Kotegaeshi Undo

Series Summary

Aikido, the modern Japanese martial art, was developed between the 1920's and 1960's and is a powerful form of mortal combat that employs many different techniques of attack and defense. Learning these techniques is often done by repeating basic Aikido exercises and motions. Each Aikido exercise trains a student to execute a certain Aikido technique. These Aikido exercises are necessary for the Aikido student's training and advancement. If you would like to learn basic Aikido exercises you can learn for free in these Aikido training videos.

In this free video series learn Aikido exercises and techniques from 4th degree black belt Gary Boaz. Gary will teach you basic Aikido principles of motion and principles of self defense. He will demonstrate Aikido exercises such as Kotegaeshi Undo, Nikyo Undo, Sankyo Undo, Kantate Osa Undo, Tenkan Undo, Funakogi Undo, Sayu Undo, and Shomenuchi Ikkyo Undo. Additionally, Gary will demonstrate Aikido techniques such as Uke Nagashi Tenkan, Uke Nagashi Irimi, Tegatan Tenkana, and Tegatan Tenkan.

Video Transcript

"One of the first things that we always cover with beginners is, of course, how to do the stretches. The stretches are important for several reasons. Number one, to learn to limber up your wrist so you don't get injuries. But, number two, to learn how to actually apply the technique, to know how it feels to do it to someone else because you're doing it to yourself, and learn the good principle, solid foundation for applying the technique. The first technique that I'll show you, the first hando, we call it a wrist stretch or a hando is kotegaeshi. Basically, you'll hold your hand in front of you just like this, your palm facing towards you. Reach around and put your fingers around the fat part of your thumb, put your thumb underneath your pinkie, you twist it so that the blade of your hand is in. Bring it to your chest, relax your body, especially your shoulders, and then stretch it down toward your bellybutton, and then hold it there where you get a good stretch. This is kotegaeshi undo. Always pick a stance, and I put whatever foot forward what I'm doing, the wrist that I'm stretching. So, since I'm doing my right wrist, I'm stretching the right wrist, I'm putting my right foot forward. Just like this. Once that's stretched, I'll stretch it down, up and down a few times, and then I switch to the other hand, just like this. Now, let me show you an application for that. The idea is that kotegaeshi is a wrist lock, an outward wrist lock, I lock it here by locking the bones, and the muscles, and the tendons in the wrist. You can already see how it's put the torque on his body. From here, we stretch it down, and take the person. Again, kotegaeshi, here, here."