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BASIC FOOT MOVEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Although we practise the Foot & Hand Movements formally in a class situation in lines, these exercises could, and in fact should, be practised individually, at home, by oneself. Primarily they teach us to move in a "Shuffle" or succeeding feet manner (Tsugi-ashi), in keeping with good posture, balance and co-ordination. Furthermore, they help us to maintain a right or left defensive, yet natural posture, whilst moving. Normal walking (Ayumi-ashi) is a succession of right & left defensive postures and the retention of balance can be difficult, particularly if large steps are taken. Simply they are about natural and efficient movement. They are basic building blocks and once mastered they can be applied to any discipline.
As an example, if we take tennis, here we have backhand strokes, these relate to our inside sweep and outside turn action. The forehand strokes in movement are similar to our outside sweep and inside turn. To be able to control the ball, first the player must develop full control of his or her own body. In short the basic foot & hand movements of Tomiki Aikido form the basis of many other disciplines and that the study of Tomiki Aikido is a good way of learning any Martial Art and a large number of what would initially appear to be non-related sports.
FOOT MOVEMENTS (0nsoku)
This is the basis of our system of Aikido and also Judo. It reinforces the eight directions of movement. It relates to eight directions of balance breaking (Kuzushi) or the eight throwing directions. When practised whether alone or in a group, the individual is setting neuro-muscular response patterns which are developing stability, central alignment, control and balance through regulating the centre of gravity. At this stage it has little to do with avoidance and timing, in the Martial Arts sense. By definition it excludes any movement of the hands and arms. There are eight directions of movement in the Foot movements.
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Their representation can be clearly seen in the Tomiki Mon and the British Flag.
As an exercise these are practised in sets of three. Starting with the left foot, each set is performed to the count of eight. Start and finish in Basic Front Posture. The movements should be quick, light and relatively small, ensuring that both feet are fully contacting the mat during pauses. During the movements the feet must maintain a shoulder-width-apart distance and be kept close to the mat; use a gliding or sweeping action. When performing these exercises, practise by counting then swiftly moving.
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Yamada
Sensei performs Unsoku in 1959 (pictures
courtesy of Kikusui Kai)
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BASIC FRONT POSTURE (Nami-Shizentai)
Stand upright, knees soft, with the feet in-line & shoulder width apart, hands resting lightly on hips with fingers extended, pointing slightly downwards.
1) STRAIGHT, FORWARDS & BACKWARDS
COUNTING "ONE": Step forwards with the left foot, immediately bring forward the right foot behind it.
COUNTING "TWO": Step backwards with the right foot, immediately bring backwards the left foot. Maintain the relative feet positioning (left in front of right).
COUNTING "THREE": Take a further step backwards with the right foot, immediately bring backwards the left foot. Maintain the relative feet positioning (left in front of right).
COUNTING "FOUR": Return to basic front posture by stepping forward with the left foot then immediately bringing forward the right foot.
COUNTING "FIVE, SIX, SEVEN & EIGHT": Repeat the sequence starting with the right foot.
2) SIDEWAYS, TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT
COUNTING "ONE": Step to the left side with the left foot, immediately move the right foot towards the left foot, maintaining the correct distance between the feet.
COUNTING "TWO": Return to basic front posture by stepping sideways with the right foot then immediately bringing the left foot towards it.
COUNTING "THREE": Step to the right side with the right foot, immediately move the left foot towards the right foot, maintaining the correct distance between the feet.
COUNTING "FOUR": Return to basic front posture by stepping sideways with the left foot then immediately bringing the right foot towards it.
COUNTING "FIVE", "SIX", "SEVEN" & "EIGHT": Repeat the sequence starting with the right foot to the right side.
3) CORNERS, FRONT & REAR, LEFT & RIGHT
COUNTING "ONE": Step forward and turn the body through 90 degrees to the left, immediately move the right foot towards the left foot, maintaining the correct distance between the feet.
COUNTING "TWO": Return to the starting position, basic front posture, by stepping with the right foot then immediately bringing the left foot towards it.
COUNTING "THREE" & "FOUR": Repeat the sequence starting with the right foot and turning the body through 90 degrees to the right, before returning to basic front posture.
COUNTING "FIVE": Sweep the right foot in an arc to the left rear, turning the body through 90 degrees to the left. Immediately move the left foot towards the right foot, maintaining the correct distance between the feet.
COUNTING "SIX": Return to the starting position, basic front posture, by stepping with the left foot then immediately bringing the right next to it, still maintaining the correct distance between the feet.
COUNTING "SEVEN" & "EIGHT": Repeat the sequence starting with the left foot and turning the body through 90 degrees to the right rear, before returning to basic front posture.
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