The Top Ten Principles Of Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei - #5 Double Weighting
Since I first stated that the techniques taught at my school were based on principles, and that we focus more on understanding the principles that makes things work than the techniques themselves, people have e-mailed me asking me if I could explain these principles in more detail.
Unfortunately, trying to explain many of these principals in writing is very difficult, since many can’t be explained in words alone. However, I will try my best to describe these principles for the “blog” readers, using words, charts and pictures.
Keep in mind though, that in order to sometimes fully understand a principle you have to also understand other principles that relate to it. Most principles aren’t fully useable on their own, and have to be integrated with others.
Double Weighting, simply defined, is a state where one feels their limbs to be too heavy to move. A person is put in a position such that their body, or part of their body, feels rooted to the ground. Either they are unable to change their position without first readjusting or their entire mass is solely dependent on a specific limb for support.
In other words, the body, or part of the body, is manipulated into a position where it seems to become so heavy that the person is unable to move or adjust their position. Often the body is unable to maintain its own balance and must rely on an external force (normally the other person doing the technique) for stability.
In most Aiki, Jujutsu, and Judo arts double weighting is an essential step used to set up projections/throws.
A simple way to think of this principle is to imagine a man who weighs 200 pounds. If you cut him exactly in half, each half would weigh 100 pounds. In this case, both halves even each other out, and there is equilibrium. In this state the man has no problem changing body positions.
Now take that same man, and put a 100 pound dumbbell in his left hand. The left side of his body has essentially just doubled in weight. Every movement he makes will now require more effort, and for many physical actions he will have to make adjustments in order to maintain his stability—if he can move at all. He has essentially become “double weighted” on one side of his body.
Double weighting is used to manipulate stability in the same way judoka use their principle of “pushing and pulling” to place someone in an optimal position for a throw.
Consider the technique Osoto-gari (major outside reaping throw), for example. Osoto-gari is done by using a steering wheel-like motion with the hands to destabilize the uke, and then sweeping the foot from underneath him. When done properly the steering wheel motion of the hands places all the weight of the uke on the leg that is about to be swept.
In this example, the uke is “double weighted” since the majority of his weight is placed on one leg. He is “anchored” in that position until other forces push him back and down to the ground.
Of course applying the principle of Double Weighting isn’t limited to just using the uke’s weight against him. There are times when a person will use his or her own body weight and body position to add mass to the uke.
Understanding the principle of Double Weighting is one thing, applying it is another. It is not hard to do, but it requires practice and knowledge of how to lock up the skeletal frame.
For beginners, applying the “push and pull” principle of judo is the way to begin. Of course, as one’s techniques become more sophisticated—and one learns that there are specific reactions to every movement they make—other methods will present themselves.
The above statement in no way implies that I believe that the art of judo lacks sophistication. In fact, I have seen many senior judoka apply the principle of Double Weighting so flawlessly that their techniques appeared as soft and effortless as many techniques performed by Aki practitioners. Of course, these were judoka who had transcended from the “sporting” aspect of judo where many judoka rely on muscle, power, and speed, instead of technique and finesse.
Unfortunately, trying to explain many of these principals in writing is very difficult, since many can’t be explained in words alone. However, I will try my best to describe these principles for the “blog” readers, using words, charts and pictures.
Keep in mind though, that in order to sometimes fully understand a principle you have to also understand other principles that relate to it. Most principles aren’t fully useable on their own, and have to be integrated with others.
Double Weighting
Over the years I have heard other people describe this principle as “grounding,” “anchoring,” “basing,” and “rooting.” Though the names are different, for the most part the applications and effectiveness have been the same.Double Weighting, simply defined, is a state where one feels their limbs to be too heavy to move. A person is put in a position such that their body, or part of their body, feels rooted to the ground. Either they are unable to change their position without first readjusting or their entire mass is solely dependent on a specific limb for support.
In other words, the body, or part of the body, is manipulated into a position where it seems to become so heavy that the person is unable to move or adjust their position. Often the body is unable to maintain its own balance and must rely on an external force (normally the other person doing the technique) for stability.
In most Aiki, Jujutsu, and Judo arts double weighting is an essential step used to set up projections/throws.
A simple way to think of this principle is to imagine a man who weighs 200 pounds. If you cut him exactly in half, each half would weigh 100 pounds. In this case, both halves even each other out, and there is equilibrium. In this state the man has no problem changing body positions.
Now take that same man, and put a 100 pound dumbbell in his left hand. The left side of his body has essentially just doubled in weight. Every movement he makes will now require more effort, and for many physical actions he will have to make adjustments in order to maintain his stability—if he can move at all. He has essentially become “double weighted” on one side of his body.
Double weighting is used to manipulate stability in the same way judoka use their principle of “pushing and pulling” to place someone in an optimal position for a throw.
Consider the technique Osoto-gari (major outside reaping throw), for example. Osoto-gari is done by using a steering wheel-like motion with the hands to destabilize the uke, and then sweeping the foot from underneath him. When done properly the steering wheel motion of the hands places all the weight of the uke on the leg that is about to be swept.
In this example, the uke is “double weighted” since the majority of his weight is placed on one leg. He is “anchored” in that position until other forces push him back and down to the ground.
Of course applying the principle of Double Weighting isn’t limited to just using the uke’s weight against him. There are times when a person will use his or her own body weight and body position to add mass to the uke.
Example:
- The uke is pushed down so that his entire body weight is balanced on his toes. He is now “double weighted:” all his mass is pressed towards the toes. In addition. he also has the weight from the push adding more force to his centerline. In this position he is totally dependant on the tori for his stability. It is almost impossible for the uke to “right” himself and regain his balance, let alone launch a counter attack.
- The tori steps back and lets his right arm go completely dead. The tori’s left arm lifts and pushes the uke in a circular motion to the right. These motions lift the uke and force him to shift all his body weight to his left foot.
- As the uke places his weight completely on his left foot, he is now double weighted on that leg. Once again he is totally dependant on the tori for stability. His hold on the tori's arms are the only thing keeping him from falling.
- (Not pictured) From the position pictured in photo #3 it just takes a small body drop to project the uke to the ground.
Understanding the principle of Double Weighting is one thing, applying it is another. It is not hard to do, but it requires practice and knowledge of how to lock up the skeletal frame.
For beginners, applying the “push and pull” principle of judo is the way to begin. Of course, as one’s techniques become more sophisticated—and one learns that there are specific reactions to every movement they make—other methods will present themselves.
The above statement in no way implies that I believe that the art of judo lacks sophistication. In fact, I have seen many senior judoka apply the principle of Double Weighting so flawlessly that their techniques appeared as soft and effortless as many techniques performed by Aki practitioners. Of course, these were judoka who had transcended from the “sporting” aspect of judo where many judoka rely on muscle, power, and speed, instead of technique and finesse.
Labels: Essays, Principles, Technical
<< Home