Anyone who tells you that one form is inherently better than another is someone you should avoid training under. I'm better with a combination of hard and soft styles, so I take to Gojuryu like a duck to water. (Gojuryu means the art of hard and soft, and is derived directly from White Crane and Black Panther Gung Fus.) In any case, Aikido does take a long time, but like Tai Chi, I wouldn't want to fight anyone who was good in it. The balance that you gain from either one of those is very unfriendly to feel. (My sensei knocked my sorry rear across a room and into a wall of the dojo. My imprint is still there... and yes, I can still feel the bruise it left in numorous areas.)
I just like Iai because it focuses on quick draw and strike techniques, which in a real sword fight, is crucial. Those fights end within the first five seconds, and the one who can draw first is usually the winner.
~SR~ |
