On Day 3 of a 26 day aikido training intensive, participant Romain Samygin cultivates an ability to meet a perceived threat with open, non-judgmental interest as expressed through a handshake, even when grabbed. He also receives instruction on the necessity to maintain authentic attack energy through the entire interaction. The "handshake feeling" is accomplished by reframing the conflict into a situation in which we respect our attacker's expressing need to connect and are interested in his recovery from this lack. It is as simple as sincerely wanting to meet someone so that in the handshake is the communication of your intention that end of the event will be beneficial to all. When the aikido practitioner can maintain the handshake feeling to his partner while being grabbed, pushed or struck, the force of the attack will turn the centers of both uke and nage. Uke's energy field flows without opposition but in connection with the field generated from nage as they turn together. Uke has extended outside his range and is off balance but doesn't feel it because the movements and ki connection of nage. From a non-technique practice perspective it is imperative that uke maintain authentic attack energy, if at intensities reduced for safety. The intention of the attack is an imposed connection to the center of the nage with the intention to pierce, sever or control the central core. This helps nage learn where he is obstructing the attack or withdrawing support.

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