8. Switching to Iwama style (1)

First it is not true that if you switch to Iwama style all your previous experiences of Aikikai style are of no use. For example, the relaxing without martial power, and concentrating on the center point below the navel, pouring out breath power (Ki power) from it, the circular movement and the entering into side line are all still useful in Iwama style.

However the process of training is reverse in Iwama style. You have to master Katai-keiko and the Weapons techniques first before proceeding to Ki-no-nagare. Therefore when you switch you should forget your Ki-no-nagare techniques for a while and start from Katai-keiko and the Weapons techniques. If this is done your Ki-no-nagare will also improve, matching the appropriate movement and become "genuine" Ki-no-nagare.

As I mentioned in the previous chapter, the features of Iwama style have three essential points. However for the beginners in Iwama style the following two practices should be their essential focus, one is Katai-keiko (Tsukami-keiko) and the other is the Weapon techniques (Ken and Jo) combined with the Body techniques. If you train seriously in these two areas and persevere, you will obtain an insight into Iwama style after at least a few months or a half a year. You should continue the training without question during this period. After three or five years I am sure you will find yourself much stronger and will be able to see the difference between what you are and what you were.

For your reference I would like to mention some points to be careful about in practicing Iwama style. Unfortunately there are those who practice Iwama style using incorrect methods and are Iwama style in name only.

First : Among skilled seniors who have practiced Iwama style over considerable period and acquired reasonable self-confidence, there may be somebody who integrates his/her personal practices and has not doubt of its usefulness. However we should realize that it is just a detour. Let us recognize that O-sensei's achievement evolved over more than eighty years. He was an unparalleled master and far and away much superior to the normal person.

In Iwama style the more we train, the more questions about our techniques we can resolve. We can acquire the feeling of mental freedom, naturally born hope and a stable heart. In this state we are apt to try practicing our own style due to our endless desire to be stronger.

However we should never forget that it is not until we learn O-sensei's techniques faithfully that we can reach a high level of skill. If we have even a little illusion that we opened our way by ourselves, we must deeply reflect on this and realize that they are O-sensei's splendid instructions and Saito sensei's phased teaching method that are the source of our proficiency. If we don't them we become overconfident and self-conceited.

At such a time, we should remember O-sensei's techniques and spirit again and again with modest mind. The achievements of O-sensei's ; His mastery of the essence of the Weapons techniques, the forms of each Body technique without any trifling mistake, the absolute strength with his infinite breath power, his realization of the ultimate concept of "Harmonization", are all constructed on his long and deep endeavor through more than eighty years. If we understand this, we cannot help kneeling with awe in front of his marvelous present of "Aikido" which he left us.

We should be satisfied whole-heartedly with the situation that we are in the same way like O-sensei's and approaching gradually the goal of the invincible and harmonious techniques. Therefore we should stick to O-sensei's techniques and spirit to the end and at that time our own way will be also opened without our noticing.

Second : It isn't the real Iwama style if its primary focus is not on the forms (Katachi) of every technique, both the Body and the Weapons techniques. This would indicate lack of understanding with regards to the rational processes that O-sensei had achieved and left us.

We must recognize that we can't acquire the appropriate forms by practicing only once or twice. We have to repeat the practice of the same techniques again and again, receive the advice of other persons modestly and encourage each other. Then we can eventually acquire the rational forms of each technique.

O-sensei said "If we mistake a technique even 1-bu(3.5mm) 1-rin(0.35mm) length, it doesn't become the real technique."

In order to do so it is necessary to receive the instruction or attend the seminars by Hitohira Saito sensei or the chief instructors in the respective local region at least once a year otherwise it is very difficult to acquire and keep the appropriate forms.

Farthermore Morihiro Saito sensei's "the Phased Teaching method" is exactly useful for this, so the instructors and the teachers of Iwama style should never forget this teaching method. ( Refer to Chapt. 2 ( Note 6 ) )

However sticking to forms too much must be also avoided to the degree that it interferes with the Aikidoka willingness to train or dampens their enthusiasm. After acquiring the correct basic forms of the techniques we have to practice pleasantly and willingly using our full breath power. By doing such practices for a long time we may have the possibility of finding by ourselves, by chance, a new form of technique. This leads to the way of Takemusu Aikido. I greatly hope that at the end of practice, the faces all trainees show an expression of satisfaction and fruitfulness.

Third : Iwama style people must not practice with martial power (physical strength). If they do so it is called a "powered Iwama style" and it is an incorrect style. I don't think it is O-sensei's Aikido that it is too wild to keep the practioners' safety or too rude to enjoy the practices themselves.

This style may have derived from the idea that might makes right and allows forceful practice with students only using physical strength against each other. This type of practice would definitely neglect the rationality of techniques that O-sensei spent twenty-four years in Iwama bringing to completion. Besides, if the incorrect form is used, this practice will result in repetition of power collisions and in severe pain or injury.

Even if it does not go so far, the forceful practices lead inevitably that they are apt to be rude and coarse each other and there become no pleasure in their practices. As a result, they never can continue them for a long time.

In Iwama style it is very necessary that teachers must instruct each student how to grab or strike with the correct method first and adjust their techniques to the skills of their partners. We must never instruct to cover the roughness of the forms with our martial power (physical strength).

It is natural that beginners are unable to relax and can't help using their martial power to a certain extent. They must still try to relax and use their breath power and in this way they will be able to accomplish the sharp and effective techniques using little martial power.

Fourth : Among black belts in Iwama style it is also necessary to practice not only Katai-keiko but also Ki-no-nagare. We are told O-sensei said, "From 3-dan you may practice Ki-no-nagare."

You can perform Ki-no-nagare only if you speed up your Katai-keiko. However it is necessary to practice especially the initial part of Ki-no-nagare technique that must be done with the respective correct forms. It is also necessary for Tori to practice always harmonizing Uke's free attack with no collusion on Uke's part.

Fifth : Finally, in the event that you have been exposed to the teachings of two or three styles' teachings, for instance Iwama style and another style, what should we do?　I am one of them and it was natural for me to perform techniques in the mixed style for some period. Especially the style that one learned during one's youth which is imprinted on one's body and often appears in one's new techniques.

As far as you continue such the mixed style practices, you will have difficulty in understanding the true essence of Iwama style Aikido because it is profound truely too much.

In that case of the Weapons techniques we should correct our mixed style to the correct or better Iwama style because the Weapons techniques are the historical basis of the Body techniques. Therefore people who make much of the Weapons techniques will be able to efficiently train in the real Iwama style. On the contrary people who make light of it or make much of only the Body techniques will have difficulty getting rid of their mixed style for a long time.

Well, if you get interested in Iwama style, please be careful of the items I mentioned above. You should also get acquainted with persons who are practicing the real Iwama style. This is very important.