ATEMI-UKEMI / Online Workshop / FEB 2023

🔻𝗔𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗼 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

With Michael Ormerod – 3rd Dan Aikikai

The next Online Aikido Workshop of 2023 will explore the theme:

🔥 ATEMI-UKEMI: ‘Hitting Body / Receiving Body’

This Workshop is designed for those Aikidoka who would like to explore the area of Atemi and Ukemi in relationship to Aikido’s technical syllabus.

Focus points of the Workshop will include:

The crossover of Weapon-work to empty-hand striking.
The challenge of how to train solo, home alone.
Tools and techniques to develop effective and efficient striking skills.
Creative exploration of Ukemi skills in the mobilising, connecting, and strengthening of the body.
The relationship between receiving and exerting pressure.

First, it is important to define the terms…

🔺 ATEMI – “Hitting-body”

This is the use of various parts (or whole) of one’s body, to hit or (threaten) ‘vital’ areas of another body – naturally vulnerable parts. Those ‘Hitting parts’ could include, but are not limited to:

Fists
Fingers
Elbows
Feet
Knees

(Non-exhaustive list!)

The basic expression of power for functional Atemi:

Using the ground as the root of the movement, with the hip and torso as the distributor, and the periphery (hand/foot, etc.) to express the weight/pressure/power.

🔴 UKEMI – “Receiving-body”

“Fall seven times, stand up eight”

Ukemi – often referred to in shorthand for falling practices or the receiving of a training partner’s technique, is a much broader and deeper area of interest. Essentially it involves the absorbing of forces and pressure – allowing and distributing it through the body – not retaining the force of the impact, or letting it settle and stick. But letting it go.

The wave coming to shore is a useful visualisation. The rising, cresting, and ultimate crashing of the wave, and finally the pull of the water back to the ocean. Ukemi is to allow our structure to be distorted, not giving away our integrity or breaking, and to ultimately regain our balance. It is not simply being on the receiving end of the technique, but riding the waves of pressure, joining the motion, and surviving with grace.

Simply put, to fall and stand up again.

🟥 ATEMI AND ITS PURPOSE(S)

With the terms defined, the Aikido Online Workshop will explore further the purpose(s) and function of Atemi in the effective application and facilitation of Aikido techniques…

This could be broken down into three broad levels:

1. Atemi to Kill/maim

2. Atemi to distort the structure and create imbalance.

3. Atemi to create distractions or catch attention or misdirect.

The go-to option in Aikido practice tends to be level 3. However, the option to use effectively level 3, has to be grounded in the practitioner’s ability and knowledge of levels 1 and 2 (especially 1). The ethical choice to neutralise aggressive intent without harm, cannot be baseless. The threat must carry a real risk. A bark without a bite is not enough. And to live and ‘do no harm’ is not the same as to be harmless. We may be reminded of the various statements of Morihei Ueshiba that Atemi is 70% of Aikido (or in other accounts 90% or even 99%).

🔺 INTENTION IS EVERYTHING.

In Atemi: intention could be the difference between using our knowledge to destroy – and using it to restore balance and neutralise aggression. Fighting fire with fire creates more flames, and finally more ashes.

In Ukemi: intention could be the difference between trying to escape and avoid pressure – and being molded by, and working with, the same pressure. Bamboo cannot escape the wind, but it can bend, flex, and return to its natural undisturbed state.

Each and every time we encounter violence (either physical or psychological) the intention we respond to it with, draws a line deep within us…

“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.”

– Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

REGISTER

SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2023

10:00 – 10:45 1st Class
11:00 – 11:45 2nd Class
12:00 – 12:45 3rd Class
12:45 – 01:00 Q&A + Discussion Period

All times are Central European Time (CET)

REQUIREMENTS:

All the training will be designed especially for solo home training.

Keep your weapons (Bokken + Jo, Tanto) close by and ideally you will need a minimum of 2m x 2m with a high ceiling for the practice.

ONLINE CONTENT:

The training will be recorded LIVE and available for you to review after the Workshop. This can be accessed through the YouTube Channel at:

YouTube

INSTRUCTOR:

All classes will be led by Michael Ormerod, 3rd Dan Aikikai.

Michael Ormerod began his training in Aikido at the age of 15 in the UK. He has trained extensively throughout Europe and under taken an intensive training period in Japan under the guidance of Hiroki Nemoto Sensei (7th Dan) and training in the Founder’s Dojo and Hombu Dojo. In 2016 he began a full time apprenticeship under his teacher Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (6th Dan), training and teaching in the Takemusu Aikido Motril Dojo and attending international seminars as assistant. Michael has over 10 years of teaching experience, and in January 2018 he established Takemusu Aikido Orgiva, offering classes to children and adults. In 2019 Michael received the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) from the Aikikai in Japan, Tokyo. Early 2020 saw the creation of the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo, as a response to the Covid Pandemic – giving people the opportunity to continue their daily practice and the comfort of knowing that Aikido is just a click away under any circumstances.