Aikido - Shioda Gozo's Bullshido
Channel: MAKinVidz
Date: 2014-05-28

A vivid illustration of a psychosocial problematic sometimes encountered in traditional martial arts practice. Shioda's terminology, "energy" and "power" is not used to refer to physical laws; and neither to abstract concepts being part of fighting models (like ki/chi may be). Instead Shioda uses it as a means to mystify himself and aikido. Shioda's partners are showing confusion between respect and submission. They are frozen in their movements. They demonstrate extreme suggestibility & learnt helplessness and will voluntary throw themselves around in the absence of threat. The master has failed to establish methods to ensure realism and a training environment conducive to psychological well-being. By failing to question the efficiency of such techniques, by failing to train with aliveness and controlled resistance, they reinforce the master's delusions and ego.

Perhaps Shioda let himself get carried away by his perception of a need to impress for this demonstration. But what is shown cannot truthfully be called "martial art".