Aikido HENKA WAZA, changing techniques, by Stefan Stenudd, 7 dan Aikikai shihan

Henkawaza in aikido is to change from one technique to another, midway through. It can be done when the initial technique is resisted, or in some other adaption to circumstances. This video shows several henkawaza combinations. Henkawaza should not be trained so that it impairs the basic techniques (for example by doing it sloppily to motivate the shift). There should be a reason for the shift, such as when the initial technique is resisted, or when the attacker gets dispositioned for that technique, or when other simultaneous attackers make it impractical. Several ura versions of techniques can be used as henkawaza on their omote counterparts. If the omote technique becomes difficult, usually the ura version will work fine. For example, see ikkyo omote and ura in the beginning of this video. The series ikkyo – nikyo – sankyo - yonkyo can be done as sort of henkawaza on the previous technique. That is also shown in the video. And some techniques complement one another, such as hijikime osae (rokkyo) when the attacker stretches the arm to avoid nikyo, and nikyo when the attacker bends the arm to avoid hijikime osae. That’s interesting to explore. Of course, henkawaza can be practiced even when the first technique would work. Ideally, the first technique should always work. Still, when training henkawaza, it is good to have a reason for the change of technique. That helps develop skills in applying techniques to a wide variety of situations. I mostly show the techniques rather slowly, for clarity. Usually I show the gotai form, when the attacker has completed the grip. Sometimes I do the techniques jutai, where the movement starts before the attack is completed. There can be some minor differences on how you move, depending on if it’s gotai or jutai. It is important to practice both. Uke was Stephan Schröder (@stephanschroder7611). For more about aikido, visit my website: My aikido books: