LEFT FOOT (Final Position)		RIGHT FOOT (Final Position)
LEFT FOOT (Original Position)		RIGHT FOOT (Original Position)
In the demonstration graphics below, the feet are coloured red and blue as shown here.

Whether moving or standing still in Aikido, your body should feel strong and resilient, without tension or stiffness.

Your hands should be extended in front of you with the fingers slightly spread — the posture is very similar to that adopted while holding a Japanese sword. Visualise your ki (energy) projecting out through your fingers as if they were a hose.

The leading hand (on the same side as your front foot) guards the head and upper body, while the other protects the lower torso and thighs.

In all Aikido movement, be sure to keep your weight low and your movement fluid and even. It can help to visualise all of your motion as being centred around a point a couple of inches below your navel — this point is called your hara.

Try to avoid lifting your weight up and down as you step. Your hips and shoulders should remain at the same level as you move your body, and your spine should remain upright.

If you need to get lower, keep your back upright and go down at the thighs — don't bend over at the hips. This way you can maintain your balance and you don't risk getting "stuck".

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HANMI (Basic Stance) Your feet should be about a shoulder-width apart, with knees flexed and your weight slightly towards the front foot.
	MIGI HANMI Right foot forward stance	HIDARI HANMI Left foot forward stance

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IRIMI

(Moving in)

Slide your front foot diagonally forward, off the line of attack. Bring your back foot up to resume your stance.

This sliding stepping is known as Suri-Ashi. The feet do not leave contact with the ground, but whisper across its surface.

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ISSOKU IRIMI

(Stepping through)

Step through with the back foot, diagonally off the line of attack. Bring the other foot in behind to resume your stance.

When you have completed the movement, you should have changed your stance from migi hanmi to hidari hanmi (or vice-versa).

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TENKAI

(Pivot)

Pivot 180 degrees on the balls of your feet to end up facing in the opposite direction.

You should now be facing in the opposite direction, and be in the opposite stance to when you started.

Remember to transfer your weight evenly as you change your stance.

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TENKAN

(Turning)

Step slightly forward and off the line of attack with the front foot.

Turn (in the direction of your back) 180 degrees, bringing the other foot around behind you.

You should now be facing in the opposite direction, and in the same stance as when you started.

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IRIMI TENKAN

(Step through and turn)

Step through with the back foot, performing issoku irimi.

Then, pivoting on the ball of the front foot, turn 180 degrees in the direction of your back.

You should now be facing in the opposite direction, and be in the opposite stance to when you started.

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HANTAI TENKAN

(Step through and half-turn)

Step through with the back foot, performing issoku irimi.

Turn as if performing tenkan, but instead of turning all the way, we only turn 90 degrees.

You should now be facing off to the side of your original direction, and be in the opposite stance to when you started.

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