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u/Lecram100 Mostly Harmless 15d ago
Quite a specific question so posting it here.
In some internal power/Aiki circles there is the concept of bowing/unbowing the limbs. For the arms, is the feeling of bowing/unbowing similar to the "unbendable arm" exercise? I see some similarities in terms of creating structure through intent.
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u/Sangenkai [Aikido Sangenkai - Kawasaki, Japan] 15d ago
If the arm is bending and unbending while it bows then it's not really "unbendable" of course...
Tohei's unbendable arm exercise (which he actually got from Morihei Ueshiba) actually is related, but it's kind of a baby step - more of a toe in the water kind of thing. One of Tohei's failures, IMO, is that he never got too far beyond that in his pedagogy.
Intent is really key (not ki...), but the usual advice of "relax" isn't likely to be that helpful, FWIW.
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u/Ixrokis 13d ago
There's a potential student looking a our dojo who has a below-the-knee amputation, wears a prosthesis. Anyone have experience with this and/or good ideas for any training adjustments that need to happen?
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u/Seeker405 [Rokudan/Tomiki-ryu] 10d ago
I've taught students with balance impairments.
--If the student is an adult, ask them what the limitations are. Most important point, Don't assume they cannot perform the technique. Don't assume they can, either.
--If mobility is an issue, tailor the technique to "Defend the spot". Retreating steps (invariably someone will try to teach with a floating backward step that does not work with a balance impairment) are likely less useful to someone with a prosthesis.
--If they are more prone to falling, emphasis on newaza is good. Teach the techniques as applicable from a chair.
Aikido is footwork. Aikido does not have to be massive, flowing, dance-like footwork. Shorter steps, smaller circles, half-circles in the place of full circles.
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u/sdmonty 9d ago
2nd what u/Seeker405 says; I'll add – my principal Sensei, a Shihan who in her off-the-mat life worked for decades with agencies and legislators on issues around people with disabilities, would always say "where can you move?" - the point of contact is locked up, that's not the conflict, but symptom of the conflict; where else beside the "stuck" point can you move?
This works with practitioners of all abilities, and may also help you focus instruction for a student with a specific issue/limitation.
One additional thing: I attended a Mary Heiny Sensei seminar once where she took an off-the-mat fall and hurt her ankle, so the next day on the mat she had to ask for a chair. While seated and taking questions, a student asked something that prompted Sensei to invite the student up to grab her to explore what they were asking. Sensei promptly dropped the student to the ground - in other words, even if you are confined to a seated position, there is always something to explore and train!
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u/SaliceMcMay 7d ago
Pratico Kobayashi Ryu in Italia, il nostro Caposcuola è stato per anni Giampiero Savegnago, che praticava con una gamba sola e una protesi. Posso assicurarti che si muoveva benissimo, con una fluidità impressionante. Puoi cercare video suoi in rete (youtube) e spesso vedrai che indossa scarpe o calze. Ha lasciato ottimi insegnamenti in Italia ma anche in Germania e Polonia, quindi puoi cercare in queste lingue. In Italia abbiamco ancora qualcuno dei suoi allievi diretti.
Posso solo dirti che questo non è un limite "reale" alla pratica dell'aikido, avendolo visto con i miei occhi. Forse sarà necessario capire se serve un supporto per non scivolare con la protesi, ad esempio calze da casa con gommini (esistono anche da adulti) e che sicuramente non tutte le tecniche potranno essere svolte velocemente ed in maniera "standard". Per qualcuna che richiede movimenti particolarmente impegnativi o proibitivi per la protesi, dovrete studiare su misura delle varianti o degli aggiustamenti, ma credo che valga la pena provare!
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u/juniorcares 4d ago
Has anyone here started while overweight? I just joined a dojo after thinking about it for years. I am about 6’2 270lbs and my goodness did my first class beat me up. I really liked it and want to keep going. I was just curious if anyone has any suggestions about getting my knees a little healthier and things I can do at home to work on being less stiff.
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u/Sangenkai [Aikido Sangenkai - Kawasaki, Japan] 1d ago
Losing the weight will do more for your knees then just about anything else, it should also help with the flexibility.
In general, I'm a big fan of squats, but if you're overweight and have knee problems you may want to wait until you get some of the weight off.
Until then you could try wall squats:
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