Turning exercise with partner: uke grabs a wrist in katate-dori, tori uses an (irimi) tenkan turn to move to the outside. Uke keeps the grip - both partners maintain connection.
This movement is very common in many katate-dori techniques, and it is practised as a stand-alone exercise in aiki-taiso.
Tai-no-tenkan is exceptionally well suited to practise a whole number of aikido elements: posture, centered movement, relaxed yet confident extension, position, distance, timing, awareness and connection between uke and tori.
There is a number of variations how tai-no-tenkan is practised following different concepts of the guiding principle. In all of them, the role of uke is particularly important: vigilance, cooperation, flexibility and a full wrist grip are important aspects of the exercise.
As a beginner's exercise, we like to work with the image of balancing a giant egg on the hands, which must not break during the movement. Tori's concentration should be on the imaginary egg during the entire movement. As experience progresses, a series of forms with different focal points are practised.
Terms used:
Katate-Dori, Uke, Tori, Tenkan, Irimi, Aiki-Taiso, Aikido
