Aiki Secrets: Six Precepts and the Dynamic COB

Great Book! Although it is a definitive analysis (there are at least 2 more books to follow) what a helpful start. The need in any of the Aikido styles to immediately unbalance an opponent is done through "AiKi" something the founder never explained. It was left to Daito Ryu practitioners to pass on and for a very few of his original students to "discover". Thus we had Tohei and Tomiki try to explain it.However well they tried to explain it, students were left with a "what does it mean to extend Ki?" question. This book is an engineer's answer to that question, complete with exercises.

[...] Williams Dockery wrote a book that was desperately needed by the aikido world. Aikido, like many martial arts, has a mystery to it. This mystery can be part of the attraction for people in the first place. Some of the mystery is caused by the different cultures and languages that these arts were created in. Because English was not the language of instruction, there was usually something lost in translation, or the initial instructors weren't able to accurately describe what was actually occurring. Mr. Dockery has broken through some of language gap by describing the principles of aiki in terms of physics. I know, I know, I can hear the groaning now "ughhh... physics. I didn't understand that is high school, how can I understand it now." The book is well laid out to help with this, and it explains all the physics ideas used in term of aiki, so it anyone who studies an aiki art should relate to the descriptions. The first section of the book gives you background definitions, and puts them in terms of the human body. Since everyone has a human body, it is easily applicable. Then the book goes one to use these now understood definitions in what are called the Six Precepts. Each one sort of builds on the others to actually describe what is happening during aiki movements. It also uses well illustrated pictures for those of you like me that are visual learners. What was also helpful was the exercises that were presented in each section. They give you a way to test the ideas shown, and to practice the precept in order to improve that skill.Positive points for the book1. Simple language to describe the physics that are occuring2. Good illustrations to add to the description.3. Each section also give "exercises" or "practices" to apply the ideas just presented.4. Gives instructors of aiki the language to describe what is occurring, which should enhance learning by students.5. This book can be used by ALL martial artists, not just those in aikido.Negative Points of the book1. Not intended for the beginning student. But in fairness, Mr. Dockery does declare this in the beginning and repeats it often. You do need to have experience to be able to understand the aiki presented.If you'd like to hear the author in his own words, I conducted an interview with him on my podcast Martial Thoughts, which can be found on http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/martial-thoughts-episode-iv_10875

While the particular style of Aikido that I practice (Aikikai vs. Tomiki) is somewhat different in approach, the core components of the art that Mr. Dockery discusses in his new book apply equally. My journey as a student is in a similar place as that of the where the author was when he began his notes for this book, and I find that much of what he has to say resonates closely with my own findings. I've found many things here that I had not really thought about yet, and many that I may have touched on, but not to the depth of thought the author has lavished. His explorations and thoughts on what he observed are well worth reading, and taking onto the mat for your own exploration. Thank you Mr. Dockery, for sharing your notes and thoughts!

This is a really good book (though not perfect), that exposes one of the most mysterious concepts in martial arts. But to get the most out of it you must be a thinker, a person asking questions to your self and your sensei s? If you have some questions beyond the basic level, and want to reach a deeper understanding, and curious about what is the correct way, or what is the main mechanism or concept that makes it work, you may find many answers. The author does not claim to have the ultimate answers, but it provides the answers and comments of a long term practitioner that helps you deep thinker and make progress in your understanding.

interesting

how good this book is. I tried finishing it. I really, really tried. I tried linking what I read with the illustrations...again. All I can say is I tried. The writing veers between chatty to tedious, the illustrations are poorly rendered (sorry), and I simply couldn't "get" much of what the author was trying to put across. Perhaps it is one of those subjects that would best be illustrated utilizing a DVD of exercises and action sequences included with a main "primer."I even loaned this book to a friend of mine who is an engineer (as well as a high ranking practitioner of Aikido). He found the book tedious and hard to follow as well...although he did not doubt the authors sincerity of intent, he found the execution of the subject matter lacking in clarity.This is one of those times I am unsure how to rate a book. Perhaps I'll try rereading it a month from now and everything will fall into place. If that happens, I'll write a far more positive review.

Especially valuable for analytical types who need to understand the mechanics and to some extent the physics of aiki. However, often there is much said to explain a little. I think it would have been improved by more concise explanations with either photographs (instead of line illustrations) or more line illustrations of actual applications.

Very good book, but heavily theoretical and take significant work to understand how the practical applications function