The best Aikidoists go with the flow. In Aikido, to go with the flow is referred to as ki no nagare (氣の流れ) or “the flow of ki.” To be able to go with the flow is to be able to observe a system and step into its natural rhythm. To go with the flow never means to push or force something in any way.
Each of us has a natural rhythm or timing. Everything we do, from grabbing to striking all the way down to breathing has a natural rhythm or timing. The more we practice, the more the rhythm of something is revealed to us. Once we can see the timing or rhythm, we try and as Furuya Sensei used to say, “break the timing.” Basically, to break the timing in Aikido means that we make the person lose their focus for just a moment which causes them to lose their balance. Aikidoists typically don’t mechanically break their opponent’s balance like in Judo. To break an opponent’s balance mechanically is deemed too juvenile. Aikido is more sophisticated and thus we “take” our opponent’s balance. “Take” is the operant word which implies that we do it by exploiting the exact right moment in their timing and/or reaction. This is the secret as to how Aikido “works.”
The easiest way to understand this is when we take the stairs. Have you ever been walking up or down a flight of stairs and lost your step? No one tripped you and nothing was in your way, but you still somehow lost your step and stumbled. What happened is that your conscious mind interfered with a subconscious task which made you lose the rhythm of your step, lose your focus, and that caused you to lose your balance. Most of us don’t fall down, but we do lose our balance even if it was just for a moment (and hopefully no one saw us). This momentary loss of concentration is what happens when our timing is broken.
In Aikido, if there is no real attack or an attack without purpose, then there is no real flow to get into. Aikido is not professional wrestling with no real attacks and only set-ups to create techniques or throws for show. Aikido is very sophisticated. What makes it sophisticated is that everything is done with the natural movements of the body. The main Aikido joint locks all go with the joint instead of against them and we catch the opponent’s timing to create throws. That is why most throws are considered kokyu-nage. Kokyu (呼吸) means “breathing” but it also means “to synchronize one’s breathing” or in other words “to go with someone’s flow.” Interestingly, all joint locks and pins are supposed to become throws at some point. They can only become throws when we observe and then exploit the timing or rhythm of the technique or attack.
Going with the flow seems all New Agey but it is really the highest form of consciousness. The Chinese call this wu wei (無為) or “inaction.” The Japanese term could be mu (無) or “nothingness.” However, it is not nothing that we are trying to achieve. The place we are all trying to get to in Aikido and in life is a place where we don’t force anything but still reap all the benefits. We can only do that if we learn to observe and go with the natural flow of things. This is why the best Aikidoist go with the flow.
Today’s goal: Don’t force anything. Ask yourself, “How can I flow with this?”
Watch this video by Alan Watts to better understand going with the flow.