Basics

THEORY OF NEUTRALIZATION

The practical self defense techniques of the Seikido way rely mainly upon dynamic movements which are applications of the principles of: evasion of the initial attack, centralization of movement, extension of energy, dispersion of energy, and nonresistance. These strategies of neutralization are summarized as follows:

• EVASION; avoiding the offender's direct initial assault and providing no target to absorb the energy of the attack.
• CENTRALIZATION; the defender must move around his/her center and maintain him/herself as the center of actions, mentally and physically, moving inside the opponent's weapon or point of attack, similar to the eye of the hurricane.
• EXTENSION; directing the flow of body energy, which must extend out from the body, to maximize the defender's power or redirect and accentuate the offender's energy away. This energy can also be focused upon a target area with a striking surface.
• DISPERSION; taking, leading, and controlling the energy of the attack around the center, redirecting it and dispersing it harmlessly away, leaving either partner uninjured.
• NON RESISTANCE; going with the offender's force, leading or combining with the offender's action and using his/her strength, weight, and movement against him/her. Controlled non-resistance will disguise the defender's counter measures during the initial stages of defensive action. The general rule is: turn when pushed, enter when pulled.

These principles are employed by using the following attributes:

• "HARA"; the source of the body energy. This is centralized at a point slightly below the navel. The body must be kept constantly in balance around this center of gravity. It can be visualized and used as the "ball of energy". The HARA is the center of the sphere of movement.
• "Ki"; the flow of energy from the center and outward from the body. This can be defined as mental energy, intrinsic energy, or "breath power", as opposed to muscle power. Manifested in unbendable arm and rooted to the earth techniques, as well as the piercing strikes "through" the target.
• CIRCULARITY; circular movement leading the offender's attack in a continuous spiral motion which unbalances the offender and extends his action beyond his control around the defender's center. Exemplified in "tenkan" and "sword cutting" actions.
• "SHIKAKU"; (dead angle) the most favorable position for the defender to avoid the offender's attack, where she/he is least capable of attack. This usually involves moving into the blind spot just beside her/his leading shoulder.
  

Part 3: THEORY OF POWER