Aikido Stance Explained: Adaptable, Not Fixed

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A strong Aikido stance isn’t wide, low, or fixed in any single way.
It’s adaptable.

In this video, I clarify a common misunderstanding about stance and stability in Aikido. Many practitioners focus too much on foot placement—how wide, how low, or what angle the feet “should” be at. But over-fixating on the feet creates rigidity, and rigidity delays movement.

True stability comes from the center, not from locking into a position.

I also address an apparent contradiction some students notice in my teaching. In certain training contexts—such as power drills or specific moments in techniques like Tenchi Nage or Iriminage—I do encourage a wider stance. But that does not mean a wide stance should be your default Kamae. Outside of those specific situations, an overly wide stance kills responsiveness, delays timing, and often tempts the arms to take over because the legs become slow or clunky.

From there, I focus on one of the most important (and overlooked) elements of posture: soft knees and alive feet.

Locked joints require an extra moment to unlock before you can move. Soft knees allow for micro-adjustments—fractions of a second that make the difference between being late and being ready. Good Aikido posture doesn’t feel braced or held. It feels immediately ready.

This perspective applies whether you’re training basics, working solo, or refining advanced technique. Watch closely, then try the Practice Prompt below and notice what changes.

Chapters

00:00 – What a Strong Aikido Stance Really Is
00:13 – Stability Comes from the Center
00:38 – Let the Feet Respond, Not Lock
01:07 – When a Wide Stance Helps (and When It Hurts)
02:24 – Exceptions vs Everyday Training
04:12 – Why a Wide Stance Kills Responsiveness
04:47 – Soft Knees and Alive Feet
06:25 – Why Locked Joints Slow You Down
07:09 – Ready, Not Braced
07:18 – Closing Thoughts

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