Arizona Ki Society

Ki Aikido - Scottsdale

The only school in Arizona recognized by the International Ki Society

MARCH 2024 BLOG
AIGING WITH DIGNITY & SAFETY


1. Have your partner lean on the wall with their shoulder. Standing to the side (with one hand behind their back for safety reasons) push their shoulder to the rear. NEXT: Do the same test but this time have them THINK I am holding up the wall, not the wall holding me.

2. Standing beside your partner while holding (not pushing) their shoulder have them walk forward. NEXT: Do the same test but this time have them raise & lower their feet in order to walk forward (not push forward the way they normally do.

3. This way of walking GREATLY reduces the chance of falling, especially when it is dark or slippery.

4. If you are walking & someone calls your name do NOT Turn your head while continuing to walk. If you do this your body is going one way while your mind is going in a different direction. Instead stop, turn around and speak to them. After the conversation turn back around (facing the direction you plan to go in)  and walk forward while moving your feet/legs in an up & down motion (NOT pushing forward the way we have a tendency to do).

5. It is also beneficial to raise your knees up and down for about 10 steps with each leg while walking (this could be done while walking around your house). Should you need to go up steps your body is used to such motions. NOTE: Strange motions have a tendency to disturb our balance.

6. Standing up & sitting down. We have a tendency to "flop" down into a chair. This is OK  if the chair is cushioned. Not so pleasant if it is a hardwood chair. INSTEAD place your ankles close to the chair and then sit down. Because you are marinating your balance you are controlling the sitting motion in a safe manner. When standing have your feet in the same position (heels close to the chair) sort of bounce down and then stand. This is both safe & pleasant.



 BASIC SELF DEFENSE FOR ANYONE


1. HELD (CHOKED) BY THE NECK: Your partner holds your neck strongly. Touch the inside of his wrists with the web of your hands, your thumbs and fingers lightly also touching. Do NOT try to push your partner away from you, instead simply allow your arms to open up in a forward (not sideways) motion. If you move yourself (not trying to move your partner) it is amazing how easy it is to move him away from you. Once he is away from you catch his left wrist with your LEFT hand. Turn your body toward him, facing his shoulder (shoulder in front of you, NOT his chest). - push his shoulder sideways. Do this CAREFULLY as he will lose balance.

2. SHOULDER GRAB FROM BEHIND: If someone grabs your shoulder from behind (arms wrapped around you)  it is difficult to move your shoulders. NOTE: He is holding your shoulders, not your hips. Move your hips to the side & using all your strength hit him in the groin as hard as you can. If you move your hips to the left strike with your right arm/fist. 

3. ARM GRAB FROM THE FRONT: If the bad guy grabs your (for example) right arm with his right hand (cross hand grab) step beside him (to his right side) turn and face his shoulder (if he is facing North you will be facing East) and push him sideways. Practice this slowly as the one you push instantly loses his balance.

4. If he grabs your left arm with his right hand (for example) step to his right side and bring your right arm  straight up and (using the web between your thumb and fore finger) strike him in the "adams apple" as hard as you can. This will NOT cause permanent injury but it will take 1/3 minutes for him to gain control of his breathing. 

5. Always (repeat always) practice slowly and gently so that you do NOT injure your partner!


THE END