Maybe Mr. Smithee is a lesser caliber student than Kevin Blok.
While that's common in Aikikai (not at all the case in Tomiki branch, which is a fairly big group).
I'll keep that in mind next time I have some handy. I'll chew my way through the carton and destroy the ice cream.
Absolute statements are nearly always false. To make that claim, you'd need to visit literally every school in the affiliations you refer to, for many classes. Clearly, that's not the case.
You don't seem to understand the difference between resisting a technique and general resistance. Or you're just trolling.
That's what they say as an excuse- injured, broken etc. The reality is that nothing happens. The practitioner is completely stripped, pants down, and has to think of plan B.
I know some Aikidoka who have that thought. Some of those pressure-test what they do (to varying degrees), while others do not. I also know quite a few Aikidoka who actually don't care whether what they do is effective for fighting or not. They like the movement and challenge of the skills.
Applying a joint lock against someone who understands joint locks is a non-starter. They are smaller movements, so are easier to counter if you recognize what's coming. They're more likely to work on the ground, where some of the counters are nullified.
Ignored. He ignored them. Because they don't fit his narrative.
I'm not saying additional strength training isn't useful. But it's not necessary (at least for some people) for a baseline of grip strength.
Yes, you could. But " other reasons" is not why Kevin Blok went to be a live in student.
Obvious troll statement.
