The Movement - The Respiration

The Flow is the fundament of each training. Only if the flow is understood, the headstone for general understanding of Bujutsu is established. The pattern of movements in TAKEDA RYU NAKAMURA HA, which are several centuries old, are sometimes hard to understand. Especially for beginners, because of their unusual way, which is to be done in complete harmony.

One can say that this is very similar to Taiji or Qigong. On principle this acception can not be considered as true. For its perfection TAKEDA RYU NAKAMURA HA Bujutsu needs something very important. Another person, a partner, a counterpart. Each movement is based on the action of the opponent. And it shall be completed in complete harmony, which is the crucial component of efficient training and understanding. 
The Counterpart.

First of all the movements have do be done in harmony by yourself. After some time it will work to a certain degree. Then both movements, yours and of your partner, have to be done in harmony. In Japan this is called "awaseru".
In the West their is no adequate translation, therefore I call it "physical empathy".
After a long time of training your body will be turned into the harmonic movements of your counterpart. You will become bodily flexible, calm and you will gain intensive feeling of your body. This qualities will enrich your life aside the tatami (= jap. mat).
You will become more healthy, and you will feel much more relaxed and secure. As the chinese medicine knows. A well body is a relaxed body. Both in the mental and in the physical way. Only someone, who is relaxed can win in life, inside and outside of the Dojo.

Another very important feature is strongly conected to the movement.
It is THE vital necessity of the human being.

The Respiration

As known breathing plays a significant role in the asian way of thinking.
Correct breathing straightens up the spine. You become a "straight" person.
Only after you have been erected through correct respiration, you will feel the immense power of one single gasp an you will understand why it was so important to put the focus on that.
Western medicine found out that babies are breathing to their abdomen, which is the goal of each breathing exercise.

It is our surrounding, our environment connected to stress, speed and hurry which makes us breathing in our chests.
Because of that our center the HARA is not supplied by its vital energy the asian thinking says. The HARA is placed two fingers breadth under your umbilicus, which is also the center of gravity of your skeleton, of your body.
If this point is not sustained through your breathing you become insecure.
The consequences are clear. Herniated disc, breathing difficulties, defective positions, malpositions. In a large part just because of wrong respiration.