The notion that Aikido striking is limited to Shomenuchi, Yokmenuchi and tsuki is ludicrous. Great people like this are having an open discussion about this. we dropped the "traditional" striking and replaced it with a variety of "real life" strike, and its amazing how it changes the approach to training and makes you realise which techniques are 'reliable" and which are merely waza that demonstrate a biomechanical or spacial/timing principle. Great pod guys
Great discussion. Really good to hear different approaches. I wish the discussion went into the importance of striking to close distance. Another benefit of learning striking is to learn to close distance. It gives you ways to interact with strikers besides trying to grab a wrist.
Striking to create an opening to close distance is very useful, one could even say critical. I think aikido is about closing distance, so having a way to do it safely that is reliable makes aikido more complete. Older pugilism used a variety of strikes to targets which are not part of modern boxing, arms and such, to create those entry opportunities. Thanks for the comment and a great point!
About the link between Aikido and boxing you should tcheck Yoshio Kuroiwa, he was a semi-professional boxer who used to get in street fights and then started aikido. Look for the friendship demonstrations part 4 I believe, it is very interesting!
