Red Phoenix Continued, Blending Attacks

Since the last time I posted I have learned a few new insights into my Aikido.  We worked on training exercises where the attacker, from a shomen strike, has their attack blended by nage where the arm is extended to meet the inside of their attack as once a connection is made the other arm enters and redirects their attack past you whilst the initial contacted arm withdraws to allow safe passing of the attack.  This was also applied to kick defense where the kick is deflected by bringing the arm down to brush against the kick and allow it to slide past you.  This is difficult at first as you may tried to block the kick rather than blend with it.  It is important to remember to keep your hands up and sweep down a full motion to brush the leg and not just hit it and take the force of the attack.

We also worked on some aiki-jujitsu techniques with a bit more "grappling" involved in the defense.  One involved having been pushed and taking a back roll as the attacker approaches.  When they go to kick you lean back with your foot going into their groin or knee which brings them down and you wrap their legs up with your before twisting up and effectively incapacitating their leg.

Another technique involved being grabbed by the shoulder and being pulled into a punch.  To avoid this as you are pulled your arms go up and the one near their punch begins to blend it away and you bring them through the rest of the technique.  The main skill here is reacting and bringing up your arms to protect your head and allow you to carry-over their punch.