Seesaw, Compass And Figure 8
It is once again Aikido mechanics time. This is a really important one. So, get ready and buckle up . . . Most Aikido students have heard of the Figure 8. The imagery that comes to mind, for most, is the spinning jo scribing ∞ -- the metaphorical symbol of Aikido. But what really is its significance? Figure 8 is actually a combination of a Seesaw and a Compass. While the two components can work in conjunction with each other, they can also be taken apart and applied individually. Figure 8 has a noeud in the middle where the two sides -- Yin and Yang -- joint. The Seesaw and the Compass also have a point in the middle where the two forces meet. Good Aikido techniques are clever utilization of these leverage mechanisms so that the nage always has the long end of the stick. To help students understand these concepts, for weeks, I have been using various techniques to demonstrate the point. Figure 8 One basic jo-tori...
