Dear Joe Rogan, On the topic of Aikido.

Dear Joe Rogan,

On the topic of Aikido.

Aikido is NOT a combat sport. It's not a sport at all. If anyone has represented it this way to you, they were mistaken. Aikido is the study of the circle. It's a study of motion. It is a thought exercise. What you keep wanting to compare with combat systems is one of many systems a martial artist might study on the way to being a complete martial artist. It, in and of itself, is not meant to secure your place in a contest of martial prowess and, in Japan, it is not marketed this way. You see, the Japanese take things to the nth degree. Yes, believe it or not, one guy designed an entire system dedicated to learning how your opponent moves, the physics that governs his body, if you will. You continue to make a comparison of an apple to an Orange tree. The physical art is an expression of what is inside your mind. This art builds the mind so the art you express physically will be more "one with the universe" or "one with physics". It is not a directly applicable way to whip somebody's ass unless they are your average guy on the street who's angry and over applying his energy all over the place. But that doesn't invalidate the quality of the information.

All those guys falling down, they are practicing their Ukemi. That falling they do. That recognition of energy is just part of the training. It's all drills. You play both sides for an appreciation of both sides. And yes, you hit the nail on the head, it's just one more way to learn how to fall really well, but there's an art to it and a point of mastery that, to the Japanese is entirely worth pursuing.

Now, in addition, you go study your Judo and Jujitsu. You take the knowledge from your studies of motion and apply it by locking and throwing, you learn their versions of wrestling.  NOW you're ready for a fight.

If you want a demonstration. I'm in Lansing, MI. Let me know the next time you are in Ann Arbor. We will grab the local old school Kali/Arnis coach and go where the good Aikido dudes are and I'll use them to help me explain. I'm not a true long term practitioner. But I was a tourist long enough to understand the circle. I've used this in fights and on the wrestling mat a hundred times over the years. I've thrown guys threw the air with little no effort just because of their own momentum. I KNOW you must be aware of this capability on some level. It's not bullshit, you just don't yet have an appreciation for it. It's just not a fighting art in itself. It's meant to help you express your Fu better. And yes, every art has it, but O Sensei just took it to the nth degree. 

Aikido is motion. Jits is for destroying. ;o)

Always a fan.

Tank