Aiki Vs Uncommon Attacks

In training, students apply a familiar set of traditional Aiki techniques against a familiar set of traditional attacks. In a self-defense situation, however, one seldom sees a lunge punch, an overhead strike, a side-head strike, or a wrist grab. For self-defense, both the attack and the defense must be modified, but the defense should ideally retain the idea of Aiki energy and principles. Hanshi Annesi uses several simple examples to show that, with minor adjustments, Aiki can take on attacks not commonly experienced in the dojo.