Cross-Training and Ukemi

Reginald Williaams (University of Iowa Aikikai)
ddwddick@yahoo.com

Last year, I started cross-training in Jujutsu - one of the four foundation arts of Aikido. Aikijutsu and Judo are direct distillations from Jujutsu. It is my contention that having a working knowledge of Judo, Jujutsu, Kenjustu (sword) and Sojutsu (spear) would not only help me grasp the origins of our waza, but give me the opportunity to understand some of what O'Sensei was expressing in our do. O Sensei was a proponent of cross-training - having done it himself, as well as having accepted students from other arts by recommendation or by their own desire to train with him.

Cross-training was also prevalent during the days of the Samurai. Miyamoto Musashi (author, Go Nin no Sho/Book of Five Rings) was one of the most noted and legendary of the Samurai class. He was credited with having said "Be acquainted with every art", and "Know the ways of all disciplines". Understand that cross-training in martial arts will not be for everyone. You will probably see a decrease in your skill level before any marked increase of proficiency occurs. Individuals will cross-train for varying different reasons, and not always to become stronger at martial arts.

First and foremost: I asked, and received permission from my Sensei, Diana Harris (Sandan, University of Iowa Aikikai) to train in Jujutsu. Next Sensei Robert Brooks II (Kushin Ryu Jujutsu, University of Iowa) accepted me and two other students from the U of I Aikikai to come and cross-train with his students. We learned early on that Brooks SenseiÕs style to say the least was "Old School" (traditional). He strongly believes in the 'Martial' of the Art (Military style). Initially, I found out a different requirement of physical fitness was needed. Vigorous calisthenics was a continual part of the class. Sometimes as much as half the class might be spent on conditioning, the standard class length usually being 1.5 hours. This would push one to their physical limits and would force the individual to draw upon themselves (psychological/spiritual) to complete the task. It was continually repeated that the mind was being trained, not just your body.

As in Aikido, emphasis in the Jujutsu class is placed on kihon waza. We shoshin-shu were learning additional ways to do Kota-gaeshi, and shiho-nage. Ippon sae-nage, tomi-nage, and goshi-garomi were also taught. There were some holiday weekends where advanced techniques may be taught, though this would not happen on a regular basis. In coming from a different style the thing I found most helpful was my ukemi. Since Brooks Sensei teaches the majority of techniques in a manner that I call real time, falls occur a lot faster as only senior students of Aikido might expect or experience. I could have done a face-plant, or crashed and burned many times. The only thing that saved me was prior training in taking a fall. If I had not had at least a moderate level of experience in falling, I probably would not have lasted even one month.

We practiced koho ukemi, and koho-kaiten ukemi as well as zempo-kaiten ukemi routinely. Then yoko ukemi and yoko-kaiten ukemi were introduced. Sacrifice falls to the front as well as in a tucked roll were added. Having reviewed Ukemi 1 and 2 by Shihan Donavan Waite (Rokudan, Aikido of Center City) gave me the visual image of many of these falls and rolls early on. The only time I had ever seen a sacrifice fall before was on the DVD by late Shihan Kanai Mitsunari (8th dan, New England Aikikai). Much like Kanai Shihan, we allow the individual to set us up to be thrown, and then set ourselves to use that momentum to throw our opponents. This takes confidence and control when preparing to fall. It was with this technique that I learned why we keep our knees close together on koshinage and O-goshi.

In Aikido, I had been warned many times by sempai not to take too-wide a stance on my hip throws. It was in Jujutsu, that I learned (first hand and painfully I might add), that there is truly a counter to every technique. My knee joint is better now, though at the time I sincerely wanted to cry out in agony, and had a noticeable limp for several weeks. Brooks Sensei reminds us constantly "This is not a sport". We literally train for the 'what if' situations". In that ideal I was made to understand that ukemi is a technique in and of itself, which allows us that conduit to the next technique or counter.

In closing, I will state that my experience on the whole has been a positive one. I feel more focused, and certainly have better balance when giving an attack or doing a technique. Ukemi is not the only thing that I have improved in this past year. My mind is more relaxed in both classes, my breathing less ragged, and my intent more determined. Cross-training gave me the chance to experience another SenseiÕs training methods and art. It emphasized to me that there are basic principles and common threads that are inherent in all styles, that cannot be changed no matter what the system or philosophy may be.

If you want to try cross-training, remember a few things. 1) Get approval from both Senseis (yours first, and that of the art you are interested in Š note that written as well as verbal approval may be required). 2) Be an empty vessel (no matter how accomplished or high ranked you are, you are starting fresh. In most cases the Sensei you are cross-training with may not know or even care which style you are from, and your opinions do not matter to them). 3) Learn/know how to protect yourself (usually you will taught how to react/fall to certain techniques, but there is always the possibility of injury when they are done incorrectly).