Subject: Aikido & Skiing
From: dbarnard@ix.netcom.com (Doug Barnard)
Has anyone out there seen a relationship between aikido and skiing, especially telemark?
For those not in the know, the martial art of aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba in the 1930’s. Though barely 5 feet tall, he was widely considered one of the strongest men in Japan and invincible as a martial artist. Aikido is distinguished by its flowing forms and fluid movements.
This comes from a conversation that I had with my telemark instructor at Alpine Skills International, Peter Leh. As it turns out, he’s a shodan (1st degree black belt).
I had first noticed that the “neutral” position (not turning) is pretty much good old hanmi (basic stance). As the turn is initiated, it feels very much like the “drop” involved at the beginning of morote-dori kokyu-nage (a basic throw); everything getting low so that nage (the person performing the technique) is in a powerful position and uke (the person receiving) is off-balance. In skiing, this begins to carve the skis. As the turn progresses, it is a similar feeling to the “entering” of basic irimi. The “rootedness” that makes for a powerful throw makes for good
turns, as well. This makes sense in that an upright, off-balance nage will probaly fall as soon as an upright, off-balance skier.
Just before the end of the turn, the hands are brought into a kokyu position, albeit somewhat wider, in preparation for the next pole plant and subsequent turn. This position also seems quite remeniscent of the ending position of irimi nage.
Now I’m not the kind of guy to wear my gi out on the slopes, nor am I advocating the toque and knickers as proper dojo attire!=8^) I’ve just found that these two activities bear a good deal of likenesses. Aikido has really strengthened my skiing, especially in the bumps.
BTW, my cross-country ski pole is exactly the same length as my jo (a short wooden staff). Think anyone is going to try to cut me off in lift line? Let ’em try!=8^)
– —
Doug Barnard =8^o “Is time long…
purveyor of fine Virtual Acreage or is it wide?”
Visualization in 2D/3D/4D
