WindWalker wrote:with my teacher and his group this is very basic and is taught very early on.
Agree, very basic. But this and similar exercises are good to find that connection, not only body, but also practicing connection mind/intent and body.
wayne hansen wrote:The aikido unbend able arm used with strength against strength and turn your body
Don't get what you see in it
I suppose you mean the clip I posted? Yes, I like it. This gent is an honest and generous teacher.
In general, I like basic instructional videos better than teachers showing off their skills without explanation. It's easy to see skill levels when people perform most basic skills. But many try to hide their lack of even the most basic skill by using class-room cooperative students or talking in riddles.
I wouldn't call it strength against strength, though it's certainly not totally effortless. But as the whole body works against a small local strength, very little effort is needed. A good, and sure, a basic way, to learn more about leverage and how to connect your body.
Aikido bendable arm? Are you sure you don't see more here? An Aikido bendable arm is an extremely limited trick, a stationary one-dimensional extension movement locked in one direction without the ability to change. If there's no supporting direction of movement and the potential to change is not there, I wouldn't call it Tai Chi. Or maybe just bad Tai Chi. This gent has more skill than showing of that kind of limited parlour tricks.