Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido

This book is the most extraordinary -- and helpful -- Aikido book I've ever read.I'd never before considered that strikes themselves could be an expression of Aiki, or how powerful they could be within an Aikido framework. Reading this has altered not only my whole approach to studying Aikido but the way I practice my sword art, as well.To convincingly teach atemi, this book takes you on a small tour of the very heart and guts of Aikido. Many of the most valuable things I learned had little or nothing to do with atemi at all.I have exactly one little quibble. Von Krenner sensei several times speaks in a horrified tone of Aikido dojos that don't even teach their students how to strike, when Aikido was once known for it's powerful strikes. Well, this book gives you a beautiful primer on when to strike, what direction to strike, where to strike, and why to strike. He even includes a section on inner strength with exercises that he promises will even make strikes stronger.He just doesn't ever actually teach you HOW to strike.Particularly not how to strike while retaining a body that is totally relaxed yet expansive, a philosophy totally foreign to most striking arts out there.But still, it's a good book if my only complaint is that there wasn't more of it.I'll be waiting for the next book by this duo with baited breath.

I found this book to be very interesting. It puts a very real picture of the striking aspect of Aikido. Most Aikido instructors, do not teach the strikes, as they used to years ago. This falls back to the days of Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu. The strike was always taught as a follow up, after your technique was completed, to keep your attacker down, or in some cases, terminate. Sensei Von Krenner, explains and explores these sometimes, lost parts of the art. This is a very good book for anyone wanting to learn the Jujutsu arts. And as an entertainment note, when you see Steven Seagal using his Aikido in movies, remember, a lot of what you see is the Pre-WWII, type of Aikido that was taught by O' Sensei Ueshiba, the founder of the art. He changed many of the techniques after the war, as did the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano. They both took out the most violent aspects so both would be more acceptable to the Western World. The whole subject of the how's and why's, are really fascinating if you are interested. This book is Excellent as a tour guide to a very effective art.

It must be understood that this book is NOT for the Aikido beginner nor for someone who is new to the martial arts. The target audience is for an experienced practitioner of Aikido, period! Wanting to start a new journey I've only been involved in Aikido for three months, but I've been a practioner of the martial arts for over 25 years and a formally trained historian; thus I had somewhat of an advantage in reading this book. But even with my experience, it was clear to me that I should be reading this book after at least a year with Aikido training. Overall good book.

I'm not done reading the book - however, it has the information I was hoping to explore. It reviews the basic strikes along with their best practices and common errors and incorporates them into the primary techniques. While there are some step-by-step technique explanation, I took them to be more of a guideline explaining where the strikes can be and what response I should hope to get. It feel like more theory than practice - but that is exactly what I wanted.

Excellent topic and on target simple writing style keeps it clear and concisevery informativeWritten with first hand knowledge of what o sensei taughtHow many people are alive now that we're there with the founder of aikido??

Brings up some good points on a part of Aikido not usually discussed. Doesn't concern technique as much as it does philosophy.

I like the content of the book, but unfortunately the book looked like it had been through a lot to reach me. The ends were bent and the backbone of the book was torn at the bottom. Definitely did not look as new as stated.

This book is very well written, and for a beginner or advanced student provide some insight that is often overlooked. Great purchase.

I' ve found this book very usefull for me, as Aikido Instructor. But I'm still a student and I appreciate very much this study material.I've practised Aikikai, Yoshinkan, Yoseikan and Tomiki Ryu Aikido.I always have the chance to work Aikido Atemi Waza. A very different way of Atemi Waza than that of the Art of Karatedo.Of course there always some conecctions but the purpose and aim it's completly different.I sincerely advise this book for all Aikidokas.Sometimes I've heard: "there is no Atemi in Aikido". Tamura Nobuyoshi Sensei, once said: "the one who says that, know nothing about Aikido".A very goed book to read carefully and to study in applications Oyo Waza, introducing the training through Kihon Waza.

Gutes Buch über ein Thema, das in Aikidokreisen leider zu oft einfach negiert wird.In meinem Stil (Iwama Takemusu Aikido) gehört Atemi noch zum täglichen Brot.Wobei ich gerne zugebe, dass Von Krenner hier noch einiges an Wissen draufsetzt.Was mir auch besonders gefällt ist, dass nicht nur verschiedene Atemi in detailiertenBildern und Erklärungen gezeigt werden, sondern auch historisches und Philosophieüber Aikido und Budo im allgemeinen.Ich kann es guten Gewissens weiterempfehlen.Christian Taschner 5. Dan Takemusu Aikido,Dojoleiter in der Nähe von München

Buch ist schon ok, ... hat aber meinerseits nicht wirklich neue Punkte gebracht. Die Atemi kann man mit eine bisschen Kentnisse und Intersse an Kampfkunst schon selber "entdecken". Aber gut zu sehen das diesem Punkt im Aikido auch mehr Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet wird. Es hilft auf jedenfall die Entwicklung und das Potenzial dieser Kampfkunst zu begreifen und nachzuvollziehen. Für Praktizierende kann es neue Perspektiven aufzeigen und mit eigenem Nachforschen auf jedenfall ein kompletteres Bild vom Aikido verschaffen. Vorallem wie Ushiba mit Aikido ein so repektierter und hochgeachteter Kampfkünstler sein konnte. Das ist ja für viele in der heutigen Zeit nicht verständlich.Ein wichtiger Punkt im Aikido wird hier solide und nachvollziebar behandelt. Wer sich für das Thema interessiert ist mit dem Buch gut beraten.WICHTIG: Der Kommentar spiegelt meine eigene bescheidene und logischerweise beschränkte Sichtweise wieder.

Un libro che esce dai soliti schemi, che in realtà sono errati. Secondo me la lettura per comprenderla a pieno devi essere un praticante perchè ci sono molte diciture tecniche!

O autor também ilustra o livro com boas fotos coloridas, para exemplificar as diversas situações com o adversário em confronto ou ataques diversos.