Basic elements for attestation

(Kanetsuka-sensei observations written by Peter Megann's)

Everyone who accepted ever participation in testing certification of British Federation Aikido, know, that performance is estimated on ten categories:

1. Correctness of technics,
2. Efficiency of technics,
3. Smoothness and flexibility,
4. The Kokyu-river,
5. A bearing,
6. Ukemi,
7. Ma-ai,
8. Dzanshin,
9. Spirit,
10. Style end
11. The attitude.

In recent discussion of testing certification Kanetsuka-sensei has paid attention to the following:

The most important category - Style and the Attitude. If you do not have corresponding style and the attitude, you cannot study. Practice of fighting arts begins with rei and comes to an end rei. And rei not simply means "bow". All your actions should be proniknuty spirit rei. Aikido should be present at your feelings, in your heart. It is necessary, that it was reflected and in your performance, in behaviour during examination. If your attitude is aggressive, it will show itself. rei means respect for your partner.

The basic question which it is necessary to set to itself: " Why we are engaged Ajki-up to? "

As to Correctness of technics, we wait from you for attention to details. For example, in Shomen-uchi - Ikkyo - how examined takes a hand uke. To, when and as it uses te-gatana ("hand-sword"). How it finishes technics that demands exact movements of hands. The form (kata) is the first, that you should itself represent distinctly.

Efficiency of technics - result correct the kokyu-ryoku, ma-ai and calculation of time; in application of force there is no necessity.

If you apply force, it means, that in the basis your technics as technics Aikido is inefficient. Also your control uke should be effective. But there is not an aggressive control. Perhaps, it will be better to express it so: you "conduct" the partner whether or not, whether you keep good contact during all technics. Especially it is important for the lowest degrees: they can carry out technics correctly in that, as to the basic moments, but, nevertheless, their technics actually can and not work. On testing certification we should have an opportunity to observe how trainees progress as a result of practice.

Concerning Smoothness and Flexibility last years lives Doshu has written somewhere, that if you think too much, you cannot be smooth. You Aikido should not remind movement of the robot. You need to be weakened and susceptible. If you are not flexible, it will be difficult to reach correct ma-ah. Business not only in how you are located is relative each other.

Ma-ai means all your body from one instant to the following. Smoothness also includes a good, natural rhythm of your movements. Technics should not be executed abruptly or hasty.

A good Bearing (shisei) - one of the most important for us the moments in testing certification. Though it does not mean, that you should keep, as a statue. At the same time it is necessary to be weakened. It is not necessary to look downwards, it is necessary to look directly forward: we name it me-tsuki.

It is taken into account and ma-ah, that there is no only a physical distance between you and the partner: it also correct calculation of time. To be in a correct position during the necessary moment. If you should think of it, you cannot reach it. That is why so infinite training is important. The correct sensation ma-ah, actually, is very difficult for developing.

In spite of the fact that Ukemi it is frequently translated as "insurance", on - japonski it means " to accept a body ". When we carry out the insurance, we fall on the ground in the correct way to avoid traumas. But ukemi means also to accept technics correctly in quality uke. To not be rigid and not giving in and, at the same time, to not be passive and soft; to keep the center and to manage to execute countermovement if the technics does not work. Uke it is not necessary to jump needlessly (leaving from attack) when it accepts technics nage; it should accept their center and to keep in touch.

Dzansin: concentration. You need to know not only about direct attacking, but also opportunities of other attack. Even when it seems, that action is finished, you should be in readiness in case attacking will return and will start to attack again. You should not be negligent; preservation dzansin means, that you respect the partner.

As to Spirit, here there is not "fighting spirit". You should not have an idea about causing a pain attacking. Obviously, it is better to transfer it as " positive spirit ". There should not be a feeling " leaving, flight, rescue ": meet the partner face to face. And, certainly, uke too should behave positively: not passively, not only following the partner.

Into the Kokyu-ryoku very difficultly to put words. Literally it is meant with " force of breath ", but we understand it more as something like " directing energy ". How to connect the center with a gravity and to allow energy a leak on this line and to leave through your hand when that rises in defensive movement for contact to the partner, it is born forward and again downwards in circular movement. How to keep feeling of expansion in your movements, as if a balloon or a revealed umbrella.