Playful exercise for learning connection.
How is it done?
This exercise is done in pairs using a jo or wooden gymnastic stick. The aim of this exercise is to maintain connection with a partner while in movement. Using a wooden stick helps to improve a sense of awareness for each other’s movement. This is not an exercise involving speed or a focus on winning. This exercise is about concentration, connection, and being able to work together.
Students pair up and line up at one side of the tatami. Each pair is given one wooden stick. They wait for instructions from the teacher.
- Step one: Students face each other and the stick is placed on the belly, just above the obi. Students should not use their hands and should keep their hands behind their back or at their side. The students walk to the other end of the tatami without dropping the stick. When they reach the other side, they start walking back with the roles reversed. If the stick is dropped, it is put back in place and the exercise continues.
- Step two: Now pairs walk sideways, still facing each other, with the stick still placed on the belly. Again when the students reach the opposite side of the tatami, they walk back to the starting position.
- Step three: This step is the same as step one except the stick is placed on the shoulder, making it more difficult for the pairs to move as one. Students walk to the other side of the tatami and back again
- Step four: Students repeat step two with the stick placed between their shoulders. Students walk to the other side of the tatami and back again.
- Step five: Students repeat the exercise with the stick placed on top of the head. This can be made a bit easier by using a beanbag between the head and stick.
- Step six: students walk back to back and the stick is placed between them just above the Obi. This is a difficult step because the students cannot see each other. This step can be made even more challenging by walking sideways.
- Step seven: Students use Shikko walking with both hands on the stick. This is a fun way to close the exercise. All movement must be synchronized and using verbal commands can be useful to get a rhythm.
Students should pay attention to their breathing to help maintain contact.
To make this exercise even more challenging, the teacher can add further instructions about hand placement. For instance: do step one with hands on top of your head, step two with hands on your back, etc.
What is it good for?
In this exercise students learn how to stay connected with their partner. By using a Jo or a wooden stick, students will have to react to their partners movement, increasing their sense of awareness. The steps in this exercise must be performed in pairs which teaches students to move in as one. A strong connection between the partners is needed to be successful and a skill that is essential for all Aikido techniques. This exercise is a playful way for students to learn what staying connected means and feels like.