Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques
by Gozo Shioda:
Review by George E. Mattson
Twenty, thirty or more years into their practice of hard karate, many will be able to pick up a book such as Gozo Shioda’s and be able to read and view the lessons as logical extensions to what they now teach and practice.
I’ve always been interested in Aikido. In my estimation, it’s an art karate practitioners won’t appreciate until they have evolved way beyond their basic understanding and practice of their core system.
Twenty, thirty or more years into their practice of hard karate, many will be able to pick up a book such as Gozo Shioda’s and be able to read and view the lessons as logical extensions to what they now teach and practice.
“…(The basic Aikido stance) is also the physical expression of your state of mind. The perfect stance is one that has to come without thinking, without trying. In other words, it has to come naturally. You will have to practice over and over again in order to achieve an ideal stance, mentally and physically.”
Yes, even Aikido talks about developing the ability to focus your physical strength. But unlike many karate practitioners’ understanding of their martial art, where everything tends to be “hard”.
In Aikido, “It is the learning of techniques to overcome your opponent by concentrating all your strength into one area of your body, be it your hands, legs, or back. In the same way as a baseball batter who hits the ball with timing and focus will get a hit or a homerun, with a combination of concentration and timing and focus you can perform exceptional throws.”
New karate students tend to look for the easy way, the quick way. The old timers, having been down that path, accept the fact that only through “practice, practice and practice” can the art be called an art and the art can be made practical, effective and can be relied upon when needed.
I’m really enjoying this book and recommend it to all martial artists, regardless what system you favor. You old-timers will really get a kick out of it, especially if you never really took an interest in Aikido. My feeling is that “core” Uechi-ryu at the highest level is the same “core” as is present in any credible martial art.
We certainly have read many of the martial art books that only teach the obvious physical techniques and applications. You owe it to yourself. . . if you are really serious about what you are doing. . . to pick up a book by a master with Gozo Shioda’s credentials. Yes, there are all the techniques and applications, but it is the heart and spirit of the basics; the “core” Aikido that you should be focusing on and applying to what you do every day in the dojo.
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$35.00/ 208 pages, 850 b/w photos (Publication date: December 1, 2006)
I’m sure Amazon will be carrying this book. If you want more information about where you can buy this book,
contact Hector DeJean, Publicity Manager.
Review by G.E. Mattson