What it comes to ukemi, I believe that aikido has a serious problem that the vast majority of people aren\u2019t even aware of. It\u2019s a pretty simple one and to find out what it is let\u2019s consider the standard aikido class. As we consider this, reflect on the moment where we teach the ukemi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have trained in enough dojo\u2019s in enough countries to feel completely comfortable stating that this is how the vast majority of aikido classes are taught. There are variations on this naturally, some will include meditation some won\u2019t for instance, but they will predominantly follow this gentle curve of compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are numerous aspects of this class structure that I take issue with, in some circles my rant on aikido warm-ups is becoming legendary (or \u2018stay colds\u2019 as I prefer to call them). What I specifically want to look at here is 3.3 – \u2018The instructor demonstrates the technique on the uke several times.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the traditional way that aikido has been taught. The unfortunate thing about tradition is that just because it\u2019s always been done that way doesn\u2019t mean it is the best way to do something, merely that a different way has not been considered. Something becomes a tradition because it was previously thought to be the best way to do it. Unfortunately knowledge advances and often times those traditional methods become very outdated and in some cases a hinderance to the goal. They can be useful to know as a fall back system but if a pilot suddenly turned off the aeroplanes GPS and pulled out a chart and compass I\u2019d be a little concerned. It\u2019s not that this is ineffective, it\u2019s just that there are better systems available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aikido teaching method is similar to this. What was once an accepted method of transmitting the knowledge is still considered to be a good one. Unfortunately there have been a large number of advances in various fields that relate to what we\u2019re doing. These fields include coaching techniques, teaching methodology, and sports science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you watch a standard aikido class it\u2019s as if the last 70 years of advancement in these areas by-passed us. For now let\u2019s just consider the most basic and flawed aspect of the teaching method. I say flawed but perhaps that\u2019s the wrong term. Ill-considered might be a better one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Demonstrating](\"https:\/\/remoteaikidodojo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/jo-ukemi-200x300.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve never come across an aikidoka that is unaware of the importance of ukemi. Most of the ones I\u2019ve talked to about it agree that it is at least as important as performing the techniques. Without good ukemi you can\u2019t do good aikido is something that people generally agree on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that\u2019s true, and I believe it is, why don\u2019t the instructors teach the ukemi as well? This is so blindingly obvious it baffles me more people don\u2019t raise it or just do it. In over two decades of training around the world I can only name one person that would routinely demonstrate the ukemi (Henry Kono, though I never personally saw it as I only trained with him once) and one other that does but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a common occurrence for them (Osamu Obata Shihan, it was amazing to see).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By teaching the ukemi I don\u2019t mean that they teach people how to roll or breakfall. What I mean is that when they demonstrate a technique they reverse roles and the instructor takes the ukemi and explains how to do it. What the uke should be doing to promote the principles that the nage should be working on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is so very simple yet results in such a massive change. When I realised this glaring omission I started to demonstrate both sides of the technique. The resulting pace of learning my students displayed was an order of magnitude greater than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s often said that uke is the teacher of nage, but if we don\u2019t teach uke what to do how can they? What chance do either of them actually have?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, the argument is that the students should be watching both uke and nage during the demonstration, but that\u2019s not what happens. Everybody watches the instructor. After all, they\u2019re the one teaching. If you\u2019re watching the uke you don\u2019t see what you\u2019re supposed to be doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I don\u2019t consider this to be a malicious act either. I think it\u2019s a result of tradition (we\u2019ve always taught this way) and lack of thought towards what we\u2019re actually doing. It\u2019s simply never occurred to the vast majority of aikidoka to ask the question, \u2018Why don\u2019t we demonstrate both parts?\u2019 When you start thinking about it you realise that there isn\u2019t actually a good answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a teacher, start teaching the ukemi as well. It\u2019ll improve not only your aikido but your students as well. If you\u2019re a student, be bold, ask your instructor to demonstrate the ukemi (though they probably won\u2019t thank you for it). You don\u2019t have to ask them while they\u2019re teaching, do it during the training part if you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teach the ukemi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can afford it, and would like to help out,
consider donating some brain fuel!<\/p>\n\n\n