Uke - Friend or Foe
Through the martial arts we strive for the ultimate truth, enlightenment or personal goals. We seek equilibrium, tranquility and wisdom. We yearn to experience harmony, unity - the beauties of life. However, although all these things are active and dynamic, you can't "do" any of them, they are states. Through the practice of Budo we hope to acquire these states by understanding the principles.
So how does Budo really fit in, what are we doing in the dojo? May people see the martial arts as a way of keeping fit with the added bonus of learning self-defense. Off course the physical activity promotes fitness and one is only to familiar with that "end of session" sensation that the force of gravity has doubled ! However, as much as Budo has exercised and stretched the muscles, that pales in comparison to the extremes of the emotional spectrum that one travels through practicing the martial arts.
What we feel, our opinions and our attitudes make us the individual that we are. Being in touch with ourselves is a primary requisite it we are to relate to others and genuinely follow the Way of Kushin, Aiki (or as Shakespeare almost said - a mountain top by any other name still has a pretty good view!)
Ironically, forever analyzing oneself and searching inwardly tends to be unrewarding and frustrating. "Seek and you shall find!", it is through others that we learn to find ourselves. It is no cliche to say that those who give most of themselves gain the most from Budo.
The process begins the first time we step on the tatami. The first time we bow to a partner we are giving ourselves to them despite the fact we cannot even breakfall to save ourselves. Both Uke and Nage give all of the time, both roles carry a tremendous responsibility and reach deep down into the souls of those who practice bringing forth, via our emotions, the ultimate truth of who we really our. During training the individuals should have genuine desire to share and experience unity. If this desire is lacking in one partner training can prove to be a rather traumatic experience to the other. We meditate at the start of the session to liberate ourselves form the days trails and tribulations so that we may train with integrity.
As a Uke we may have felt a great "high" when we performed our first breakfall. This sense of achievement continuous as our breakfalls for example become more spectacular, giving rise to a tremendous sense of freedom as we literally fly through the air without fear of a painful landing. It is important to be able to trust Nage to have the compassion and perception to know if the movement is "right" to execute a full projection or whether it is better to hold back and let Uke take control of his own breakfall. A generous Nage will tune into his Uke's mood and rapidly assess how far to push them (generosity does not come with experience alone). It is this attitude that creates the atmosphere where growth and self-confidence can develop.
A selfish or ignorant Nage that ignores the fact that his partner is anxious or off form that day can leave his Uke feeling physically abused and emotionally battered. Trust is lost and self-confidence plummets.
Unfortunately people may be unaware they are doing this. It is easy to assume that one is alone in this feeling of utter violation though in time one understands that this is not really the case. So why does this problem occur? We put our faith in human nature to such a point ( and sometimes at the risk of sounding arrogant) that these people are treated as ignorant in that that they know no better. We trust that it is not their intention to "trash" their uke's but it is very difficult to say "for me that was a very horrendous experience, I feel used". Likewise Tori can on occasion feel that Uke is being deliberately difficult, yet how can he say, " Are you trying to help me or are you just showing me how strong you are?". Theoretically off course it is possible to say this to somebody of the same grade or below. In practice though people get upset and feel criticized, and become defensive of themselves and their teachers. The discipline of protocol prevents one from saying anything like this to a higher grade as it can be construed as showing disrespect and lack of humility.
A helpful Uke can enable his partner to develop the ability to read the energy flow of an opposing force and experience the exhilaration that occurs when two spirits merge. Only under a Sense's guidance should a Ku be anything than neutral. Very few can judge if resistance at any given time will be of any way constructive. If a technique isn't executed there is no blending and Age learns nothing (except maybe how not to be a Uke) and leaves the Dojo feeling useless and demoralized.
Budo is not self-defense, it is the preservation of life and those that need a "technique" to prove itself have lose sight of the fundamental principles and ethics of Bushido. By giving everything to enhance the Budo of our partners an atmosphere of creativity and light embraces all those who train within it. To remain calm when surrounded by aggression, to harmonize with opposition is not a natural ability, it has to be learnt and a dojo is supposed to be the place to learn it.
At its best a Dojo introduces us to ourselves. We recognize our faults and lessen them by developing our redeeming features. We become more positive in our dealing with life. We learn to like ourselves so others may love us, we learn to love our world so that it may thrive and prosper.
Unfortunately at it's worse a Dojo is an arena where the strongest "wins", until someone stronger still, comes along. Those left at the wayside feel inadequate and small, losing their confidence to face all that life may throw at them.
It is up to us to make our Dojo's great. Havens of peace where open hearts and minds can experience the pleasure of sharing the Way of Kyushin.
(Article edited from an essay from a former student)
"To spy through the keyhole only gives a limited view....."
Irimi nage | Ikkyo | Koshi waza | Aiki nage | Shiho nage