Kihon Waza, or “basic techniques,” are ideal tactical architectures through which a student comes to develop several elements central to Aikido practice.  Aside from conditioning the body and working toward gaining the tools necessary for more advanced training, Kihon Waza introduce the student to Aikido’s key strategic considerations. Wrist grabs, in this case Katate-dori, cultivate a sense of Maai, or “correct temporal and spatial relationships,” along the homo-lateral plane.  Soto-based responses correspond directly to the tactical redundancy one is seeking to achieve by coordinating one’s Angle of Deflection with one’s Angle of Deviation.  Hence, soto-based movements are very much akin to things like inward parries, etc.  Kaiten Nage are explorations in transferring a given inertia along a curvilinear path of action.  As with all Aikido waza, continuous motion is a necessity in Kaiten Nage.  The dynamism that develops from such training is then applied to striking techniques, pinning techniques, choking techniques, etc.  The traditional tools of Kihon Waza, Katate-dori, and Nage Waza, do not make up a scenario-based training, such as exists at the heart of today’s “self-defense” industry.  Rather, these tools are concerned with tempering, honing, and sharpening the overall body-mind of the practitioner.  Once the body-mind has thus been cultivated, other pedagogical tools are used to bring spontaneity to one’s movement.  The result is a freedom of movement that is well grounded in correct form and detail. Uke: Anthony Rachelli - Ikkyu; Sean Sanders - Shodan. (2 minutes, 38 seconds)