Aikido - Ma and Maai
Initial Steps in Aikido
Seventh Keiko
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間 - ma
In Japanese, the word ma means gap, space between things, room and interval. Even in our most basic training, we pay attention to the distance between us and our partner.
間合 - maai
Making adjustments and maintaining safe distance, is called maai. The ai in maai is the same ai as in aikido (合氣道), and it means to fit or to harmonize.
隙間 - sukima
An opening - a moment of lack of defence or lack of attention.
Maai between tori and uke is an important subject for our training. Already from our very first aikido class, we learn to recognize and to maintain correct maai. The term "maai" is originated in Japan's traditional martial arts. In the past, recognizing an opening in the opponent's defence or manipulating him in order to create such an opening was a matter of life or death. Such an opening sometimes lasts for a split of a second. It is an opportunity that is very easy to miss, usually due to thoughts in our mind, stiffness and lack of skill. In Japanese, this kind of opening is called sukima, and together with ma and maai, it is also an important term. Understanding the concepts of ma, maai and sukima, will accordingly bring to your techniques harmony and effectiveness.
When I lived in Kyoto, beside my aikido training, I also learned to play the shakuhachi, which is a traditional bamboo flute. When Kumoi sensei taught me to read the Japanese music notes, she asked me to pay attention to the ma -the moments of silence within the musical piece. She said, that the length of these quiet moment and the way they are harmonized in between the sounds, effects the audience's heart and bring life to the composition.
For me, the concept of ma is one of the most interesting concepts in Japanese culture. It appears in budo (Japanese traditional martial arts), in music, cooking, painting, design, social skills, health and so on. Being able to understand ma and to apply it, will change your tiring lecture into a fascinating speech. Those who understand ma are wonderful people to talk to. They balance well between listening to talking, they are wonderful partners for playing jazz, they are successful scheffs, and brilliant architects. In budo, those who understand ma, will have their movements and actions in the correct place and timing.
Ma appears also in painting. It is the white space which remains untouched. It harmonizes relaxation and attention.
In traditional Japanese medicine, physical and mental ma have great importance. The therapist of course cares for the patient, but he has to make sure that the patient feels as comfortable as possible by avoiding "trespassing" into his ma.
It is natural to also think of ma in relations to human relations... It can be crucial in our relationship with our dear ones. Loving and caring and yet, being able to leave our partners (and ourselves) with enough ma which they need for their comfort and development.
When I lived in Kyoto, beside my aikido training, I also learned to play the shakuhachi, which is a traditional bamboo flute. When Kumoi sensei taught me to read the Japanese music notes, she asked me to pay attention to the ma -the moments of silence within the musical piece. She said, that the length of these quiet moment and the way they are harmonized in between the sounds, effects the audience's heart and bring life to the composition.
For me, the concept of ma is one of the most interesting concepts in Japanese culture. It appears in budo (Japanese traditional martial arts), in music, cooking, painting, design, social skills, health and so on. Being able to understand ma and to apply it, will change your tiring lecture into a fascinating speech. Those who understand ma are wonderful people to talk to. They balance well between listening to talking, they are wonderful partners for playing jazz, they are successful scheffs, and brilliant architects. In budo, those who understand ma, will have their movements and actions in the correct place and timing.
Ma appears also in painting. It is the white space which remains untouched. It harmonizes relaxation and attention.
In traditional Japanese medicine, physical and mental ma have great importance. The therapist of course cares for the patient, but he has to make sure that the patient feels as comfortable as possible by avoiding "trespassing" into his ma.
It is natural to also think of ma in relations to human relations... It can be crucial in our relationship with our dear ones. Loving and caring and yet, being able to leave our partners (and ourselves) with enough ma which they need for their comfort and development.
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