Understanding Kamae in Yoshinkan Aikido

Yoshinkan Aikido, a style of Aikido that developed after World War II, is often referred to as the "hard" style due to the rigorous training methods it employs. 

One of the fundamental aspects of Yoshinkan Aikido is the concept of Kamae, a term that translates to "posture" or "stance" in Japanese. 

What is Kamae?

Kamae is a term used in martial arts and traditional theatre to describe the posture or stance of the body. It is not just about the physical positioning of the body but also encompasses one's mental readiness or attitude. 

In Aikido, Kamae is a basic stance that aligns the body's three centers of gravity on a vertical axis of gravity. These three centers include the head, the spinal column, and the lower abdomen. 

This alignment allows for a balanced stance, regardless of the positioning of one's feet, and enables one to move freely in any desired direction. 

Kamae in Yoshinkan Aikido

In Yoshinkan Aikido, Kamae plays a crucial role. The Yoshinkan style places heavy emphasis on stance and basic movements. 

The distinctive stance, or Kamae, in Yoshinkan Aikido stresses the position of the feet and hips. Practitioners stand with their hips and shoulders square to the front, the front foot pointing outward, and the back foot pointing about 90 degrees to the front foot. 

Kamae is the foundation of all Yoshinkan Aikido techniques. Practitioners strive to perfect their Kamae to strengthen their overall technique. 

Along with Kamae, there are six basic movements, or Kihon Dosa, which are considered central to the 150 basic techniques in Yoshinkan Aikido. 

These movements are practiced diligently to understand how to move their Kamae around to put themselves in a strong position. Without proper form in one's basic movements, one's Aikido will not be as effective.

The Importance of Kamae

Kamae is not just about the physical positioning of the body but also encompasses one's mental readiness or attitude. 

In Yoshinkan Aikido, Kamae not only provides a strong base for executing techniques but also serves as a protective barrier, creating a space or Ma-ai around the practitioner that can deter potential attacks.

Moreover, Kamae in Yoshinkan Aikido is not static. Correct posture should not be lost while moving. Therefore, good movement should not be far from Kamae at any time. If you are having problems with a technique, try to break it down into moving from Kamae to Kamae. This should help to fix many problems. 

How to Perform Kamae

Kamae is a fundamental aspect of Yoshinkan Aikido. 

It is the basic stance that aligns the body's three centers of gravity on a vertical axis of gravity. These three centers include the head, the spinal column, and the lower abdomen. 

This alignment allows for a balanced stance, regardless of the positioning of one's feet, and enables one to move freely in any desired direction. 

1. Stand Up Straight: The first step in performing Kamae is to stand up straight. Your shoulders should be down and back, and your back should be straight. This creates a strong and stable base for your stance.

2. Align Your Hips and Shoulders: The next step is to align your hips and shoulders. Your hips and shoulders should be square to the front. This means they should be perpendicular to your front foot.

3. Position Your Feet: The front foot should point outward, and the back foot should point about 90 degrees to the front foot. This creates a stable base for your stance and allows you to move freely in any direction.

4. Relax and Balance: Finally, relax and balance your body. Your balance should be centered in your big toe, which is something Shioda mentions in Aikido Shugyo, but it's difficult to feel normally. This will not only help you maintain your Kamae but also provide you with a strong base for executing techniques.

Common Mistakes in Kamae

The common mistakes in Kamae, or the basic stance in Yoshinkan Aikido, often revolve around the positioning of the body and the lack of proper alignment.

1. Not Keeping Your Shoulders Down and Back: One common mistake is not keeping your shoulders down and back. This can weaken your stance and make it difficult for you to maintain balance and stability.

2. Not Aligning Your Hips and Shoulders Properly: Another common mistake is not aligning your hips and shoulders properly. This can disrupt your balance and make it difficult for you to move freely in any direction. 

3. Not Positioning Your Feet Correctly: A third common mistake is not positioning your feet correctly. The front foot should point outward, and the back foot should point about 90 degrees to the front foot. Failing to do this can disrupt your balance and make it difficult for you to maintain your stance.

4. Not Relaxing and Balancing Your Body: The final common mistake is not relaxing and balancing your body. Relaxation and balance are key to maintaining your Kamae and providing you with a strong base for executing techniques.

By understanding the proper way to perform Kamae and avoiding common mistakes, you can improve your Aikido technique and better protect yourself during practice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kamae in Yoshinkan Aikido is a fundamental aspect of the martial art that plays a crucial role in executing techniques and protecting the practitioner. 

It is not just about the physical positioning of the body but also encompasses one's mental readiness or attitude. By perfecting their Kamae, practitioners can strengthen their overall technique and effectively defend themselves in Aikido practice.