This exercise facilitates understanding of the power of circular movements. It also helps with mastering the right arches, as immediate feedback is given when the arches are not properly followed. Practitioners receive immediate feedback if they try to force their opponent to move.
Required equipment
Rope
How is it done?
By using the equipment, the tori must follow the proper arches to make the move happen. The connection between the partners is established through a short rope, a soft plastic knife of a nunchaku.
- STEP 1 - This exercise works best from holding attacks (e.g., katate dori). The connection is established by holding the two ends of a short rope or obi (belt).
- STEP 2 - The uke holds the rope statically and tries to keep it in the same place (not pulling it back though). The tori tries to slowly lead the force of the uke to the right direction, using the proper arch.
- STEP 3 - The tori tries to implement an Aikido technique with the rope. It usually commences well, but then the rope becomes loose. The tori needs to use the right arch to keep the rope tight during the entire implementation of the technique.
- STEP 4 - Try to transfer this feeling to the normal practice without any special equipment.
What is it good for?
Practitioners can experience that attacks can be avoided and redirected using less force. They need to focus on several details at the same time, which leads to increased presence. Using this presence in conflict situations increases the chances to solve them peacefully. Aggression is unidirectional, whilst love is multi-directional.