Quote:
Originally posted by scardog
Willing Uke's fill your Dojo, I'm sure. I doubt very seriously your aikido dojo is training you for the street. Unless you go full contact, and the goal is to incapacitate your uke in the shortest time possible, then you are training in an art, not a self defense method.
Whatever training you took with you to NHB or shootfighting, Aikido was not the only system you practised. I love aikido, and of course the elements are priceless in handling your body, and an opponents body. By itself, I disagree that it is a good art for the street. Everyone on the street doesn't commit to attacks. They fake and do many things untrained fighters don't do.
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You don't know anything about my dojo, so don't try to make assumptions. My Sensei grew up fighting everyday in the streets, and he brings that point of view into the dojo to prepare students for the streets. Chances are what you've seen is the 98% of Aikido that is not street effective, but don't over generalize. Before you start throwing accusations around, take me up on my offer and come visit me. Again, this is not ego bullshit...just let me show you good Aikido in a friendly environment to open your eyes.
And how much do you think a beginner is going to learn by having a constant and completely resisting uke IN ANY ART? If you wanted to be a weight lifter, you don't start off by throwing 500 lbs on the bar...you have to work your way up to learn proper technique and build your muscles gradually. Martial arts is no different. So sure; there's going to be some cooperation at some point in the dojo...but only to the point to teaching students proper technique...not giving them techniques that won't work.
But I will agree with you on one point. While Aikido by itself I think is very powerful in the street, it's even more powerful when supplemented with more strikes (Aikido has strikes, but not as extensively as other striking arts) and ground work. So yeah, I'm not purely an Aikidoka, but I consider myself primarily an Aikidoka.
And since we're on the subject, let me dispell a common misconception about Aikido. Aikido LOVES fully committed attacks, but don't require them...You can do Aikido as an initial move on an unattacking uke if you read the situation that the fight is imminent.