukemi, to not block, to resolve conflicts peacefully, but overall the aim is to blend and, thereby, there is no separation. There is no uke and there is no tori. The two bodies are one entity moving as a united cell. It's a concept which is somewhat difficult to embody as a technique. So we have to start with imagining it and then concentrate on realizing it in the physical space. Wishing you much Aiki fun this week! 🙂

Eesti taasiseseisvumise puhul!
On the occasion of Estonian Restoration of Independence!

Tulge trenni!

Tulge trenni!