| A basic precept of Aikido is that the physically weak | | | | body in-fact that it feels to us that we are not using |
| can overcome the strong, however does that mean | | | | any strength. |
| there is no place for physical strength in practise? | | | | Strength is not only related to muscles. Its a |
| For one thing, we all can accept that we are not | | | | combination of tendons, ligaments, bones, joints as well |
| masters by any stretch of the imagination and so we | | | | as muscles. It also relates to co-ordination and |
| will have to resort to strength during the early phases | | | | neuromuscular control within the kinetic chain. Using |
| of our training. In fact, enlightenment is quite a ways off | | | | strength benefits all these different tissues and |
| for most of us and we can expect that we will | | | | modalities and assists in providing a strong structure |
| continue to use strength until we reach a ripe age of | | | | which protects us from injury when falling or receiving |
| 60 or so. | | | | impact and places in good stead as we age and |
| Secondly, why not use strength while we are fit, | | | | become more fragile. |
| healthy and physically strong. If we are weak, it is an | | | | If we use O-Sensei, the founder of Aikido as an |
| opportunity to strengthen ourselves, and if we are | | | | example. In his youth he was physically strong, working |
| already strong, its a chance to refine our use of it. | | | | long hours on the farm pulling small trees out with his |
| Thirdly, Aikido is not magic. We do use muscles in our | | | | bare hands. As he became older his techniques |
| techniques. What differentiates us from say weight | | | | changed and became more flowing and gentle, |
| lifters or those working out in the gym is the emphasis | | | | however he had the physical foundation and |
| of compound movement. As we perform a lifting | | | | co-ordination to perform techniques at such a high |
| action we strive to use so many muscles, the entire | | | | level. |