If you want to see my whole exchange with Oliver, watch it here: ua-cam.com/video/fpGQ5kYatDw/v-deo.html To learn more about Oliver Enkamp and his pro MMA career check out his social media here: www.oliverenkamp.com @oliverenkamp on Instagram and facebook.com/oliverenkampMMA for Facebook
Yes. There is nothing wrong with the solid Aikido principles. The problem is the squishy aikidokas that never trained anything else. Even Shoji Nishio encouraged new students to train in other martial arts and come back to Aikido.
I don't understand why Aikido is supposed to work in MMA? Did the founder proposed so? I also don't understand how MMA is the ultimate benchmark for self defense! Would you apply MMA in a dagger fight, or machete fight. I mean self defense is very open statement. Usually an assaulter wouldn't come to you without a weapon of some sort (could be a knife, or a gun). How you can apply MMA to that? I think the only self defense you can use MMA for is to defend against bullying! Any other attempt to defend yourself against an armed assault would'nt end well. In my opinion, MMA can be useful, but its not the solo benchmark to compare against all cases.
We honestly need more martial artist content creators like you. Extremely open minded and willing to explore every aspect objectively. I've known you since years ago but back then your content doesn't really interests me. But as time progress I was mistaken, your content is the perfect content for every martial artists willing to explore the wide world of martial arts. Much respect for you for providing us with knowledge like this.
This was _really_ useful! One of the most important lessons for any practitioner of _any_ martial art, is to have the curiosity, willingness and humility to be willing and able to *learn* from others. Great collaboration!
I absolutely appreciate your effort to understand martial arts that you even flew to stockholm just for one meeting, and then sharing it with the rest of us. You're not like the guys praising their own traditional martial arts saying it is too deadly for practical use, or other guys who belittles every traditional martial arts. You sir should be the very definition of a true martial artist.
I've been periodically checking up on you within the last few years, and I just wanted to say your progression is inspiring! I love how you accepted that aikido isn't traditionally practical in an mma match, but acknowledged that it still has its uses!
if i got to be honost, on the social media i see almost everywhere disrespect against Aikido. im done with it, even i cannot change it and i respect every other art and opinion, even how many times people will tell me it doesnt work, im not gonna quit it. its more then only the question if it works, you must have pleasure/fun at your group where you train with together. but i respect your opinion.
This is what I thought you would do originally when you were trying to make Aikido "effective". Learning and cross training in different Martial Arts to modify Aikido Techniques or fill in the gaps of Aikido but keeping the philosophy of combat of Aikido intact. Like how that former Aikidoka that transitioned to BJJ, for him he still practices Aikido because he keeps the Aikido mindset in BJJ.
When the opponent reaches the maximum extension of its punch or its kick, the aikidoka must be already grabbing the opponent limb, ready to perform the tecnique. Otherwise it won't work. This is why it hard to perform.
@@Lell19862010 if a martial art only works in response to a very specific situation (opponent's arm fully extended) and requires inhuman reactions/prediction to perform the technique in the situation, and doesn't have adequete ways to pressure/force the situation to arise, it is not really fit for purpose.
Glad to see this. My first exposure to Aikido was in a training session with mixed styles and I thought it was amazing. The techniques I learned were very helpful in improving my combat capability. I was surprised to find out awhile afterwards that everyone clowned on Aikido and I didn't understand why. Your journey helped me make sense of all of that. You see, my training partners main martial art wasn't Aikido, my main martial art wasn't Aikido, so I was exposed to it through a filter as a refinement tool rather than a complete martial art. This created a situation where I was only exposed to its benefits without facing the problems that it gets criticized for.
I always like to watch Oliver explaining stuff! He feels really direct to me, which is something I really appreciate in a teacher! Nice collaboration video, I really enjoyed all the one you did with the Enkamp Brothers!
This is fitting given how O'Sensei integrated multiple styles into Aikido, even over time. It reminds us that martial arts, like languages, can adapt and grow with time and exposure to other styles and people.
One of my favourite of your videos. Though I'm not an Aikido guy, I had a similar experience leaving tai chi for a few years and exploring other martial arts, then coming back with a completely fresh head and different set of reference experiences. Looking forward to seeing where this goes next!
Tai chi, like aikido, was often taught to people who already had experience and training in other arts. It's a principles based style and not a catalogue of techniques. I started out in boxing and kickboxing before studying internal arts like Xing Yi Quan and Taiji Quan. Essentially the order of development moves through 5 levels to introduce and develop key principles: fixed step tui shou to learn how to maintain dominant stance and grounding, then throw a spanner in the works with one step tui shou to do it on the move, then introduce wrestling as taiji Shuai, then add the striking as taiji Sanshou, and finally bring in the ChinNa techniques for the complete Taiji Quan Fa. You have to build up through the levels over time, unfortunately many just stop at TuiShou (level 1) or dont connect the various practices through ordered development and try jump to level 5 Quan Fa methods with bad self defence interpretations of the Taolu training (which isnt the purpose of the Taolu)
Aikido is mainly a spiritual practice created from a martial art Jujutsu/Aiki-Jujutsu. Aiki-Jujutsu is like a bridge of flowing with your attacker yet also using more strikes to set up the throws and locks.
It could be like chin-na in Chinese martial arts - it was often an advanced add-on to the striking and wrestling type skills that people would learn first.
It’s a martial art for practitioners of other martial arts. O’Sensei practised various forms of ju Jutsu and various weapon arts before synthesising Aikido. I started off practising non traditional jujitsu, trained in various Chinese martial arts, boxing and karate prior to proacticing Aikido. But with an emphasis on combat effectiveness.
Bro i think aikido only work for samurai. i mean : u can only take wrist control if the arm is not moving. this is exactly what happen when you r closing distance in HEMA or KENDO. and the fact they are using sword they will held to that sword dearly. this allow the samurai who practice aikido, Control the wrist and move it around. getting punch in sword fight is good exchange for disarming your opposition. maybe he must experiment aikido to a kendo or Hema artist. my english is awesome
When you get back to principles they all make perfect sense, it's just the training method that became dead forms. Being able to test stuff, experiment and innovate is absolutely important for any martial arts.
I remember when I started my cross training it was in boxing where I found the most similarities with Aikido. Good to see you are finding those connections, keep up the work.
You know, Rokas… You could be the star that brings aikido back to the game, and for that I think you should go for the Japanese jujutsu, the father of aikijujutsu, and therefore, of aikido. Then you would find the original way of fighting, with sparring, ground techniques and some striking. I like you searching for answers in karate and MMA, I think you're in the right path. I really wish we could talk about aikido in a serious way 20 years from now, after you. I really want to say "Rokas' aikido is no Muay Thai or BJJ, but it's a hell of a martial art" in the future
Trying to bring koryu jujutsu into the cage wouldn't make much sense because the context is very different. Modern combat sport nowdays are already the evolution of modern humans since they are designed to fight each other with barehand, while koryu arts were used just in case you lost your weapons and the other guy is trying to hack you to pieces with a sword or turn you into cheese with a spear. Alot of things wouldn't make sense or straight up useless if you trying to shove it into the cage, you basically reinvented the wheel and the so called "modifications" will just become modern wrestling, Judo, BJJ...
@@jaketheasianguy3307 I get what your saying, but Rokas doesn't talk only about MMA, he also talks about self defense, in which I think aikido could be even more useful. Think about the other sides of fighting, not only MMA
I really love to follow your journey (I practiced Aikido for 15 years), I admire your honesty; Great to see that the main principles of Aikido apply to all/many martial arts.
This was good content. Walking through the principles in a different context than what is usually taught in Aikido. You sir are a gentleman and a scholar.
This is my favourite Martial Arts Journey video. I love discussing practical uses of different martial arts with other practitioners. This took it up a notch getting to learn from a professional MMA fighter and aikido practitioners which are rare in my social circle. Keep up the great work!
This is something that I learned time ago. Training and studying other martial arts helps a lot in understanding and improving the own martial art. Excellent video.
WHOA! Seeing u in the Aikido is definitely very strange looking now! Especially without the long hair! Everything looks different. Its not easy to explain...but the way u move, your physical mannerisms, and how u carry your posture...everything just looks so different! You move with a confidence that u didn't move with several years ago when I first started watching. U are still humble, but I can absolutely 100% see the change in u, how confident u are now, and how much u have grown since starting this journey. Its f××king awesome! Thanks for sharing this incredible transformation with us all over the last few years !
The methods of training in Aikido are not realistic but the principles behind it are. Aikido is more of a finishing school for an experienced martial artists to refine themselves rather than a starting point. Great video as always.
@@RicardoSantos1784 It just makes sense. After going through rigorous training in modern martial arts that are intended to harm one can explore more subtle and refined techniques with Aikido and find some grace, should they want to.
Yes. The principles all work but are hard to pull off against an equally skilled opponent. And theres no fight exposure. It's assumed you already know how to fight.
I totally agree on this been in boxing and tkd i always aggressive i always look for fight to test my skills but when i was learning aikido our sensei teach us similar to combat aikido with soft and hard techniques while your attacker must attack you fast and strong but with control if ever you didnt manage to execute ur techniques, my point is i never more calm when learning aikido and never been happy when i saved someone by teaching him and he managed to neutralize two strangers and other has a knife. So i conclude regardless what your art is if your really good to use every technque in real world your that good if you sux and didnt believe to yourself just avoid to fight, theres no harm avoiding it your life is important.
Man you are super legit. I watched your first pressure testing video and found this one recently. I think what youre doing is smart, because the best way to have people take Aikido seriously is to take a few effective Aikido moves that can be used under the right circumstances while mixing them with striking and judo.
I'm definitely seeing a very strong Kruger-Dunning effect going on here with your reconnection with Aikido concepts, and I'm very glad you are using your experiences and making constructive exchanges with other folks like Oliver! I feel that, like the sciences, we need to have robust dialogue about martial arts; what's working, how to maximize its effectiveness, mitigate ineffectiveness, blend concepts when it shows good/solid results, etc. And having watched several other videos you have published, I believe that you are doing a great service those of us who are practitioners of martial arts. Good on ya Rokas, and good on Oliver! Keep it up, I reckon this is gonna be a very meaningful process for us all in the end.
The dunning kruger effect is the most dangerous elephant in the room of self defense that is least talked about. I have practiced martial arts as a hobby for some years and I know two things: 1) there are a lot of moves I know how to defend against 2) there are even more moves (and dirty tricks, real self defense happens in a space without rules!) that I have never seen before, let alone know how to defend against. Each of them could lead to my demise. When I went to school I was permanently bullied, punched in the face and stuff by random dudes I never met before. I wanted to enter the domain of martial arts in hope of being able to defend myself. In my first lesson, sensei asked me why I was there and I told him. He rather quickly figured out what my problem was: My body language was a screaming invitation to pick on me. Then he told me the secret of successful self defense: Just do not be the most inviting person to pick a fight with! This is the best protection you can have! Doing martial arts totally changes the body language. Mine changed drastically and my trouble went away, not instantly, but gradually. I wish this most important information was taught in more martial arts classes. And I hope that I will never have to use my martial arts skills in a real life situation, because this will get ugly either way. If I loose: no need to elaborate. If I win: lawsuit. Why? Bullies are always flocking togehter and they will definitely agree that I was the one who started it.
@@fluffylittlebear Before I started with martial arts, I always walked around leaning forward with my head hanging down a little. Where ever I was, I looked like I did not want to be there. When someone invaded my personal space, I surrendered and fell back. When someone took something I valued, I consented by being submissive. When someone hurt me, I did not even tell him I do not like it. I just fell back. Now for the change: I stand straight, feet apart, a little like the basic stances showed in the video. I look a challenger straight in the eye and thereby, without saying a word, tell him: This is the place where I stand and claiming it for yourself means hard work for you. Do you really want to work hard, or just take the vacant place next to me without any trouble whatsoever? When I walk, I walk straight, head up and in firm steps, saying without a word: I know where I am going and don't you dare stop me. I am confident of myself and I am confident of my abilities. This scares away the vast majority of bullies, because they are looking for easy targets, rather than hard work. Some of them, who are looking for challenges, must be defeated otherwise. I usually get to own them with a single, stupid intro line like "Did I challenge you, or do you want to feel challenged by me?" Instant DOS attack, brain AFK, precious time is won to think about a good strategy to handle the situation. We all carry a subconcious thread assessment center in our brains that only few of us are really aware of, even fewer can control in some way. Ever looked at someone and thougt "wow, dont mess with this guy"? This is an evolutionary survival strategy. It is still deep within us and can be triggered with a few, simple tricks that served me well to this day.
@@rareastatine85rareastatine97 All true. The problem is with real fucking lunatics that don't care about their own safety. People that cannot be intimidated.
I studied Aikido in the mid 90s. It was a good work-out. I was in the East Osaka group. My teacher really enjoyed teaching 5 or 6 days a week. I got in trouble by challenging my Sensei and paid for it every class after that. Fighting is a dangerous dance and Aikido teaches you both sides. You will learn how to give pain and take pain, how to move and be moved, how to strike and block, all without getting too hurt. I’ve never had to go against a MMA fighter but I have used it to catch and detain people fighting.
I feel fortunate that the aikido sensei's I have trained with cross-trained themselves (BJJ, Filipino martial arts, striking arts) and they've always explained how its the PRINCIPLES of aikido that are meant to be applied, not the specific TECHNIQUE. Still, it was nice of you to lay it all out in one concise video format, and I hope this journey was rewarding. I'm sure if you do re-open your dojo, you will be like my sensei's and your students will appreciate it :)
I was just at aikido yesterday and my teacher was teaching me wrist releases and said I’m never gonna be in a situation like that but the movements and principles are what matters he’s also my judo instructor and learning aikido has only helped elevate my judo even tho I’m just a beginner
Can't thank you enough about this video, what a class, learned so much important principles, and a lot of similar ones to Wing Chun. I certainly gonna apply them in my Wing Chun classes with my students. This is the martial way, evolving and growing you art. Sorry my poor English, regards from Brazil mate.
Thank you for making this video man; It's been amazing. Good martial artists always talk about principles and not techniques, and this shows how they are right.
This is great to see how aikido is actually functional and it works when mixed with something else. Oliver gives great lessons in this, showing how traditional arts can be applied in modern ways
Fascinating approach to integrating Aikido. I studied hard styles for a few yr before learning Aikido and never thought of blending them together like you did.
@@MartialArtsJourney Wouldn't that be a negative of Aikido though? The fact that it has similar MMA movements but it's not effective in teaching them for use in real life.
This is a good coach; he listens, he gives constructive criticism and works with the level of skills you got and make whatever skills you have in the MMA ring. You are lucky because you have the skills and now a coach make your skills work. But kudos to you for sharing-thank you.
I am thrilled to see this in-depth discussion and checking. It gave me a whole new perspective of how to use these aikido principles in real fight and how valuable they could be. Thanks for sharing.
Great Video. I really enjoy learning from you and I find a lot of things that I can apply in my background of Sport fencing and HEMA. Though it is weapons based, all the ideas of pressure, distance and angle control are extremely important.
Aikido came from sword fighting. Rokas should have studied swords arts to understand aikido. I've never been in any "dojo", but just looking at aikido, I know it came from sword fighting.
Thank you for this. I practiced Aikido 30 years ago but didn’t get very far. None of the students were experienced fighters and I was as never truly convinced it would work based on sparring with other students who barely knew how to throw a punch. But at the same time, watching “aikido is garbage” videos never convinced me it sucked either. The whole “avoiding the opponent’s energy and redirecting it” seemed very sound. Even fighters grounded in other disciplines follow it to a degree with “you win every fight you don’t fight.” (Granted an experienced MAA, boxer, or kick boxer etc. would DESTROY a novice tough guy so an avoided fight = immunity from criminal prosecution/lawsuits. So why wouldn’t they?) I think your interpretation that Aikido should be the next level training for martial artists already experienced in RW fighting holds water. In my case I’m not used to physical confrontation (which hampered my progress) is a real obstacle. The fear response that makes me and others feel so short of breath in a real confrontation is a serious obstacle to doing aikido maneuvers properly. An experienced fighter wouldn’t have that disadvantage. They already know how to take a punch to the face.
The best way to take a punch to the face is to not take a punch to the face. (I come from a competitive striking background but I know wrestling, judo and jujitsu as well).
The fact that the principles all apply (as they have equivalents or can be translated in to both other martial arts as well as combat systems) is a testament that the core of Aikido is actually pretty good. It shouldn´t be taken as an insult to just claim that if you want techniques to work against a live oponent you just have to try them against a live oponent again and again... as all things in life. This is very good work you are doing Rokas, I always enjoy your content :). I think that I can specially enjoy your jorney because I trained many systems and I also started with aikido (though it was Tomiki in my case), but you are doing so in a much more professional and well-thought way.
Amazing video, one of my new favorites. It's interesting that the foundational principles are sound but how it taught gets farther removed from the original context over time.
Indeed...and another thing I have learned about aikido from his journey vids is that the more familiar you are with foundational ideas in other martial arts with striking and grappling the more likely you can practically apply what you can learn from aikido. Which makes sense to me from what I know about aikido...to my understanding the founder knew other martial arts well and also when he first developed aikido he only took students that had also become proficient in other martial arts. I think aikido has great potential as a supplemental study for when you have become experienced enough with fighting to actually begin to apply aikido.
This is great! Thank you so much for sharing Rokas. This is definitely a Bruce Lee/Jeet Kune Do moment in the making. 😊 I’m excited to see how you spar with these new insights. I’m also glad there are practical applications - I had a feeling there were some considering Aikido’s early history was more attack heavy and the techniques most of us have learned tend to be the later more meditative style. It also proves that training in multiple disciplines is good and necessary - we all have our unique styles of fighting even if we do dedicate to one art and it’s important to learn from other arts to see where we can improve. (For me it was TKD, Karate, and Penchak Silat.)
I'm impressed by your willingness to question yourself, learn, and not hold fast to your ideas as you get new information. Your conclusions were also my conclusions, though you took a much more rigorous path. It's great and educational for me to see this explored in some depth.
Rokas is just barely starting to understand basic techniques. People like him is what has hurt Aikido, trying to teach to others not having understanding of what your teaching.
@@user-th9ek3jl7b Anyone can open a dojo . Rank gets awarded to people all the time different schools different standards. We see the McDos all over the place. When in the USA, trying to see if his trainers could use Aikido techniques he stood with grinning and nodding offer no corrections to them on proper use of the techniques. Either intentionally wanting it to fail or not knowing himself. I say he didn't know. Watching him much of techniques are flawed. He himself admits to basic techniques he fails at. The fact that he picks a technique and trying to use it in competition shows his lack of knowledge. Aikido is about using what works with certain energy from an attacker not forcing a chosen technique. This is why in basic training a certain attack is given, so the proper energy is ther to study a certain response. He doesn't ever discuss the energy stuff. The traditional Japanese ranking system was divided into 3 levels. SHODAN which was Shodan,nidan, sandan.. Middle level was.Chuden encompassing yonder, godan , rokudan. Mastery would begin from 7th,Narayan to 9th. Still in the organizations I'm familiar with 7th is considered the level of starting training in mastery.the 4th 5th 6th are body and energy. 1st 2nd 3rd are about physical and basic movement and techniques. Which Rokas fails at. Even a good 3rd dan practioner isn't a master. Rokas definitely isn't a master not being able to apply or explain basics. I know 1st degree shodans and even a few kyu ranks with better understanding. I recommend books as a start by William Gleason and Mitsugi Saotome, real masters. There are others.
@@michealpuckett8856 Thank you for your lesson in the Dan system but i hold a Nidan in Aikido as well. That being said i can't still see your point. Rokas Aikido techniques are at a good standard in his old videos. If you want to compare it with masters like Christian Tissier of course he can't reach that level. But you must not have beat Royler Gracie to teach a good BJJ either. In his recent videos of course he lacks the fine techniques because most Aikido principles Just don't work in an MMA setting. I was a bouncer during my time at university and applied some techniques like Sankyo on drunk people what acutally worked good for me. But in a Fight i would always use my MMA experience.
@@user-th9ek3jl7b First congratulations on using your Aikido in real world situations, thats better than Rokas has done .His early videos had some descent kata , dance stuff , movement but also many flaws in position and body movements. You call him a master when he has trouble with basic techniques. No you don't have to be Tisser or defeated a champion to be a good teacher. You do need to understand basic techniques. Even a good 3rd degree isn't a master at their art. My point was given in the previous post his techniques, like iriminage, ikkyo and lacking position and principles . I sited his lack of correctly showing or correcting moves his Portland BJJ trains were experimenting with. Many Aikidoa he has had on has pointed out his flawed techniques; Chris Heins, Dan Theodore (the Wolfman),Lenny Sly , Remey , Roy Dean. He has commented on his techniques.These people are very good Aikidoa, understanding what they are doing and improving, but they are not masters of Aikido nor am I.To his credit I don't think I ever saw where he said he was a master. You say his knower videos should be expected to not be as good? He has been training there should be improvement. If his Aikido was so good it should be lost so easy. You say you don't carry Aikido principle into MMA.. uh that was the point of the video.. The sad point once again is Aikido is often poorly taught by people who don't truly understand what they are doing. It produces Rokas that produces others wearing the art.. Hope you have good instructors, its good to try other groups.
Aikido has been diverted from its real purpose in my opinion. I think it's a martial art designed to be implemented to saber fight. All the grabbing, using opponent kinetic movement, falls and so on seems to mimic saber fights. For exemple nobody will try to hold your wrist unless they want to prevent you from using what you hold. Thats a martial art for samurais on the battlefield
This is awesome! As someone whose basis is in Muay Thai, GJJ, wrestling - I've always wanted train other traditional arts, especially Aikido, and it'd be awesome to learn from someone who is doing the work to modernize and apply it! Amazing work! Nothing but respect for the honesty and the effort.
This was so familiar. 20+ years ago I took lessons under a Sensei named Hamilton. He had black belt in multiple arts, including Aikido, and trained some early MMA fighters. He took the best techniques of all he knew and combined them into an effective fighting style. Watching this very much reminded me of what he used to teach. Great Sensei, wish I had studied more under him
It’s a shame you don’t do another MMA vs Aikido spar/fight video, where your the MMA practitioner vs a different Aikido practitioner to see if it was either the student or the Dojo/gym. Like your last MMA vs Aikido video.
@@MartialArtsJourney still waiting for you to collab with chadi. exploring other grappling arts, especially one that focus on a lot of "stand up" should give you more insight on aikido and how to "make it effective". also explore kudo! you might find their transitions from striking to grappling interesting.
What do you think of @ChuShinTani's idea of Aikido as a weapons platform? His summary of Aikido is essentially that if you're taking on multiple attackers, as many of the drills are about, you're not going to do it unarmed: you'll do it with a sword, or a knife, or a spear, or a staff. Seen in this way, Aikido becomes about evading the opponents while you cut or bash them with your weapon, like a Samurai in the old Kurasawa movies.
@@MartialArtsJourney If you come out to the west coast of the U.S. you may want to considered doing a bit of a tour. Some ideas for you: 1. Chris Hein in Fresno (listed just to be complete, since you're planning on this, already). 2. Deena Drake (successor to the late T.K. Chiba shihan) at San Diego Aikikai (home to not-gentle aikido; a fair number of thier members cross train in other arts). 3. Josh Gold at Ikazuchi Dojo (new home to Aikido Journal, cross-training friendly there) in Los Angeles. Outside of southern California and more spread out from one another: 4. Patricia Hendricks (top student of the late Saito shihan and excellent aikido technician) at Aikido of San Leandro (San Francisco Bay Area), this would be a good stop to work on getting your sloppiness corrected, or even just a fun personality to interview even if you don't do a training stop. 5. Roy Dean (famous BJJ/Aikido cross-trainer) in Bend, Oregon. Note that Bend is a mid-sized town otherwise in the middle of nowhere. If you go there, reserve an extra half-day to go see Crater Lake. 6. Bruce Bookman (famous Aikido practitioner and cross trainer) at Tenzan Aikido in Seattle. They teach both Aikido and BJJ there, and he has created some good material (marketed "Aikido Extensions") to help bridge the same gap that you're look into.
Man... I admire you Rokas! I can follow all the insights and they make sense! From the video, I think we're safe to conclude that the thing behind Aikido's "ineffectiveness" is it's training methodology in regards of how to face resistance, thus learning to adapt to the dynamic of a real conflict. With that, the following questions arise in my mind: 1. Is this kind of methodology intentional? 2. If not, what happened in the transmission of the art? and 3. If it is intentional, why is it so? What is the real purpose of the art, then? I'm really enjoying your new dive into Aikido! Tks for that! I think I need this to have a positive "closure" in regards to my own Aikido history and set my next steps. I'm about to get back to training, finally!
That's awesome Wagner. I feel finding a positive and constructive way to relate to Aikido is helping me finding closure as well. Ps: Great questions too.
Aikido is classified like Iaido and Kyudo in that it's primarily a means of self discipline. More practical forms already pre exists each of these arts Daito Ryu, Iaijutsu, Battojutsu, Archery, Kyujutsu.
@@kevionrogers2605 Makes perfect sense to me. Yet, that is not what is claimed by the practitioners and masters in my experience. They do say it is effective and good for self defense.
@@wagutoxD Well it's just like the other Do arts could you use it to defend yourself yes, but is that it's primary concern no. I started Judo in 1989. The Judo I learned had Aikido built into it by including Tomiki curriculum through Judo Taiso, Taisabaki, 17 Kata, Kodokan Goshin no jutsu, and San Kata. They also had Goju Ryu, Kobudo, Kendo, FMA, so I was exposed to these arts too though not my primary. I started Gracie jujitsu in 1992 they had Kyokushin and Kickboxing. It wasn't until 2010 that I joined an Aikikai Aikido Dojo under the United States Aikido Federation in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Judo presentation of Aikido through the Tomiki system is as a Hinari Judo (separating supple/gentle way) as a method of Kogi and Goshin (sport and self defense). While the Aikilkai presentation of it at least in New Orleans is that its a mindfulness practice of moving meditation where one harmonizes at an instant with a threat as kata (formalized movements) such as slashes, thrusts, and grasp. The fact that we learned Shinto misogi as an integrated praxis is evident enough that its primary concern is do (way of life) not jitsu (craft, skill set). Judo, Kendo, Jukendo, Tankendo, Naginatado in a traditional dojo also has these elements too, but the sport aspect obscures this.
When you get a chance read an article entitled "On Modern Jujutsu by Kenji Tomiki" Another rendering of the translation is entitled "On Jujutsu and its Modernization"
@@MartialArtsJourney Pick up the DVD set of Highlander: the TV series. Go into HEMA. You don't need MANY years. Pick up a sword and you will quickly understand Aikido. Aikido came from swords. There's an name for that process, of learning things quickly instead of many years. It's called "The Quickening!". Don't you learn anything from watching TV?
That was great! By the way, I saw in your post about going to Paris that someone encouraged you to contact Leo Tamaki, and I'm curious if you managed to do it? His knowledge of Aikido, be it the martial art or the history behind it, is almost peerless, and I'm sure you'd enjoy the exchange :)
@@MartialArtsJourney Ah, that's too bad. I'd love to show you a video he made with a french martial arts publication, but it has no subtitles and I don't think you speak french haha. Thing is, he goes in length about Aikido and its history, and I've learned so many things thanks to that. I'm pretty sure that if you manage to meet him, the result will be phenomenal ^_^
m.ua-cam.com/video/rXuT0nulQ8I/v-deo.html Better visit the family Mochizuki when you are in France. They have a long tradition in combining martial arts using the universal principals.
Finally Rokas is getting it, awesome video. This is the way to research, however you should learn about blending from wrestlers and you will understand more
I've made this conclusion long ago when I've watched your videos. Aikido is a set of advanced techniques only available to already highly skilled and experienced martial artists. That's why it doesn't work pretty much. You can't draw masterpiece without knowing how to draw a straight line.
@@nicksalvatore5717 I believe it was created earlier by kenjutsu matsers during or shortly after Edo period. Aiki-jutsu must be an older term than Judo. Jigoro Kano lived not so long ago after all.
1 year too late, but the French AIKIBUDO (Not just Daito Ryu). It corrects lots of shortcomings of Aikido, making it a little bit more 'fight ready' and has some modern pressure testing behind it as few countries implemented some of the techniques/ combos for their enforcement units/ police trainings.
Aikido is just not suitable for MMA. Aikido is most useful for security and bouncers where they don't want to use deadly force, they are not fighting against a professional and they have other tools if they need.
I strongly agree,watch detroit survival training and youll see how aikido if very effective in combat survival in reality.not in sports but it can be still implemented .
I had a sensei that explained the functionality of the techniques, and it made so much more sense than just throwing a punch or a kick. That is missing in a lot of martial arts instructors. This guy really made sense of all the techniques you know, and why and how it works. That is a great teacher and practitioner of martial arts.
NOT that easy to APPLY Aikido in MMA or street fight !! You are BETTER off learning boxing & some BJJ techniques!! Be honest about it. I am DONE being lies by Aikido Master.
Just found this channel, this video caught my eye by chance, sitting there to the right, but unrelated to what I was watching. Now I'm watching this. And I'mma binge your channel quite a lot, that much seems clear. So thank you! Cause this is awesome!
The principles of aikido overlap almost completely with those of ju-jitsu. The problem with aikido application has never been faulty principles, but training method. Most aiki practitioners skip to a nearly effortless style that doesn't have a practical approach to dealing with resistance. This combined with a compliant environment is the perfect breeding ground for ineffective technique. Whereas, as a BJJ blackbelt I can often make my techniques work with the effortless feel of aikido against white and blue belts, or perhaps, even catch similarly skilled opponents a couple times with their most practiced techniques/setups. Aikido captures the "magic" not only through developing their own timing and deception, but by imposing on their opponsent - requiring telegraphic, pre-arranged sequences without rapid adjustment or INTENT to win.
Wow man, I really love your content. Not only does it show your intresting journey, but also how you reflect on the flaws of aikido while looking for improvements and trying to understand how those flaws came to be. I have just watched a lot of your videos about practicaly aikido and I kept thinking the same thing. If the principles are good, and the masters can theoretically do amazing things, maybe the problem is in how its taught. I loved the conclusion you made and I admire the journey you are taking part in.
Great video. What would be a great follow up is let mma practioner deal with knife attacks and multiple attackers. Honestly, as a life long student I find Aikido working best in multiple and weapon attacks.
Great video Rokas. And to add to your last sentence about Aikido founder only accepting experienced martial artists. He himself also was very experienced not only in multiple old japanese martial arts (Koryu) but also a seasoned military who actually participated in War and even founded colonies.
this is one of the best martial arts videos I´ve ever seen, because you describe, analyse and synthesize, very important movements, for atacking and defending and from diferent martial arts points of views, a real master class, straight to the point. Subscribed.
It is truly awesome to see that his journey brought him back full circle to tackle the challenge of making his art applicable in pressure. When he talked about long guard, I remembered George Foreman. This channel should have a coleb with the modern martial artist
What a treat to watch... I like how Oliver explains and demonstrate the concepts. This UA-camr collab is one of the best I have seen. 👏👏👏 Make some more interesting and funny contents. 👊😎
Sensei I've always respected your honesty and open mindedness, and willingness to learn from mistakes instead of excusing them. Very informative and insightful.
If you want to see my whole exchange with Oliver, watch it here: ua-cam.com/video/fpGQ5kYatDw/v-deo.html
To learn more about Oliver Enkamp and his pro MMA career check out his social media here: www.oliverenkamp.com
@oliverenkamp on Instagram and facebook.com/oliverenkampMMA for Facebook
Haha funny that's your bro
You're getting warmer
Yes. There is nothing wrong with the solid Aikido principles. The problem is the squishy aikidokas that never trained anything else. Even Shoji Nishio encouraged new students to train in other martial arts and come back to Aikido.
I don't understand why Aikido is supposed to work in MMA? Did the founder proposed so? I also don't understand how MMA is the ultimate benchmark for self defense! Would you apply MMA in a dagger fight, or machete fight. I mean self defense is very open statement. Usually an assaulter wouldn't come to you without a weapon of some sort (could be a knife, or a gun). How you can apply MMA to that? I think the only self defense you can use MMA for is to defend against bullying! Any other attempt to defend yourself against an armed assault would'nt end well. In my opinion, MMA can be useful, but its not the solo benchmark to compare against all cases.
@@jimsteinPeerless I studied in a Ushiba family homu dojo and they very much encouraged cross-training.
Hey I know that guy!! 😎
Me too! He looks similar to this other great guy I know... They even have the same surname 😄
when your brother gets a 15 minute video and you only get a 9 minute video. I'm sorry Jesse-sensei don't bunkai me into oblivion.
I heard he is your ex roommate/housemate
He is your brother and he is very good MMA fighter.
I think you know both of them hehe
This is an awesome collab!
We honestly need more martial artist content creators like you. Extremely open minded and willing to explore every aspect objectively. I've known you since years ago but back then your content doesn't really interests me. But as time progress I was mistaken, your content is the perfect content for every martial artists willing to explore the wide world of martial arts. Much respect for you for providing us with knowledge like this.
Thank you
Then you will love Karate Bushido channel
This was _really_ useful! One of the most important lessons for any practitioner of _any_ martial art, is to have the curiosity, willingness and humility to be willing and able to *learn* from others. Great collaboration!
I absolutely appreciate your effort to understand martial arts that you even flew to stockholm just for one meeting, and then sharing it with the rest of us. You're not like the guys praising their own traditional martial arts saying it is too deadly for practical use, or other guys who belittles every traditional martial arts. You sir should be the very definition of a true martial artist.
@Truest Cato Maior4Evah TLDR
Morihei Ueshiba was a true martial artist and the best of all times. Peace, harmony, joy, friendship, love, humility, kindness... 🎉
Is he not?
I've been periodically checking up on you within the last few years, and I just wanted to say your progression is inspiring! I love how you accepted that aikido isn't traditionally practical in an mma match, but acknowledged that it still has its uses!
Thank you
On the next episode: Proof that MMA works in Aikido
Haha
Vids or it didn't happen 😁
We got that one a while ago
@@MartialArtsJourney give us some sparring video is much fun you know hehe
if i got to be honost, on the social media i see almost everywhere disrespect against Aikido. im done with it, even i cannot change it and i respect every other art and opinion, even how many times people will tell me it doesnt work, im not gonna quit it. its more then only the question if it works, you must have pleasure/fun at your group where you train with together. but i respect your opinion.
This is what I thought you would do originally when you were trying to make Aikido "effective". Learning and cross training in different Martial Arts to modify Aikido Techniques or fill in the gaps of Aikido but keeping the philosophy of combat of Aikido intact. Like how that former Aikidoka that transitioned to BJJ, for him he still practices Aikido because he keeps the Aikido mindset in BJJ.
Roy Dean? He's awesome and has a very good mindset on bridging principles between different arts.
There is no need to adapt Aikido. It is just very hard to master, especially when you are against expert and very quick fighters.
When the opponent reaches the maximum extension of its punch or its kick, the aikidoka must be already grabbing the opponent limb, ready to perform the tecnique. Otherwise it won't work. This is why it hard to perform.
@@Lell19862010 if a martial art only works in response to a very specific situation (opponent's arm fully extended) and requires inhuman reactions/prediction to perform the technique in the situation, and doesn't have adequete ways to pressure/force the situation to arise, it is not really fit for purpose.
@@charlierose7153 nonetheless, there are other aikido techniques that allow to respond, that don`t require that specific situation, but they`re hard
Glad to see this. My first exposure to Aikido was in a training session with mixed styles and I thought it was amazing. The techniques I learned were very helpful in improving my combat capability.
I was surprised to find out awhile afterwards that everyone clowned on Aikido and I didn't understand why. Your journey helped me make sense of all of that. You see, my training partners main martial art wasn't Aikido, my main martial art wasn't Aikido, so I was exposed to it through a filter as a refinement tool rather than a complete martial art. This created a situation where I was only exposed to its benefits without facing the problems that it gets criticized for.
I always like to watch Oliver explaining stuff! He feels really direct to me, which is something I really appreciate in a teacher!
Nice collaboration video, I really enjoyed all the one you did with the Enkamp Brothers!
This is fitting given how O'Sensei integrated multiple styles into Aikido, even over time. It reminds us that martial arts, like languages, can adapt and grow with time and exposure to other styles and people.
beautiful comment
Oliver has been super helpful in your Aikido rediscovering journey this time.
The whole exchange was amazing. It opened many doors for me
One of my favourite of your videos. Though I'm not an Aikido guy, I had a similar experience leaving tai chi for a few years and exploring other martial arts, then coming back with a completely fresh head and different set of reference experiences. Looking forward to seeing where this goes next!
Thanks! This will definitely continue to evolve
@@MartialArtsJourney ✊🏻
Tai chi, like aikido, was often taught to people who already had experience and training in other arts. It's a principles based style and not a catalogue of techniques. I started out in boxing and kickboxing before studying internal arts like Xing Yi Quan and Taiji Quan.
Essentially the order of development moves through 5 levels to introduce and develop key principles: fixed step tui shou to learn how to maintain dominant stance and grounding, then throw a spanner in the works with one step tui shou to do it on the move, then introduce wrestling as taiji Shuai, then add the striking as taiji Sanshou, and finally bring in the ChinNa techniques for the complete Taiji Quan Fa. You have to build up through the levels over time, unfortunately many just stop at TuiShou (level 1) or dont connect the various practices through ordered development and try jump to level 5 Quan Fa methods with bad self defence interpretations of the Taolu training (which isnt the purpose of the Taolu)
Very interesting! What changed for you coming back?
I've always believed that Aikido was created as a supplement to previously known arts, and watching this lends credence to the thought
Functionally, that's how it worked. Ueshiba's students were very often blackbelts (dan) practitioners in various arts, often judo.
Aikido is mainly a spiritual practice created from a martial art Jujutsu/Aiki-Jujutsu. Aiki-Jujutsu is like a bridge of flowing with your attacker yet also using more strikes to set up the throws and locks.
It could be like chin-na in Chinese martial arts - it was often an advanced add-on to the striking and wrestling type skills that people would learn first.
It’s a martial art for practitioners of other martial arts. O’Sensei practised various forms of ju Jutsu and various weapon arts before synthesising Aikido. I started off practising non traditional jujitsu, trained in various Chinese martial arts, boxing and karate prior to proacticing Aikido. But with an emphasis on combat effectiveness.
Bro i think aikido only work for samurai. i mean : u can only take wrist control if the arm is not moving. this is exactly what happen when you r closing distance in HEMA or KENDO. and the fact they are using sword they will held to that sword dearly. this allow the samurai who practice aikido, Control the wrist and move it around. getting punch in sword fight is good exchange for disarming your opposition. maybe he must experiment aikido to a kendo or Hema artist. my english is awesome
When you get back to principles they all make perfect sense, it's just the training method that became dead forms.
Being able to test stuff, experiment and innovate is absolutely important for any martial arts.
I remember when I started my cross training it was in boxing where I found the most similarities with Aikido. Good to see you are finding those connections, keep up the work.
Thanks Francisco! Looking forward to discover more 🙏
As a practitioner of both martial arts, this is one of the most informative videos I've ever seen. Great work!!
You know, Rokas…
You could be the star that brings aikido back to the game, and for that I think you should go for the Japanese jujutsu, the father of aikijujutsu, and therefore, of aikido.
Then you would find the original way of fighting, with sparring, ground techniques and some striking.
I like you searching for answers in karate and MMA, I think you're in the right path. I really wish we could talk about aikido in a serious way 20 years from now, after you.
I really want to say "Rokas' aikido is no Muay Thai or BJJ, but it's a hell of a martial art" in the future
Trying to bring koryu jujutsu into the cage wouldn't make much sense because the context is very different. Modern combat sport nowdays are already the evolution of modern humans since they are designed to fight each other with barehand, while koryu arts were used just in case you lost your weapons and the other guy is trying to hack you to pieces with a sword or turn you into cheese with a spear. Alot of things wouldn't make sense or straight up useless if you trying to shove it into the cage, you basically reinvented the wheel and the so called "modifications" will just become modern wrestling, Judo, BJJ...
Agreed!
Since he is there he should also try Krav Maga and MCMA
many of us already did it.
And here there is still no aikido, only ju jutsu, which is the easiest part.
@@jaketheasianguy3307 I get what your saying, but Rokas doesn't talk only about MMA, he also talks about self defense, in which I think aikido could be even more useful.
Think about the other sides of fighting, not only MMA
I really love to follow your journey (I practiced Aikido for 15 years), I admire your honesty; Great to see that the main principles of Aikido apply to all/many martial arts.
This was good content. Walking through the principles in a different context than what is usually taught in Aikido. You sir are a gentleman and a scholar.
This is my favourite Martial Arts Journey video. I love discussing practical uses of different martial arts with other practitioners. This took it up a notch getting to learn from a professional MMA fighter and aikido practitioners which are rare in my social circle. Keep up the great work!
This is something that I learned time ago. Training and studying other martial arts helps a lot in understanding and improving the own martial art. Excellent video.
WHOA! Seeing u in the Aikido is definitely very strange looking now! Especially without the long hair! Everything looks different. Its not easy to explain...but the way u move, your physical mannerisms, and how u carry your posture...everything just looks so different! You move with a confidence that u didn't move with several years ago when I first started watching. U are still humble, but I can absolutely 100% see the change in u, how confident u are now, and how much u have grown since starting this journey. Its f××king awesome! Thanks for sharing this incredible transformation with us all over the last few years !
The methods of training in Aikido are not realistic but the principles behind it are. Aikido is more of a finishing school for an experienced martial artists to refine themselves rather than a starting point. Great video as always.
Perfect, all my friends of aikido are Black belt in another martial art
@@RicardoSantos1784 It just makes sense. After going through rigorous training in modern martial arts that are intended to harm one can explore more subtle and refined techniques with Aikido and find some grace, should they want to.
Yes. The principles all work but are hard to pull off against an equally skilled opponent. And theres no fight exposure. It's assumed you already know how to fight.
I totally agree on this been in boxing and tkd i always aggressive i always look for fight to test my skills but when i was learning aikido our sensei teach us similar to combat aikido with soft and hard techniques while your attacker must attack you fast and strong but with control if ever you didnt manage to execute ur techniques, my point is i never more calm when learning aikido and never been happy when i saved someone by teaching him and he managed to neutralize two strangers and other has a knife. So i conclude regardless what your art is if your really good to use every technque in real world your that good if you sux and didnt believe to yourself just avoid to fight, theres no harm avoiding it your life is important.
Finishing school!!! What a joke, since when did you get accomplished Judo, BJJ or Sambo people coming to your McDojo asking to learn anything!!!
Man you are super legit. I watched your first pressure testing video and found this one recently. I think what youre doing is smart, because the best way to have people take Aikido seriously is to take a few effective Aikido moves that can be used under the right circumstances while mixing them with striking and judo.
Very interesting seeing the Aikido principles applied to an MMA setting 👍
I'm definitely seeing a very strong Kruger-Dunning effect going on here with your reconnection with Aikido concepts, and I'm very glad you are using your experiences and making constructive exchanges with other folks like Oliver! I feel that, like the sciences, we need to have robust dialogue about martial arts; what's working, how to maximize its effectiveness, mitigate ineffectiveness, blend concepts when it shows good/solid results, etc. And having watched several other videos you have published, I believe that you are doing a great service those of us who are practitioners of martial arts. Good on ya Rokas, and good on Oliver! Keep it up, I reckon this is gonna be a very meaningful process for us all in the end.
The dunning kruger effect is the most dangerous elephant in the room of self defense that is least talked about. I have practiced martial arts as a hobby for some years and I know two things:
1) there are a lot of moves I know how to defend against
2) there are even more moves (and dirty tricks, real self defense happens in a space without rules!) that I have never seen before, let alone know how to defend against. Each of them could lead to my demise.
When I went to school I was permanently bullied, punched in the face and stuff by random dudes I never met before. I wanted to enter the domain of martial arts in hope of being able to defend myself. In my first lesson, sensei asked me why I was there and I told him. He rather quickly figured out what my problem was: My body language was a screaming invitation to pick on me. Then he told me the secret of successful self defense: Just do not be the most inviting person to pick a fight with! This is the best protection you can have!
Doing martial arts totally changes the body language. Mine changed drastically and my trouble went away, not instantly, but gradually. I wish this most important information was taught in more martial arts classes. And I hope that I will never have to use my martial arts skills in a real life situation, because this will get ugly either way. If I loose: no need to elaborate. If I win: lawsuit. Why? Bullies are always flocking togehter and they will definitely agree that I was the one who started it.
@@rareastatine85rareastatine97 How did you change your body language?
@@fluffylittlebear Before I started with martial arts, I always walked around leaning forward with my head hanging down a little. Where ever I was, I looked like I did not want to be there. When someone invaded my personal space, I surrendered and fell back. When someone took something I valued, I consented by being submissive. When someone hurt me, I did not even tell him I do not like it. I just fell back.
Now for the change: I stand straight, feet apart, a little like the basic stances showed in the video. I look a challenger straight in the eye and thereby, without saying a word, tell him: This is the place where I stand and claiming it for yourself means hard work for you. Do you really want to work hard, or just take the vacant place next to me without any trouble whatsoever? When I walk, I walk straight, head up and in firm steps, saying without a word: I know where I am going and don't you dare stop me. I am confident of myself and I am confident of my abilities.
This scares away the vast majority of bullies, because they are looking for easy targets, rather than hard work. Some of them, who are looking for challenges, must be defeated otherwise. I usually get to own them with a single, stupid intro line like "Did I challenge you, or do you want to feel challenged by me?" Instant DOS attack, brain AFK, precious time is won to think about a good strategy to handle the situation.
We all carry a subconcious thread assessment center in our brains that only few of us are really aware of, even fewer can control in some way. Ever looked at someone and thougt "wow, dont mess with this guy"? This is an evolutionary survival strategy. It is still deep within us and can be triggered with a few, simple tricks that served me well to this day.
@@rareastatine85rareastatine97 Thanks man that's all good advice.
@@rareastatine85rareastatine97 All true. The problem is with real fucking lunatics that don't care about their own safety. People that cannot be intimidated.
I studied Aikido in the mid 90s. It was a good work-out. I was in the East Osaka group. My teacher really enjoyed teaching 5 or 6 days a week. I got in trouble by challenging my Sensei and paid for it every class after that. Fighting is a dangerous dance and Aikido teaches you both sides. You will learn how to give pain and take pain, how to move and be moved, how to strike and block, all without getting too hurt. I’ve never had to go against a MMA fighter but I have used it to catch and detain people fighting.
I feel fortunate that the aikido sensei's I have trained with cross-trained themselves (BJJ, Filipino martial arts, striking arts) and they've always explained how its the PRINCIPLES of aikido that are meant to be applied, not the specific TECHNIQUE. Still, it was nice of you to lay it all out in one concise video format, and I hope this journey was rewarding. I'm sure if you do re-open your dojo, you will be like my sensei's and your students will appreciate it :)
I was just at aikido yesterday and my teacher was teaching me wrist releases and said I’m never gonna be in a situation like that but the movements and principles are what matters he’s also my judo instructor and learning aikido has only helped elevate my judo even tho I’m just a beginner
Can't thank you enough about this video, what a class, learned so much important principles, and a lot of similar ones to Wing Chun. I certainly gonna apply them in my Wing Chun classes with my students. This is the martial way, evolving and growing you art. Sorry my poor English, regards from Brazil mate.
Thank you for making this video man; It's been amazing.
Good martial artists always talk about principles and not techniques, and this shows how they are right.
This is great to see how aikido is actually functional and it works when mixed with something else. Oliver gives great lessons in this, showing how traditional arts can be applied in modern ways
Fascinating approach to integrating Aikido. I studied hard styles for a few yr before learning Aikido and never thought of blending them together like you did.
I love your videos. You got me interested in martial arts and changed my opinion on aikido.
Really glad to hear it!
Love this new path you are taking, Rokas! Meeting Jessee was a success!
The concepts are good but to be shown to be truly effective those concepts need to be demonstrated in live sparring I would think.
That would be ideal, for sure. You can observe many of them in combat sports though, since a lot of the explored principles are commonly used
@@MartialArtsJourney Wouldn't that be a negative of Aikido though? The fact that it has similar MMA movements but it's not effective in teaching them for use in real life.
Akido concepts came from swords and knives and killing. I don't know anything about martial arts, but I do now that.
To dismiss Aikido is stupid.
@@Quach7 to think aikido actually teaches you how to fight is stupid
This is a good coach; he listens, he gives constructive criticism and works with the level of skills you got and make whatever skills you have in the MMA ring. You are lucky because you have the skills and now a coach make your skills work. But kudos to you for sharing-thank you.
Me: reads the title
Also me: "Ah yes, a rickroll"
Haha
Rokas-roll
I am thrilled to see this in-depth discussion and checking. It gave me a whole new perspective of how to use these aikido principles in real fight and how valuable they could be. Thanks for sharing.
Great Video. I really enjoy learning from you and I find a lot of things that I can apply in my background of Sport fencing and HEMA. Though it is weapons based, all the ideas of pressure, distance and angle control are extremely important.
Aikido came from sword fighting. Rokas should have studied swords arts to understand aikido. I've never been in any "dojo", but just looking at aikido, I know it came from sword fighting.
This may be your best video yet!
Thank you for this. I practiced Aikido 30 years ago but didn’t get very far. None of the students were experienced fighters and I was as never truly convinced it would work based on sparring with other students who barely knew how to throw a punch. But at the same time, watching “aikido is garbage” videos never convinced me it sucked either. The whole “avoiding the opponent’s energy and redirecting it” seemed very sound. Even fighters grounded in other disciplines follow it to a degree with “you win every fight you don’t fight.” (Granted an experienced MAA, boxer, or kick boxer etc. would DESTROY a novice tough guy so an avoided fight = immunity from criminal prosecution/lawsuits. So why wouldn’t they?) I think your interpretation that Aikido should be the next level training for martial artists already experienced in RW fighting holds water. In my case I’m not used to physical confrontation (which hampered my progress) is a real obstacle.
The fear response that makes me and others feel so short of breath in a real confrontation is a serious obstacle to doing aikido maneuvers properly. An experienced fighter wouldn’t have that disadvantage. They already know how to take a punch to the face.
The best way to take a punch to the face is to not take a punch to the face. (I come from a competitive striking background but I know wrestling, judo and jujitsu as well).
The fact that the principles all apply (as they have equivalents or can be translated in to both other martial arts as well as combat systems) is a testament that the core of Aikido is actually pretty good.
It shouldn´t be taken as an insult to just claim that if you want techniques to work against a live oponent you just have to try them against a live oponent again and again... as all things in life.
This is very good work you are doing Rokas, I always enjoy your content :).
I think that I can specially enjoy your jorney because I trained many systems and I also started with aikido (though it was Tomiki in my case), but you are doing so in a much more professional and well-thought way.
Amazing video, one of my new favorites. It's interesting that the foundational principles are sound but how it taught gets farther removed from the original context over time.
Indeed...and another thing I have learned about aikido from his journey vids is that the more familiar you are with foundational ideas in other martial arts with striking and grappling the more likely you can practically apply what you can learn from aikido.
Which makes sense to me from what I know about aikido...to my understanding the founder knew other martial arts well and also when he first developed aikido he only took students that had also become proficient in other martial arts.
I think aikido has great potential as a supplemental study for when you have become experienced enough with fighting to actually begin to apply aikido.
Wow this guy you brought in is an MMA Master! Very impressed. Awesome collab. ❤
This is great! Thank you so much for sharing Rokas. This is definitely a Bruce Lee/Jeet Kune Do moment in the making. 😊 I’m excited to see how you spar with these new insights.
I’m also glad there are practical applications - I had a feeling there were some considering Aikido’s early history was more attack heavy and the techniques most of us have learned tend to be the later more meditative style. It also proves that training in multiple disciplines is good and necessary - we all have our unique styles of fighting even if we do dedicate to one art and it’s important to learn from other arts to see where we can improve. (For me it was TKD, Karate, and Penchak Silat.)
Glad you arrived!!! Been waiting long for this... like i shared long back on your videos!!!
Great video brother, keep on keepin on; you're an inspiration
Thank you Tyler
Finally you are back on track! Good job there!
Dont you ever give up!
I was very impressed with Oliver Enkamp`s knowledge. Kudos
Same here!
@@MartialArtsJourney Keep up the good work. You're a good guy and your motives are clearly genuine.
I'm impressed by your willingness to question yourself, learn, and not hold fast to your ideas as you get new information. Your conclusions were also my conclusions, though you took a much more rigorous path. It's great and educational for me to see this explored in some depth.
Rokas did more for the Aikido world in five years then most of the 'senseis' in a livetime.
The true definition of a Martial Artist
Rokas is just barely starting to understand basic techniques. People like him is what has hurt Aikido, trying to teach to others not having understanding of what your teaching.
@@michealpuckett8856 He is an aikido master und was dojo-cho
@@user-th9ek3jl7b Anyone can open a dojo . Rank gets awarded to people all the time different schools different standards. We see the McDos all over the place. When in the USA, trying to see if his trainers could use Aikido techniques he stood with grinning and nodding offer no corrections to them on proper use of the techniques. Either intentionally wanting it to fail or not knowing himself. I say he didn't know. Watching him much of techniques are flawed. He himself admits to basic techniques he fails at. The fact that he picks a technique and trying to use it in competition shows his lack of knowledge. Aikido is about using what works with certain energy from an attacker not forcing a chosen technique. This is why in basic training a certain attack is given, so the proper energy is ther to study a certain response. He doesn't ever discuss the energy stuff. The traditional Japanese ranking system was divided into 3 levels. SHODAN which was Shodan,nidan, sandan.. Middle level was.Chuden encompassing yonder, godan , rokudan. Mastery would begin from 7th,Narayan to 9th. Still in the organizations I'm familiar with 7th is considered the level of starting training in mastery.the 4th 5th 6th are body and energy. 1st 2nd 3rd are about physical and basic movement and techniques. Which Rokas fails at. Even a good 3rd dan practioner isn't a master. Rokas definitely isn't a master not being able to apply or explain basics. I know 1st degree shodans and even a few kyu ranks with better understanding. I recommend books as a start by William Gleason and Mitsugi Saotome, real masters. There are others.
@@michealpuckett8856 Thank you for your lesson in the Dan system but i hold a Nidan in Aikido as well. That being said i can't still see your point. Rokas Aikido techniques are at a good standard in his old videos. If you want to compare it with masters like Christian Tissier of course he can't reach that level. But you must not have beat Royler Gracie to teach a good BJJ either. In his recent videos of course he lacks the fine techniques because most Aikido principles Just don't work in an MMA setting. I was a bouncer during my time at university and applied some techniques like Sankyo on drunk people what acutally worked good for me. But in a Fight i would always use my MMA experience.
@@user-th9ek3jl7b First congratulations on using your Aikido in real world situations, thats better than Rokas has done .His early videos had some descent kata , dance stuff , movement but also many flaws in position and body movements. You call him a master when he has trouble with basic techniques. No you don't have to be Tisser or defeated a champion to be a good teacher. You do need to understand basic techniques. Even a good 3rd degree isn't a master at their art. My point was given in the previous post his techniques, like iriminage, ikkyo and lacking position and principles . I sited his lack of correctly showing or correcting moves his Portland BJJ trains were experimenting with. Many Aikidoa he has had on has pointed out his flawed techniques; Chris Heins, Dan Theodore (the Wolfman),Lenny Sly , Remey , Roy Dean. He has commented on his techniques.These people are very good Aikidoa, understanding what they are doing and improving, but they are not masters of Aikido nor am I.To his credit I don't think I ever saw where he said he was a master. You say his knower videos should be expected to not be as good? He has been training there should be improvement. If his Aikido was so good it should be lost so easy. You say you don't carry Aikido principle into MMA.. uh that was the point of the video.. The sad point once again is Aikido is often poorly taught by people who don't truly understand what they are doing. It produces Rokas that produces others wearing the art.. Hope you have good instructors, its good to try other groups.
That was one of the best summaries of MMA fighting strategies I've ever seen
Aikido has been diverted from its real purpose in my opinion. I think it's a martial art designed to be implemented to saber fight. All the grabbing, using opponent kinetic movement, falls and so on seems to mimic saber fights. For exemple nobody will try to hold your wrist unless they want to prevent you from using what you hold. Thats a martial art for samurais on the battlefield
This is awesome! As someone whose basis is in Muay Thai, GJJ, wrestling - I've always wanted train other traditional arts, especially Aikido, and it'd be awesome to learn from someone who is doing the work to modernize and apply it! Amazing work! Nothing but respect for the honesty and the effort.
This process seems to be what you have searched for. Keep applying what you have learned here. Breakthrough!
This was so familiar. 20+ years ago I took lessons under a Sensei named Hamilton. He had black belt in multiple arts, including Aikido, and trained some early MMA fighters. He took the best techniques of all he knew and combined them into an effective fighting style. Watching this very much reminded me of what he used to teach. Great Sensei, wish I had studied more under him
It’s a shame you don’t do another MMA vs Aikido spar/fight video, where your the MMA practitioner vs a different Aikido practitioner to see if it was either the student or the Dojo/gym. Like your last MMA vs Aikido video.
It's a great idea and I'd love to do it one day. The hard part is finding an aikidoka who is willing to do it, even more so on record
@@MartialArtsJourney still waiting for you to collab with chadi. exploring other grappling arts, especially one that focus on a lot of "stand up" should give you more insight on aikido and how to "make it effective". also explore kudo! you might find their transitions from striking to grappling interesting.
@@idleeidolon If I'm not mistaken, he recently did just that. He should be posting something soon.
@@idleeidolon Here... ua-cam.com/video/ZslzGxanB3E/v-deo.html Chadi posted a video. Rokas will be posting something on he's part soon.
@@MartialArtsJourney I've heard that there are Aikido tournaments in the netherlands and they train randori at their aikido schools.
Great to see you have come full circle.
What do you think of @ChuShinTani's idea of Aikido as a weapons platform? His summary of Aikido is essentially that if you're taking on multiple attackers, as many of the drills are about, you're not going to do it unarmed: you'll do it with a sword, or a knife, or a spear, or a staff. Seen in this way, Aikido becomes about evading the opponents while you cut or bash them with your weapon, like a Samurai in the old Kurasawa movies.
I like Christopher's approach a lot. I'm planning to meet him to learn from him and to film some some videos together in the future
@@MartialArtsJourney If you come out to the west coast of the U.S. you may want to considered doing a bit of a tour. Some ideas for you:
1. Chris Hein in Fresno (listed just to be complete, since you're planning on this, already).
2. Deena Drake (successor to the late T.K. Chiba shihan) at San Diego Aikikai (home to not-gentle aikido; a fair number of thier members cross train in other arts).
3. Josh Gold at Ikazuchi Dojo (new home to Aikido Journal, cross-training friendly there) in Los Angeles.
Outside of southern California and more spread out from one another:
4. Patricia Hendricks (top student of the late Saito shihan and excellent aikido technician) at Aikido of San Leandro (San Francisco Bay Area), this would be a good stop to work on getting your sloppiness corrected, or even just a fun personality to interview even if you don't do a training stop.
5. Roy Dean (famous BJJ/Aikido cross-trainer) in Bend, Oregon. Note that Bend is a mid-sized town otherwise in the middle of nowhere. If you go there, reserve an extra half-day to go see Crater Lake.
6. Bruce Bookman (famous Aikido practitioner and cross trainer) at Tenzan Aikido in Seattle. They teach both Aikido and BJJ there, and he has created some good material (marketed "Aikido Extensions") to help bridge the same gap that you're look into.
Keep up the good work you're doing great man!
Man... I admire you Rokas! I can follow all the insights and they make sense! From the video, I think we're safe to conclude that the thing behind Aikido's "ineffectiveness" is it's training methodology in regards of how to face resistance, thus learning to adapt to the dynamic of a real conflict.
With that, the following questions arise in my mind: 1. Is this kind of methodology intentional? 2. If not, what happened in the transmission of the art? and 3. If it is intentional, why is it so? What is the real purpose of the art, then?
I'm really enjoying your new dive into Aikido! Tks for that! I think I need this to have a positive "closure" in regards to my own Aikido history and set my next steps. I'm about to get back to training, finally!
That's awesome Wagner. I feel finding a positive and constructive way to relate to Aikido is helping me finding closure as well. Ps: Great questions too.
Aikido is classified like Iaido and Kyudo in that it's primarily a means of self discipline. More practical forms already pre exists each of these arts Daito Ryu, Iaijutsu, Battojutsu, Archery, Kyujutsu.
@@kevionrogers2605 Makes perfect sense to me. Yet, that is not what is claimed by the practitioners and masters in my experience. They do say it is effective and good for self defense.
@@wagutoxD Well it's just like the other Do arts could you use it to defend yourself yes, but is that it's primary concern no. I started Judo in 1989. The Judo I learned had Aikido built into it by including Tomiki curriculum through Judo Taiso, Taisabaki, 17 Kata, Kodokan Goshin no jutsu, and San Kata. They also had Goju Ryu, Kobudo, Kendo, FMA, so I was exposed to these arts too though not my primary. I started Gracie jujitsu in 1992 they had Kyokushin and Kickboxing. It wasn't until 2010 that I joined an Aikikai Aikido Dojo under the United States Aikido Federation in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Judo presentation of Aikido through the Tomiki system is as a Hinari Judo (separating supple/gentle way) as a method of Kogi and Goshin (sport and self defense). While the Aikilkai presentation of it at least in New Orleans is that its a mindfulness practice of moving meditation where one harmonizes at an instant with a threat as kata (formalized movements) such as slashes, thrusts, and grasp. The fact that we learned Shinto misogi as an integrated praxis is evident enough that its primary concern is do (way of life) not jitsu (craft, skill set). Judo, Kendo, Jukendo, Tankendo, Naginatado in a traditional dojo also has these elements too, but the sport aspect obscures this.
When you get a chance read an article entitled "On Modern Jujutsu by Kenji Tomiki" Another rendering of the translation is entitled "On Jujutsu and its Modernization"
Thank you for sharing the time and work within this video.
Did you filmed anything with chadi,
I'm eagerly waiting for your judo experience
Yes we did. I'll release my first video with Chadi in the next two weeks
Fantastic! Excellent in-depth study of how to apply the major principles of Aikido to MMA, or any other aggressive style.
Oliver is outstanding, a true budoka!🤼♂️💪🏽
100%
Excellent presentation of the understanding of Aikido and practical applications. And so, the journey continues. Salute!
And the journey is now full circle and you'll teach Aikido again for MMA?
I don't feel that I have enough experience in "functional aikido" to properly teach it, but in many years, who knows :)
@@MartialArtsJourney Pick up the DVD set of Highlander: the TV series. Go into HEMA. You don't need MANY years. Pick up a sword and you will quickly understand Aikido.
Aikido came from swords.
There's an name for that process, of learning things quickly instead of many years. It's called "The Quickening!".
Don't you learn anything from watching TV?
Dude!! I love this journey you're taking!! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE!!
That was great! By the way, I saw in your post about going to Paris that someone encouraged you to contact Leo Tamaki, and I'm curious if you managed to do it? His knowledge of Aikido, be it the martial art or the history behind it, is almost peerless, and I'm sure you'd enjoy the exchange :)
I didn't get in touch with Leo yet, but I may revisit France and do it next time
@@MartialArtsJourney Ah, that's too bad. I'd love to show you a video he made with a french martial arts publication, but it has no subtitles and I don't think you speak french haha. Thing is, he goes in length about Aikido and its history, and I've learned so many things thanks to that. I'm pretty sure that if you manage to meet him, the result will be phenomenal ^_^
m.ua-cam.com/video/rXuT0nulQ8I/v-deo.html
Better visit the family Mochizuki when you are in France. They have a long tradition in combining martial arts using the universal principals.
@@dutchronin That's great advice!
Finally Rokas is getting it, awesome video. This is the way to research, however you should learn about blending from wrestlers and you will understand more
I've made this conclusion long ago when I've watched your videos. Aikido is a set of advanced techniques only available to already highly skilled and experienced martial artists. That's why it doesn't work pretty much. You can't draw masterpiece without knowing how to draw a straight line.
Pretty much
Was made by judo masters, the mastery was lost in practically over the years but it stayed in writing
@@nicksalvatore5717 I believe it was created earlier by kenjutsu matsers during or shortly after Edo period. Aiki-jutsu must be an older term than Judo. Jigoro Kano lived not so long ago after all.
1 year too late, but the French AIKIBUDO (Not just Daito Ryu). It corrects lots of shortcomings of Aikido, making it a little bit more 'fight ready' and has some modern pressure testing behind it as few countries implemented some of the techniques/ combos for their enforcement units/ police trainings.
Aikido is not completly useless. My brother once fell from his skateboard and saved himself by doing a front roll they teach in Aikido. Lmao! 🤣
I love the way instead of letting go of the art you make it more complete
Aikido is just not suitable for MMA. Aikido is most useful for security and bouncers where they don't want to use deadly force, they are not fighting against a professional and they have other tools if they need.
I strongly agree,watch detroit survival training and youll see how aikido if very effective in combat survival in reality.not in sports but it can be still implemented .
I had a sensei that explained the functionality of the techniques, and it made so much more sense than just throwing a punch or a kick. That is missing in a lot of martial arts instructors. This guy really made sense of all the techniques you know, and why and how it works. That is a great teacher and practitioner of martial arts.
NOT that easy to APPLY Aikido in MMA or street fight !! You are BETTER off learning boxing & some BJJ techniques!! Be honest about it. I am DONE being lies by Aikido Master.
Just found this channel, this video caught my eye by chance, sitting there to the right, but unrelated to what I was watching. Now I'm watching this. And I'mma binge your channel quite a lot, that much seems clear. So thank you! Cause this is awesome!
That's awesome! Thanks
Awsome. I really like your honest approach. Thanks again Rokas. And it makes me want to practice Aikido even more ;)
The YT algorithm brought me back. It's nice to see you continue your journey. Also, excellent video!
Thanks! Glad to have you back
Now that is a video worth watching. Well done!
The principles of aikido overlap almost completely with those of ju-jitsu. The problem with aikido application has never been faulty principles, but training method. Most aiki practitioners skip to a nearly effortless style that doesn't have a practical approach to dealing with resistance. This combined with a compliant environment is the perfect breeding ground for ineffective technique. Whereas, as a BJJ blackbelt I can often make my techniques work with the effortless feel of aikido against white and blue belts, or perhaps, even catch similarly skilled opponents a couple times with their most practiced techniques/setups. Aikido captures the "magic" not only through developing their own timing and deception, but by imposing on their opponsent - requiring telegraphic, pre-arranged sequences without rapid adjustment or INTENT to win.
Wow man, I really love your content. Not only does it show your intresting journey, but also how you reflect on the flaws of aikido while looking for improvements and trying to understand how those flaws came to be. I have just watched a lot of your videos about practicaly aikido and I kept thinking the same thing. If the principles are good, and the masters can theoretically do amazing things, maybe the problem is in how its taught. I loved the conclusion you made and I admire the journey you are taking part in.
rokas + enkamp brothers = awesome video
Great video. What would be a great follow up is let mma practioner deal with knife attacks and multiple attackers. Honestly, as a life long student I find Aikido working best in multiple and weapon attacks.
Great video Rokas. And to add to your last sentence about Aikido founder only accepting experienced martial artists. He himself also was very experienced not only in multiple old japanese martial arts (Koryu) but also a seasoned military who actually participated in War and even founded colonies.
Oliver's technique is exactly what I learned 12 years ago from my local gym. Miss going there since I've always appreciated the art of aikido
this is one of the best martial arts videos I´ve ever seen, because you describe, analyse and synthesize, very important movements, for atacking and defending and from diferent martial arts points of views, a real master class, straight to the point. Subscribed.
It is truly awesome to see that his journey brought him back full circle to tackle the challenge of making his art applicable in pressure.
When he talked about long guard, I remembered George Foreman. This channel should have a coleb with the modern martial artist
This is wonderful to see. The growth and understanding as well as the revelations are great. Keep going. :-)
Oliver Enkamp seems to be a combat engineer, deep understanding of how things work, super great vid!
Thank you! My sincere appreciation for the path you have taken in the continue development of the art of Aikido.
Great video. Love how Oliver explained the principles in a practical context.
This makes perfect sense. Thank you for doing this!
What a treat to watch... I like how Oliver explains and demonstrate the concepts. This UA-camr collab is one of the best I have seen. 👏👏👏 Make some more interesting and funny contents. 👊😎
Sensei I've always respected your honesty and open mindedness, and willingness to learn from mistakes instead of excusing them. Very informative and insightful.
I like how Oliver corrects while not disrespecting
this is incredibly interesting! Please evolve aikido into a practical version for modern times. I love seeing this happen!:)
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