1. Randori
To better serve the Aikido student who wishes to compete in a mixed martial arts contest, or who may face multiple attackers, there is a form of freestyle Aikido. It's called randori, and is not practiced in every dojo. While Aikido stresses the calm, certain moves of a tiger, freestyle Aikido is much more frantic. The Randori student will call upon all of his skills and must combine most of the moves he learned in Aikido to defeat the opponents.
2. Use It Wisely
Randori techniques teach the student to be in the right place at the right time, and apply just enough effort to accomplish the task of putting down the opponent. While the Aikido student can call upon every skill he knows to achieve this purpose, Randori teaches the student to only use the right amount of power, no more and no less.
3. Great Leaders
Irimi is a technique in the Randori tradition. Leaders learn the style of combat and develop personal relationships with students who choose to follow this path. Irimi techniques include relentless pursuit of correct thinking and attitude. The Aikido style of Irimi encourages teachers and leaders to remain centered themselves while they pass on their learning to students. The centered leader can move with decisive action. Irimi teaches leaders to move boldly or not move at all. Moves are not wasted when practicing Irimi. Only the necessary movements are required.
4. Move Quietly
Stealth is an important technique to learn for Aikido practitioners. Aikido aims to align the chi, or center of the spiritual body, with the physical placement of your hands, feet and torso. The unification of the mind and body in Aikido produces fluid movements meant to align one with the universe and provide a practical form of self-defense when needed. When the teachers and students of Aikido become one with the body, they have control over their actions and can practice Irimi with ease. The technique is especially effective for fending off multiple attackers, as students move out of the circle of harm.
5. The Black Belt
A leader proficient in Irimi is usually a black belt who has proven his self-discipline and technique over and over. The most important lesson in Aikido belt rankings is that the level is not something to show off or carry with pride. Learning and growing takes place internally in Aikido, and should be the primary focus of all students. External forms of accomplishment are not valued. As you begin to appreciate the value of the teachings, you will continue to train for your benefit, not to achieve status.
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