We continue our examination of the similarities or differences between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and those of Aikido. As stated in the previous article, the most obvious similarity is that both BJJ and Aikido are Martial Arts and are suitable for individuals interested in learning self-defense.

The key concepts of balance in this article include:
- Being in balance is being centered.
- Balance promotes power.
- Balance promotes accuracy.

The concept of balance is central to most sport, including martial arts, because it is the source of power. While a football quarterback can loft a touchdown pass while off balance and on the run, both distance and accuracy are diminished when compared to a situation where he is balanced, with target in sight. Similarly, a boxer can only deliver a blow with the greatest force and accuracy (a knockout punch) if he is fully in balance, which permits optimum weight transfer. Punching power is considerably reduced if he is trying to deliver a blow while back-pedaling. Finally, none of us would argue that balance plays an essential role in Artistic Gymnastics. Everything from Parallel Bars, to Floor Exercise is scored on the basis of body position during the routine and particularly at dismount. Any loss of balance will have major consequences when the score is tallied.

The four basic principles of Aikido, Keep One Point (center), Relax Completely, Weight Underside, and Extend Ki (energy), can only exist if the practitioner is in balance. This is essential for the fluid, efficient movement and application of technique. Although the techniques are not the same, this principle holds true in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Proper balance is critical to the execution as well as the defense of jiu Jitsu techniques. For example, it is much easier to execute a single-leg takedown on an opponent that is already leaning backward and trying to regain balance. By the same token, power and accuracy are adversely affected if you are not fully in balance – coiled and ready to spring.

The Aikido technique known as Iriminage appears to an outside observer as a technique which “clotheslines” uke (the attacker) has he crashes into the arm of nage (the defender). In reality, nage actually creates a mismatch causing the upper body to move slower than the lower body resulting in loss of balance. The “clothesline” effect is simply a follow through as the arm and body – as one unit – create the downward force leading the unbalanced opponent to the ground. Failure to create this mismatch results in uke remaining in balance, still in control and a much more difficult to throw.

The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu artist knows all too well that balance can be unsettled even if in full mount by a skillful shift of weight of their opponent resulting in a sweep or even a full reversal. BJJ practitioners depend on the sprawl (a fundamental wrestling technique), which drops the body to the floor and creates a center of gravity low enough to thwart a single or double leg takedown.

In conclusion, we acknowledge that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques are obviously different than those of Aikido yet, the concept of balance play a critical role in both. A person in balance is centered, which is the source of both power, and accuracy. This is but one example of a thread that joins not only these arts, but also seemingly unrelated sports such as football, gymnastics, and boxing.

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