Aikido: Connection and Kuzushi, lesson 1 

This is an excellent description of connection, of course the application is different when it relates to techniques on the ground as opposed to the stand up, but the "feel" and how to use your opponents movements or energy against him, and the "feel" so you can anticipate your opponents movement is the exact same, great video Nick

41 years in martial arts and never saw this before. so I am on it like moss in a damp cellar! I understand it very well from your video so I will be on it next practice. Thank you very much Nick

Most important teaching of Aikido or Judo I ever heard ! Thankyou !

Right on. I wish I had caught this video a year ago. Thisis exactly the stuff I am unfolding right now.

I practice T'ai-Chi and I really appreciate videos like this that focus on general principles that I can apply to what I do, rather than specific forms or exercises which are more relevant to people studying that particular art. Not knocking those other videos mind you, just really appreciative of this kind. You seem like a relaxed and humble teacher, more interested in the material than in strutting your ego. Great work and I just subscribed. GB

chances that Rickson himself will ever have any material on connection widely available are slim to none so the best bet is perhaps one of his disciples may. its been talked about, and in some cases those that have attended Rickson's seminars have talked about it, but there's been almost no video discussion of it. hoping that one of these days Henry Akins, who taught for years with Rickson, may address since he's starting to throw more videos out now

I love this video!!!! More often than not I do not have a training partner, so I concentrate with these types of kuzushi with my bokken.

Awsome !

sensei, firstly thanks for your great videos. how do you feel the concept of connection can relate to bjj? I've been training in bjj for 11 years. I never have been fortunate enough to train with Rickson Gracie, but a common topic at his seminars is connection and how it relates to every move. do you know much about Rickson's interpretation of connection? and is it similar or different to yours?

great stuff and u seem like a nice man 2

do you have to tuck in your pelvis when doing this?

Great video. I was wondering about breaking structure. Taking someone off balance by causing them to loose balance/footing is clear, but what do you mean by breaking structure? Is it a muscular thing or is it also to do with their centre of gravity and balance?

wing chun chi são should always have these principles. not always boom boom boom

Not trying to hate or anything. I did aikido for a while, and I know for a fact that these moves would do nothing against a resisting Uke. It's more of a choreographic dance than an actual application of martial art. These students pretty much know what technique is coming and automatically go with the flow, they even break fall as if they were getting thrown by a judoka (which he might or not be, but the move itself doesn't portray Judo). Aikido is a beautiful martial art, but it's simply not a practical one. 99% of the moves you learn in Aikido would work for nothing in a real life situation, or against somebody with a basic Judo or BJJ background. Again, Aikido doesn't take into account that most of the time Uke is not going to be co-operating, and quite the oppsoite, he'll be fiercely resisting. Cheers!

Nick You seem like a very nice guy so please dont take this the wrong way but when they started showing me this stuff 30 years ago I said to myself what the f-_____. this will never work.

Fake