The Field of Play – the Stage of Battle

In this series of sessions which incorporate aikido, we will focus on three main aspects of training: individual, partner-related and group-related. Employing techniques derived from martial arts, we will redefine ourselves in practice in relation to our own bodies, our partners and our group.

Individual training: we will explore ourselves using internal martial arts. The starting point will be to face up to yourself and your limitations, both physical and mental. Individual training will also include teaching aikido falls, rolls and other movement techniques. 

Partner training: partner as an opponent. In classical theatre training the relationship with your partner is usually based on a sense of trust and security. In aikido you can engage with a partner who inspires distrust and at the same time ‘lends’ themselves, their body, so that you can progress and make discoveries. The partner can be both a friend and an opponent. Tori and uke. In the relationship with your partner, you always follow a scenario that is familiar to both of you, so in order to physically provoke a conflict situation, we need something to break up this safe space.

Group training: a group is a multiplicity of impulses and a fast-changing situation that calls for keen attention and perfect spatial awareness. Through group exercises and games, we will try to evoke the image of a ‘battlefield’ where you must act with the highest intensity at all levels at the same time, i.e. at the levels of individual involvement, complete commitment in the relationship with your partner, and perfect spatial and group awareness. In our sessions, we will use physical training and work with weapons such as jō (stick-spear), bokken (Japanese wooden sword) and tantō (wooden knife).