Aikido in slow motion: Counter techniques, KAESHIWAZA, on SHIHONAGE, by Stefan Stenudd 

@bujin5455, I agree. As I say in the video description: "Kaeshiwaza is practiced to improve the aikido techniques so that counters become increasingly difficult." It needs to be experienced and trained.

@@StefanStenudd I didn't read your video description before posting, as I watched your video as a youtube short. But I just read your description, since you mentioned it. I think Kaeshiwaza is mostly a matter of kokyu ho. Though my understanding of kokyu ho is very different then what I see most dojos teaching. For me, kokyu ho is the study of identifying the line of ki between two haras, and then learning how to dominate that line. Basically all kokyu ho techniques are extensions of this idea. It's a specific form of masculine Aiki, a very yang (yo) form of blending. Whereas most Aikidoka focus on mastering the yin (in)/feminine form of Aiki (getting out of the way of energy (yin), verses changing the energy's path (yang)). In fact, most Aikidoka only understand Aiki from the feminine stand point, they don't realize that a masculine form even exists. O'Sensei started and ended every class with kokyu dosa, because masculine Aiki is the bed rock of Aikido, and kokyu dosa best exemplifies it in a way you can't ignore. When you're sitting on your legs, and uke's energy is bearing down on your pinned hands, you have to change the line of energy (yang), instead of changing yourself to the energy (yin). When you perform Ikkyo, for example, this technique is supposed to be executed with exactly the same masculine Aiki energy that you develop in kokyu dosa. Once you master this, you should be able to channel it through any technique, executed from any part of your body. Fundamentally when you do a reversal, it's not really a matter of timing, or exploitation of poor technique, it's a matter of superior kokyu. Between two people who actually understand Aikido, the person who has the deepest understanding of Aiki will ultimately express the technique.

@@bujin5455thank you for elaborating so generously on the subject. I have no doubt that if one is significantly superior in whatever way, the other will have trouble managing any technique as well as any counter. The joy in the practice is to help each other improve beyond previous shortcomings.

@@StefanStenudd yes, of course, the point of practice is to improve over time. Anyway, hopefully you found what I said to be constructive. Though it is difficult to explain principles like these through written communication (verses physically demonstrating it), so I have no idea if you followed my point, or if I sounded like a weirdo. I hope it was the former. Take care.

@@bujin5455it was definitely the former. I found your comment an interesting read. Thank you.

@ghettoent, if it made you laugh it just might be :)