“It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the
alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence.” - B.K.S Iyengar
The best Aikidoists create alignment. In Aikido, there is no collision or any type of force-on-force confrontation.
When we talk about the word ai (合) in Aikido, we usually translate it to mean “harmony.” The dictionary defines ai as “fit” or “to join.” Understanding this definition paints a picture of two things coming together smoothly which people interpret as “harmony.” However, this overly simplistic word becomes more abstract than practical. One word Furuya Sensei would often use instead of harmony was “alignment.” He would often admonish us by saying, “Align your body to line up with the other person’s power.”
Using the word alignment gives us something more physical rather than metaphysical to strive towards. To align our bodies with our opponent’s we must move into their attack regardless if it is a grab or a strike. By moving in and aligning our bodies, it changes the orientation of power which enables us to use it for our own purposes. Not only does alignment allow us to use their power, but it enables us to “see” what they see. At this point, this is where it gets a bit metaphysical or new agey. When we can see what they see, then we can understand where they are coming from or what their motives are. This is where this idea of “harmony” comes from because aligning with them helps us to humanize them. When we can humanize someone, then we no longer see them as a threat but as a person who is acting out their suffering. From this place, we can begin to realize O’Sensei’s understanding of the Indian philosophy of ahimsa or “non-violence.”
In class, we should give our partners a good attack. A good attack has energy. A good attack teaches our partner how to properly align their bodies. A bad attack has no real energy or threat and can lull us into a false sense of reality. A good attack forces our partner out of their comfort zone and is helpful because we know that change can only occur outside of our comfort zones. We push our partners to go just a bit farther than they are capable of not to be a jerk but in the spirit of helping them improve. In order to give a good attack, we have to be not only self-aware, but we also be mindful of the other person.
Miyamoto Musashi’s first principle in his Dokkodo or the supposed 21 rules he lived by was “Accept things as they are.” Thinking about this, the first rule in creating alignment might possibly be “don’t resist.” To resist something, we must move or stand “against” it. To align something, we must move “with” it. To accept something is to align with its power. When we can align with it, we can redirect it and use it as our own.
Carl Jung said, “What you resist persists.” In Aikido and in life, if want to change that which confronts us, we must first accept it and then align with it. The true power of Aikido comes from non-resistance and that can only begin with alignment.
Today’s goal: Change your circumstance by aligning with it and going with the flow.
Watch this video to better understand how what we resist, persists.