Basic Movements Close to Technique

If in Chapter 2 you learned foundations such as stance and ukemi (受け身), it is now time to learn the basic movements that lead straight into actual techniques. Aikido training falls into two broad kinds: tandoku dosa (単独動作), exercises done alone, and sotai dosa (相対動作), exercises done in pairs.

In solo exercises you practice basics such as footwork, grabbing, and striking by yourself. Unless you learn these thoroughly, you cannot move on to partner exercises. The most important of them is footwork. The power used in aikido travels from the lower body to the upper body and then to the tegatana (手刀, hand sword). So if your lower body is not stable, proper power does not come out.

In partner exercises you practice the basic body movements together with a partner. These are movements closer to actual techniques: irimi, tenkan, and tenshin, as well as shiho-giri (四方斬り), uchi kaiten, and soto kaiten. Practicing with a partner, you learn with your body the flow of power and the timing as you go into a technique.