Steve James wrote:Well, I don't argue about a person's personal practice. So, I'm not arguing for or against Rokas's pov. I mention mma because that's the thread title. I said I didn't understand the Need for such a comparison. In an mma contest, everybody's doing mma.
Afa "self defense" is concerned, there are too many variables to talk about styles. But, I think that some aikido practitioners can defend themselves "in general." It's the same when people debate whether a tcc practitioner can defend himself. Does someone need to modify tcc so that it's good for self-defense? The debate doesn't matter. In a given situation, either it works or not.
NOw, I do think that competition instills a confidence that doesn't exist without it. That's not to say that competition is necessary, only that the self-confidence that comes from it is a benefit. It's not that "mma" is the only or best form of competition. It's just the popular context today, in the same way that kickboxing was popular before.
As I mentioned Rokas is not making comparisons or "modifying aikido in order to compete at mma." If you replaced mma contest, sport stuff and comparison with practicing with aggressive pressure then commented on those statements, it would be more honest to what Rokas' POV, videos and his modernizing aikido are all about: pressure testing (e.g., drills, sparring), adjusting and making aikido more effective for self-defense:
But, entering open competitions is fine for youngsters.
But, practicing with aggressive pressure is fine for youngsters.
What's the point of comparing aikido to mma?
What's the point of practicing with aggressive pressure?
I don't understand why it's important to use it as an aikido v mma contest . . .
I don't understand why it's important to practice with aggressive pressure . . .
I think people take this sport stuff entirely too seriously.
I think people take this practicing with aggressive pressure entirely too seriously.
I said I didn't understand the Need for such a comparison.
I said I didn't understand the Need for practicing with aggressive pressure.
You may still agree with the above statements, which is fine (opinion). I am just trying to bring clarity to Rokas' journey.
marvin8 wrote:At 3:53 of the video I posted, Dan says peace, harmony and flowing when someone is coming at you with aggressive pressure is high level. But if one is not used to that aggressive pressure, one will tense up and lose any flow or aiki. To get to that high level, one must practice in aggressive pressure situations at times:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tugYPl7W9E&t=3m53s