Take Your Joint Manipulation To The Next Level

Author: Bret Gordon

Nearly every martial arts system in the world teaches joint locks and manipulations. Yes, even Taekwondo. Don't believe me? Look at the application of the kata/hyung/poomse. It's hidden in there for the most dedicated of practitioners to find. Just because your instructor never revealed them to you doesn't mean they don't exist, because honestly they may not even know. It's not their fault, true bunkai oyo (kata application) is often reserved for a select few. Or did you really think your low block was to stop a full power round kick to the leg? However, bunkai is not the subject of this article. Instead I want to focus on the physical techniques themselves, why they're just the beginning and how to reach the final destination.

In Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, there is a natural progression of learning physical techniques that seems to be lacking in most other arts. Everyone starts with jujutsu, the locks and throws that make up the bulk of the curriculum. From there, they learn to apply certain internal characteristics and principles to their jujutsu, in turn creating aiki jujutsu. It's this level of transmission I want to discuss to help you reach this next level of learning that most never attain. I'll probably have a hit out on me from the aiki mafia after this article, but it's worth it.

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