Shihan Tony Sargeant, 7th Dan. Founder of Takemusu Iwama Aikido Europe. Tony started Aikido in 1973. www.takemusu-i... Bukiwaza website: www.iwamaryu.com #iwama #tonysargeant #aikido
Often totally underestimated. (I did.) The warm ups, as we often call them are so important, for more reasons than one. If only it had not taken me so long to realise it. They are the time when you focus on your own body, taking time to connect mind with movement. Take the head turning from side to side as an example. The connection of head to body via the neck is very important. I have seen this exercise done by many high level teachers in aikido and tai chi. I often wondered why they gave it such prominence and carried it out so slowly. When you turn your head slowly and try and use the base of the neck , feeling its interaction with your shoulders and spine, you create a whole body connection, herein lies a worthwhile value in the exercise. A chance to connect mind and body in a meaningful way. Warm ups should not just warm the tendons and course the blood, They are a wonderful opportunity to engage whole body with mind. In the end, more valuable than techniques. Only an opinion.
Often totally underestimated. (I did.) The warm ups, as we often call them are so important, for more reasons than one. If only it had not taken me so long to realise it.
They are the time when you focus on your own body, taking time to connect mind with movement. Take the head turning from side to side as an example. The connection of head to body via the neck is very important. I have seen this exercise done by many high level teachers in aikido and tai chi. I often wondered why they gave it such prominence and carried it out so slowly. When you turn your head slowly and try and use the base of the neck , feeling its interaction with your shoulders and spine, you create a whole body connection, herein lies a worthwhile value in the exercise. A chance to connect mind and body in a meaningful way. Warm ups should not just warm the tendons and course the blood, They are a wonderful opportunity to engage whole body with mind. In the end, more valuable than techniques. Only an opinion.
Yes, if we only realised it when young, we would not need it once the body is failing. Those who listen early will reap the benefits later in life.