Resting, leaning, conviction, abandon

Resting, leaning, conviction, abandon 

Ukes will rest or wander if not led. Nage will lead where uke's energy is headed.

  Following and leading become one as the energy and intention becomes the focus. What seems to be matters not and what is prevails. 

Why would uke lean....why not if they have a place to rest? Move the resting place and uke will lose balance.

Letting, not forcing with open palms and soft finger tips...no grabbing, pushing or pulling only guiding.

When uke comes around to see where nage went she will move in the energy trough if it is made available. First the void must be defined by nage's dramatic, dynamic movement. Uke is encouraged to follow by enthusiastic soft letting. 

When nage moves with intention and invitation uke can't help but follow. It is like offering roast beef to a Dalmatian...uke is willing and eagerly follows on the sweep of defined energy in the described channel. 

Aikido requires faith. Nage must believe in his ability as he defines the channel with this vibrant movement, strewing energy as he leads the way. Then nage follows uke as nage continues to lead. Nage must lead with no thought as to if uke will follow, and uke must trust that nage will lead.

It sounds crazy until you have felt it. To feel aikido one must take a leap of faith and move as nage with conviction and move as uke with abandon.

That abandon that uke develops is a sincere attack every time. Each uke deserves the best attack uke can give each time and then the best attention given to following. Nage leads with that conviction -- uke follows with abandon each and every time. It could also be said that nage leads with abandon and uke follows with conviction.

See why I love aikido?