Читать книгу Aikido Weapons Techniques. The Wooden Sword, Stick, and Knife of Aikido онлайн

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Timing is more important than speed. Timing is that inexpressible magic of being in just the right place, at just the right time, to let just the right thing happen. If one gets to the point too soon or too late, the magic does not happen. The smooth, fluid execution of aikido technique is a result of the impeccable timing that blends attacker and defender into one fluid motion, much like notes in a melody blending to form a beautiful harmony. The extended distance of a weapon attack and the danger of miscalculation make timing extremely important in weapons training.

The center is different from the centerline. While the centerline contains the center, the center is but one point (perhaps the most important point) on the centerline. The center is very important in aikido. One must maintain one’s own center and move from it. One must also become the center of the technique and assist the attacker in losing his center of balance. The center is the imaginary, yet actual, center of the body. That point, halfway between top and bottom, left and right, front and back, is the center. It is located in the hip region slightly below navel level. Many assert that maintaining awareness in the center will make for a powerful and “centered” technique and life. In weapons training, the weapon extends in front of the center. As in empty-hand training, all aikido weapons techniques move from the center and allow awareness to settle there.