JEKIPEDIA - a glance into my world

here’s article about comparing BJJ and Aikido.

At first glance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and those of Aikido may seem worlds apart. However, upon closer inspection one finds that there may be as many similarities as differences. In fact, the Aikido’s roots trace back to Jiu Jitsu in Japan. Morihei Uyeshiba, the founder of Aikido, was a long-time practitioner of Judo whose throws, chokes and joint locks are similar to if not the same as those used in Jiu Jitsu.

Similarities – The Goal is Control

Many of the submission techniques applied in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) are based on the same principles as Aikido, which are to apply force to tendons, ligaments, or joints in such as way that pain results. The while the application within each of the arts is different, the goal of both arts is the same – control of the opponent. The BJJ practitioner achieves a successful outcome through the accumulation of points with throws, superior position, or the ultimate submission of the opponent by “tap out”. In Aikido the joint locks or throws are used to achieve control by bringing the opponent (uke) to the ground neutralizing the attack. If we use the arm bar submission technique of BJJ and compare it to the Aikido technique of “kote gaeshi” (pronounced “kho-tay guy-she”) or reverse wrist takedown, we see that they each result in pain. The arm bar causes hyperextension of the elbow joint causing the stretch receptor to signal pain (resulting in a “tap out”) and “kote gaeshi” stretches the tendons and ligaments of the wrist causing the person to move downward (the path of least resistance and least pain). The techniques are as different in appearance as night and day but they are built on the same principle – pain generated by hyperextension or flexion in the joint has an effect that produces control.

Similarities and Differences- Use of Throws

Another area of similarity is use of certain hip throws (called “koshi nage”) in both arts. Aikido practitioners tend to favor a simple hip throw, whereas many Jiu Jitsu practitioners use a wide range of Judo throws from the popular “uchi mata” (inner thigh throw) to leg hooking throws such as “ko soto gari” (small outside reaping throw) to single and double leg takedowns (popular in wrestling). A variety of momentum throws, called “kokyu nage” (breath throws) are also widely used in Aikido.

Differences – Focus of Intent

While both arts have self-defense applications, Aikido is purely defensive and relies on the blending or harmonizing with and controlling the force of the attack (punch, kick, grab) and then neutralizing it with a pin. In Aikido there are no tournaments, which pit one person against another in a match. Advancement is achieved through a testing process with predefined elements. As mentioned above, Jiu Jitsu, as in Judo and wrestling, pits one individual against another in a timed match or tournament. Points are accumulated and the ultimate goal is submission often through one of many arm / leg locks or chokes. The opponent signals submission by tapping out. Success in Jiu Jitsu demands intense training to develop speed, agility and flexibility in addition to superior technique. While similar physical conditioning is encouraged in Aikido, the lack of competition makes it somewhat less imperative. Meditation and relaxation techniques form an important part of the training in many Aikido schools because relaxation is a central focus in the execution of techniques.

Despite the many obvious differences in application and training, Aikido and Jiu Jitsu posses similarities from their roots to the execution of many techniques. Both are excellent choices for those interested in martial arts and each has virtues that can provide benefit.

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2nd part

We continue our examination of the similarities or differences between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and those of Aikido. As stated in the previous article, the most obvious similarity is that both BJJ and Aikido are Martial Arts and are suitable for individuals interested in learning self-defense.

The key concepts of balance in this article include:
- Being in balance is being centered.
- Balance promotes power.
- Balance promotes accuracy.

The concept of balance is central to most sport, including martial arts, because it is the source of power. While a football quarterback can loft a touchdown pass while off balance and on the run, both distance and accuracy are diminished when compared to a situation where he is balanced, with target in sight. Similarly, a boxer can only deliver a blow with the greatest force and accuracy (a knockout punch) if he is fully in balance, which permits optimum weight transfer. Punching power is considerably reduced if he is trying to deliver a blow while back-pedaling. Finally, none of us would argue that balance plays an essential role in Artistic Gymnastics. Everything from Parallel Bars, to Floor Exercise is scored on the basis of body position during the routine and particularly at dismount. Any loss of balance will have major consequences when the score is tallied.

The four basic principles of Aikido, Keep One Point (center), Relax Completely, Weight Underside, and Extend Ki (energy), can only exist if the practitioner is in balance. This is essential for the fluid, efficient movement and application of technique. Although the techniques are not the same, this principle holds true in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Proper balance is critical to the execution as well as the defense of jiu Jitsu techniques. For example, it is much easier to execute a single-leg takedown on an opponent that is already leaning backward and trying to regain balance. By the same token, power and accuracy are adversely affected if you are not fully in balance – coiled and ready to spring.

The Aikido technique known as Iriminage appears to an outside observer as a technique which “clotheslines” uke (the attacker) has he crashes into the arm of nage (the defender). In reality, nage actually creates a mismatch causing the upper body to move slower than the lower body resulting in loss of balance. The “clothesline” effect is simply a follow through as the arm and body – as one unit – create the downward force leading the unbalanced opponent to the ground. Failure to create this mismatch results in uke remaining in balance, still in control and a much more difficult to throw.

The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu artist knows all too well that balance can be unsettled even if in full mount by a skillful shift of weight of their opponent resulting in a sweep or even a full reversal. BJJ practitioners depend on the sprawl (a fundamental wrestling technique), which drops the body to the floor and creates a center of gravity low enough to thwart a single or double leg takedown.

In conclusion, we acknowledge that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques are obviously different than those of Aikido yet, the concept of balance play a critical role in both. A person in balance is centered, which is the source of both power, and accuracy. This is but one example of a thread that joins not only these arts, but also seemingly unrelated sports such as football, gymnastics, and boxing.

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