Article 9: What happens once uke posture is broken?

Kuzushi or the removal of uke basal support is a key part of Aikido and what appears to be it's effortless grace. I've been wanting to write about the elements of this explicitly for some time, and it really needs more preparation on my part with some photographic resources so that I can communicate accurately what it is I'm trying to say.  But I'll have a go anyway.

How is uke posture broken?

In the human body weight centres around the pelvic cradle, and Aikido techniques (as I'm sure all combative systems do)  make use of this to throw or immobilize our attacker.  Shiho nage and Ikkajo illustrate the two key lines that can be broken in uke, to the real and front respectively.  Different to many Judo techniques, which break balance in a direction parallel to the shoulders.

How can uke respond to this posture break?

I am a big believer in the 'form' and that uke has the most important job to do, which is to help shite learn.  Uke should approach the technique without ego, it is not a competition.  However, asking the question above does allow us to develop more of understanding of the reason why techniques are the way they are.  One of the great benefits I think of practising (even in some small part) the Yoshinkan Aikido type techniques, is that they are some of the least changed from O Sensei and thus a better link to the world for which they were originally designed.  Anyway, I digress, in my view, uke can only do three things once his posture is broken.

1. Fall over
2. Power up from the broken position
3. Step back

Having practised a with a variety of Aikido styles (and this is only in my experience and view), the Yoshinkan Shiho nage helps us understand this kuzushi process really well.

Obviously uke falling over is our goal and desirable. But uke does have two other options.

When holding uke for Shiho nage (just before the final slide forward for the throw), if we refer back to the core posture (kamae), shite should hold their centre line (chushin) strong.  At this stage uke should test upwards strongly in other to see if shite will be forced back.  It should also be noted that shite should not be engaging his shoulders in this maintenance of the posture break.  If this happens, then the technique is as good as failed, and shite will have to make up with his lack of technique with shoulder muscles and possibly speed to cover over the cracks.

How far should you slide behind uke?

When we move forwards it is essential that we do three things, firstly, slide into 80/20 with our weight forward, secondly maintain relaxed shoulders and a strong centre line.  But we must also slide forwards further than uke can step back.  If uke can step back further than the entrance movement from shite, then uke will be able to regain their posture and stop the technique from being effective.