Aikidô training is usually centered on partner practice, in which stu-
dents alternate practicing the roles of uke(the attacker and the one who or-
dinarily takes a fall) and nage(the defender). Other aikidô training meth-
ods may include aiki taisô(specialized calisthenics for the application of
energy in the aikidô manner), weapon forms, sword and staff disarms and
sword and staff retention techniques, kokyu hô (“breath power exercise”)
breath and balance training, and a multiple-attacker exercise called randori.
In aikidô’s randori, a single nage uses aikidô protective strategy and
techniques against a number of attackers, who may or may not be limited
in the methods that they are allowed to employ against nage. Randori en-
courages versatile, decisive movement on nage’s part and rewards swift and
efficient unbalancing techniques rather than involved control holds or
throws. It is often a prominent feature of aikidô rank tests.14 Aikidô
An aikidô approach
to conflict begins
with searching for a
way to “blend with”
rather than oppose
aggressive action.
Here two men
practice aikidô.
(TempSport/
Corbis)