roninku (August 19, 2008 at 11:32 pm)

greatblaise, I second what heyoka said. Taking ukemi is an intergral part of Aikido training, and boy is it not easy. If those guys did not fall with such grace they would in fact be on the way to the hospital. For most people, tripping or falling is a more likely event than getting attacked, so I think taking ukemi is really helpful and potentially more practical than actually "learning to fight".

heyoka (August 19, 2008 at 11:16 pm)

It is NOT that easy to make someone fall, generally. The partners are practicing "ukemi", or receiving technique. They go 'with' the direction that Segal is demanding so that they do not suffer injury and can quickly recover from the technique (get back on their feet). Hence the variety of 'pretty' rolls/breakfalls/etc. "Real Life" aikido looks blocky and would involve the sounds of snapping wrists/etc. (when you examine the techniques).

greatblaise (August 19, 2008 at 6:16 pm)

It's funny, I know it's real but those flips and falls look kinda fake. Almost like they are meaning to fall. This is just an observation mind you, can someone tell me why they are falling like that? Is it really that easy to make someone fall?

guerillajack (August 19, 2008 at 9:44 am)

1.23 to 1.24. Seagal. Running (5 steps). Not seen since Marked for death. I just got he Vern book and it is AWESOME.

OldAikiDog (August 18, 2008 at 11:19 pm)

roninku - Thanks for your kind remarks.When I got notice there was a response from this vid, I almost didn't open it because I thought it'd be another stupid response to a post that's long forgotten. I've used Aikido in fights & it's extremely effective & efficient at all distances. What happened when I was 35 was very different than what happened at 60. I'll contact you directly through your channel. Haters don't need to answer this because I will not respond & engage in pointless conversation.

roninku (August 18, 2008 at 8:38 pm)

Dear OldAikiDog, I was just reading through the comments here and find your to be very insightful. I have actually stopped trying to make intelligent comments in response to those who always want judge Aikido soley on the basis of what they see in a video. Why is it that so many people want to trash Aikido simply because it "looks fake"? I only have 3yrs of training and it is obvious to me that Aikido works! I could really use some intelligent discussion on Aikiod, not the tripe I get from trogs

SuubUrbanNinja (August 18, 2008 at 4:04 pm)

Not all the traditional arts . Some people won, some lost, I think what the UFC should was that it really depends on the indiviual not the art itself. And to be honest, very few of the fighters displayed what I would martial arts, most got in the ring with all types of ranks in different arts and then got in the ring and it looked like a regular brawl between two people with no martial arts experience.

DrGuntram (August 18, 2008 at 4:35 am)

Because it's a secret science of chi and far too dangerous to ever be used in a real competition. <-rofl.

SgtoSunshine (August 17, 2008 at 2:50 am)

I can see the logic in that, I mean it doesn't seem to me that aikido has any real counter measures if your opponent grabs your sleeve...and kind of drags you down also ._. or grapples you in general rather than going for a hit....? I dunno I'm a noob :u

sweetsweatyfeet (August 16, 2008 at 10:01 pm)

I thought that MMA already answered this question (the testing ground). In the early days of the UFC all the traditional pure form Asian MAs came forward and got their asses kicked by rough and tumble strikers, grapplers and BBJ practioners. If Aikido is effective why is no one in MMA doing it like Mr. Seagal here?