TAE Journal, Edition 12, Questions and Answers with Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros

FROM EDITION 12 OF THE TRADITIONAL AIKIDO EUROPE JOURNAL – JANUARY 2025

How do we find the angle for the finishing cut in the last move of the kumitachi and how do we avoid getting blasted back by the attacker?

First the basics: the angle for the finishing cut in all the kumi tachi is a yokomen uchi while you remain centred on the line and angling into uchi tachi’s attack. There are many basic ways of finding this receiving cut (yokomen) but the key is in the hip rotation and control of the weapon from the centre. An important issue in these practices (kumi tachi) is one of being able to deal with pressure. So first we practise correct form built up from suburi where we are learning to make the weapon an extension of our whole body and centre work and then incorporate that dynamic into practices that put it under pressure - and hence develop and deepen it further. So, getting progressively ‘blasted back’ is where we need to eventually go!

Why are the oyo, henka, kaeshi waza not in books or filmed? Is this something you are considering doing, or would be interested in?

I cannot be sure why Sensei did not leave a record of these levels. But my own opinion is that these levels are not sets of techniques like the basics at Kihon and Ki no Nagare levels. They are more akin to an understanding/ability and the techniques we practice at these levels are meant to be understood as examples and not something fixed.

Henka waza for example are techniques born of the need to change - either because your technique is failing or you are being blocked. The transition and the techniques that become available to you as a follow-up are always going to be unique to that particular moment of interaction. Don’t be fooled by the examples we practice to demonstrate this level - what we want is to grasp the principles that make this level functional. The same goes for Kaeshi waza and especially Oyo waza. Actually, I have not considered doing anything for the record with these levels. I am more focused with the basics where the abilities that lead to these levels are learned.

What grade could someone attain if they don't do rolls or high falls? What if there is a medical reason? Will their Aikido stagnate without ukemi?

It depends on how you define ukemi. If ukemi is just rolling and high-falling, then someone with physical limitations will be stopped short. The term actually means ‘receiving body’ and not ‘falling’ as such. Ukemi is the ability to receive force without resistance allowing oneself to ‘deform’ as needed to maintain one’s integrity - on all levels (physical-mental-emotional).

Ukemi allows us to receive and ‘listen’ to our partner's technique and respond accordingly. It is also the primary way of learning technique as when working with a senior we can ‘feel’ through our connection with them the ‘how’ of what they are doing. So, while I teach technical ukemi (rolls etc) and consider it very important I take ukemi as something much broader and hence can adapt it more easily to students with physical limitations so that they can develop in their practice.

How do we put forward Aikido to people who haven't trained before? Do we relate it to similar ideas such as kendo or judo with a martial and applicable emphasis, do we abandon all competitive talk and focus on the study as the purpose, or do we simply let those who are looking find us?

What are you passionate about as an Aikidoka? Why have you chosen this art versus another? What, to your mind, separates it out from others which are more focused on competition or simply self defence? Share that.

How do we undo all the damage that has been done by social media? The inaccuracies and omissions, the poor understanding and appreciation of technical principles, and the lack of clarity and integrity that so many fail to deliver to such a wide audience?

‘False coin abounds because real gold exists’. There is nothing we can do about correcting the perceived errors of others (especially when they are not asking for correction), whether in person or on social media. We should look to ourselves and our own errors and continue to practice in the most meaningful and honest way we can.

Those interested in training the same way will find us.

Why is the tanken (tanto) syllabus less developed than the bokken and jo? Arguably, a knife is a more likely weapon on someone's person due to its size and ease of concealment.

Yes, I agree. The knife should have much more prominence in our practice for the reasons you point out plus others. One reason for its lack of emphasis goes right back to Iwama. Morning class was weapons outside and evening class was tai jutsu. On rainy days we would practice inside weapon taking primarily (jo and tachi dori) followed by jo mochi nage and finally tanken (tanto) dori. So, it did not receive much attention. However, it was clear from the little that Sensei showed that it was part of a more complete system beyond the basic 5 or 6 techniques we did 90% of the time we practiced it.

Training should be both focused and enjoyable. The issue of too much talking or distraction on the mat is something that needs to be addressed by instructors for obvious reasons, however I think it is important to appreciate on a deeper level why excessive and unnecessary personal interactions during training is not useful. Essentially what we seek is to be able to respond to circumstances directly and appropriately from a ‘non-thinking’ space. Think of the situations in your life when you have been in a sudden unexpected moment of danger such as an accident or an unexpected threatening encounter. In those moments thinking is going to be too slow. You must respond immediately. If you do not, or stutter into ‘thinking it through’, allowing fears and doubts to overwhelm you, you will be ineffective. This applies equally if your response is to withdraw strategically (if that is possible) and allow yourself time to further appreciate your options while you take control of initiative, time and space. In training once we have the basics of understanding what particular practice we are engaged in, we should throw ourselves into it shifting from ‘thinking it’ to ‘feeling it’. Not only should our technique be smooth and effective, but our state of mind should be clear, calm and focused allowing our perception of the situation to be direct and unclouded by affective concerns.

Training in martial arts is not just about learning techniques but is also about training our mind. Without attention to this domain training is essentially empty. Hence unnecessary talking and distraction on the mat is not innocent but basically a waste of time while undermining the development of real ability. There were intermediate and advanced difficulty techniques plus complex attacks. So, I feel we have been left with the skeleton of a system that was not recorded anywhere by Sensei and hence it is up to us to explore and fill out this part of the curriculum.

When training with someone who practices a different style and has done so for countless years, how do you get them to try the Iwama way of doing things? How can you challenge them when they teach their own way of doing things to new students when it contradicts with the ‘sensei’ on the mat?

Yes, you can absolutely ‘challenge’ them if when on the mat in your class they begin teaching their own way of doing things to their partners. This is a question of humility and respect. When visiting another style dojo or taking a seminar with a Sensei from another line I put my own knowledge aside and focus on what the teacher is doing - which is going to be technically different. There are two issues here for your specific question: Is the visitor willing to try to follow your class or is he just doing his own thing? If the latter, be clear with them. Bring them back to being beginners (shoshin) and just training. If they are not prepared to do that, ask them to leave.

How do you strike a balance between 'focused' and 'fun' training? Similarly, how do you stop people talking too much when on the mat, and what is the right level of conversation? Should this be challenged, and if so, how best to do so without admonishing or belittling those involved? What if seniors are the problem?

Training should be both focused and enjoyable. The issue of too much talking or distraction on the mat is something that needs to be addressed by instructors for obvious reasons, however I think it is important to appreciate on a deeper level why excessive and unnecessary personal interactions during training is not useful. Essentially what we seek is to be able to respond to circumstances directly and appropriately from a ‘non thinking’ space. Think of the situations in your life when you have been in a sudden unexpected moment of danger such as an accident or an unexpected threatening encounter. In those moments thinking is going to be too slow. You must respond immediately. If you do not or stutter into ‘thinking it through’ allowing fears and doubts to overwhelm you, you will be ineffective. This applies equally if your response is to withdraw strategically (if that is possible) and allow yourself time to further appreciate your options while you take control of initiative, time and space. In training once we have the basics of understanding whatever particular practice we are engaged in, we should throw ourselves into it, shifting from ‘thinking it’ to ‘feeling it’. Not only should our technique be smooth and effective, but our state of mind should be clear, calm and focused allowing our perception of the situation to be direct and unclouded by affective concerns.

Training in martial arts is not just about learning techniques but is also about training our mind. Without attention to this domain training is essentially empty. Hence unnecessary talking and distraction on the mat is not innocent but basically a waste of time while undermining the development of real ability.

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