--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: However keen you may be to begin your…" description: "\"“However keen you may be to begin your study, before you venture on to the mat and attempt any of the basic techniques it is necessary to know somethin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/sadami-yamada-50679_aikido_however-keen-you-may-be-to-begin-your-st_3188632.jpg" --- # However keen you may be to begin your study, before you… ![“However keen you may be to begin your study, before you venture on to the mat and attempt any of the basic techniques it is necessary to know something of the principles that govern aikido, for unless you do understand a little about posture, movement, balance, gentleness and courtesy, you will…” quote by Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/sadami-yamada-50679_aikido_however-keen-you-may-be-to-begin-your-st_3188632.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/sadami-yamada-50679_aikido_however-keen-you-may-be-to-begin-your-st_3188632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/sadami-yamada-50679_aikido_however-keen-you-may-be-to-begin-your-st_3188632.jpg) > ““However keen you may be to begin your study, before you venture on to the mat and attempt any of the basic techniques it is necessary to know something of the principles that govern aikido, for unless you do understand a little about posture, movement, balance, gentleness and courtesy, you will not be a satisfactory pupil. (Page 18).”” [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Before practicing techniques, one must understand core principles like posture, balance, and courtesy to become a competent student. **In simple terms:** Learn basics before advanced moves. Key Takeaway Master fundamentals first. Themes martial arts learning discipline Mood educational practical Type instructional philosophical When to use this quote - dojo training - self‑defense classes - personal growth - team practice Key Concepts principles posture balance gentleness Questions to Reflect On - Why are basic principles vital? - How does courtesy affect training dynamics? A Different Perspective Skipping fundamentals leads to poor technique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aikido](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aikido/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Japan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/japan/) [Japanese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/japanese/) [Judo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judo/) [Karate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karate/) [Martial arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martial-arts/) [Posture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/posture/) ## Related quotes > [ “\[...\] before you can control your opponent's body you must first control his mind. (Page 17).” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/before-you-can-control-your-opponent-s-body-you-must-first-control/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“Aikido means the oneness of the way of the spirit, of being at one with the life force. (Page 17).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/aikido-means-the-oneness-of-the-way-of-the-spirit-of-being-at-one/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“To appreciate the best opportunity for attack and defence, you must fully understand the rhythm of movement. (Page 28).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/to-appreciate-the-best-opportunity-for-attack-and-defence-you-must/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“Seek to become conscious of being filled with ki, the power of the universe, and to use that power well. To be at one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/seek-to-become-conscious-of-being-filled-with-ki-the-power-of-the/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“We face the enemy and contend with him—if he turns away we let him go. (Page 13).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/we-face-the-enemy-and-contend-with-him-if-he-turns-away-we-let-him-go/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“To gain mastery you must unite the qualities of spirit, strength, technique and the ability to take the initiative. (Page 31).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/to-gain-mastery-you-must-unite-the-qualities-of-spirit-strength/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [Use karate, judo, aikido, or any style to build your counter-offensive. It will be interesting!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/use-karate-judo-aikido-or-any-style-to-build-your-counter-offensive/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [No system is better than another, but some are better for certain people. 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Only one must know how to 'learn.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/knowledge-can-be-acquired-by-a-suitable-and-complete-study-no-matter/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“O-Sensei was frequently head to say. 'Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat an enemy. It is the way to harmonize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-holiday/o-sensei-was-frequently-head-to-say-aiki-is-not-a-technique-to-fight/) [Linda Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-holiday/) > [“Through my willingness to train every day and to dig deep in the after-class ukemi sessions, over time I earned the respect and friendship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-holiday/through-my-willingness-to-train-every-day-and-to-dig-deep-in-the/) [Linda Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-holiday/) > [To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/to-practice-aikido-fully-you-must-calm-the-spirit-and-go-back-to-the/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) ## More by Sadami Yamada > [“To appreciate the best opportunity for attack and defence, you must fully understand the rhythm of movement. (Page 28).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/to-appreciate-the-best-opportunity-for-attack-and-defence-you-must/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“We face the enemy and contend with him—if he turns away we let him go. (Page 13).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/we-face-the-enemy-and-contend-with-him-if-he-turns-away-we-let-him-go/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“To gain mastery you must unite the qualities of spirit, strength, technique and the ability to take the initiative. (Page 31).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/to-gain-mastery-you-must-unite-the-qualities-of-spirit-strength/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“Seek to become conscious of being filled with ki, the power of the universe, and to use that power well. To be at one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/seek-to-become-conscious-of-being-filled-with-ki-the-power-of-the/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [“Aikido means the oneness of the way of the spirit, of being at one with the life force. (Page 17).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/aikido-means-the-oneness-of-the-way-of-the-spirit-of-being-at-one/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [ “\[...\] before you can control your opponent's body you must first control his mind. (Page 17).” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/before-you-can-control-your-opponent-s-body-you-must-first-control/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) [Explore all 7 Sadami Yamada quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) ## More Aikido quotes > [To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/to-practice-aikido-fully-you-must-calm-the-spirit-and-go-back-to-the/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [“Through my willingness to train every day and to dig deep in the after-class ukemi sessions, over time I earned the respect and friendship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-holiday/through-my-willingness-to-train-every-day-and-to-dig-deep-in-the/) [Linda Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-holiday/) > [“O-Sensei was frequently head to say. 'Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat an enemy. It is the way to harmonize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-holiday/o-sensei-was-frequently-head-to-say-aiki-is-not-a-technique-to-fight/) [Linda Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-holiday/) > [“Aikido practice is a method of incorporating the fundamentals of Great Harmony, Great Love, and Gratitude into one's own heart. To integrate these fundamentals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-holiday/aikido-practice-is-a-method-of-incorporating-the-fundamentals-of/) [Linda Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-holiday/) > [“To appreciate the best opportunity for attack and defence, you must fully understand the rhythm of movement. (Page 28).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/to-appreciate-the-best-opportunity-for-attack-and-defence-you-must/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [To rid the world of aggression and contention is the purpose of Aikido](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/to-rid-the-world-of-aggression-and-contention-is-the-purpose-of-aikido/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [When I was young I used to practice a martial art that was a mixture of karate, kung fu, Jujitsu, Yawara Kubotan, Aikido, Okinawan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-c-brown/when-i-was-young-i-used-to-practice-a-martial-art-that-was-a-mixture/) [William C. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-brown/) > [The air they breathe, being a living element with both physical and psychical properties, carries a subtle vital energy. This in India is named…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-waters/the-air-they-breathe-being-a-living-element-with-both-physical-and/) [Frank Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-waters/) > [No system is better than another, but some are better for certain people. The person makes a system worthwhile, not the other way around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-r-lansdale/no-system-is-better-than-another-but-some-are-better-for-certain/) [Joe R. Lansdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-r-lansdale/) > [“If you try to learn with your intellect, it is more difficult to absorb the teachings on a deep level. The mind looks at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-holiday/if-you-try-to-learn-with-your-intellect-it-is-more-difficult-to/) [Linda Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-holiday/) > [Aikido is the Way and Principle of harmonizing Heaven, Earth and Man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/aikido-is-the-way-and-principle-of-harmonizing-heaven-earth-and-man/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [It took me a long time to reach the decision to retire, actually, from the Art Ensemble. But it seemed more important to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-jarman/it-took-me-a-long-time-to-reach-the-decision-to-retire-actually-from/) [Joseph Jarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-jarman/) > [“We face the enemy and contend with him—if he turns away we let him go. (Page 13).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadami-yamada/we-face-the-enemy-and-contend-with-him-if-he-turns-away-we-let-him-go/) [Sadami Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadami-yamada/) > [Foster and polish the warrior spirit while serving in the world; illuminate the path according to your inner light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/foster-and-polish-the-warrior-spirit-while-serving-in-the-world/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [The aikido term ma ai, which means "space harmony" ("ai" is Chinese for "love," and it translates into Japanese as harmonious connection) refers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gilligan/the-aikido-term-ma-ai-which-means-space-harmony-ai-is-chinese-for/) Stephen Gilligan [Browse all 66 Aikido quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aikido/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“However keen you may be to begin your study, before you venture on to the mat and attempt any of the basic techniques it is necessary to know something of the principles that govern aikido, for unless you do understand a little about posture, movement, balance, gentleness and courtesy, you will not be a satisfactory pupil. 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