What Sensei was teaching during these moments was not simply the posture of kamae but rather something more full, more settled, more focused and more spectacular. He would not be satisfied with an empty physical form. He demanded the full and awesome focus and unity of your mind, your body, and your spirit (Shin Gi Tai Ichi Nyo). Uke had to be fully centred and ready and, at the same time, completely calm without any manifestation of their "self."

Before any of us had gotten to a level senior enough to take his uke, we had spent years trying to develop this type of centred unity through our kihon dosa practice. But rushing up to take his uke was one of those irreplaceable experiences that served to take all that training and put a pin in it. There was something about standing there in front of him … ready. It was one of the most intense experiences a student could encounter.

With a slight nod or perhaps a quick gesture that seemed part welcoming and part commanding, Kimeda Sensei would indicate his uke for the next technique. His typical custom was to not play favourites. He would start with the highest ranking black belt and work down in succession through the seniors. This approach avoided the inevitable competition to race up in front of him in order to feel his technique. As each student received their "invitation," they would take off like a shot — eager that they didn't make Sensei wait and eager for the chance to learn, quite literally, at the hands of one of the giants within the Yoshinkan.

In our case as students of Aikido, this increased focus will result in a relaxation of muscles and a broadening of perception. This, in turn, will help us to react more smoothly and instantaneously to our teachers. When we can do this we will be well on our way to understanding a key component of aikido — sensitivity. Contrary to what might at first appear to be true, we are not actually trying to control our partners but rather, we are trying to control ourselves in such a way as to be sensitive to their intent and then take advantage in order to unbalance them. This sensitivity is what underpins the riai (the logical consistency) in all of our techniques.

There is no getting around this point. We simply must come to terms with it in order to progress. While it may seem counterintuitive, rushing up to take uke for Sensei when called upon, and standing ready, focused and intent in kamae, is perhaps the single best training for sensitivity within our regular practice. Senior students know this — it's why they scramble to be chosen by their own teacher during class, as well as visiting teachers during seminars. They know that a chance to take uke for a top teacher in a demonstration teaches them more in that short demo than six months of regular training. Of course, this allows them to feel the teacher's technique — but the real benefit is being able to check their own level of sensitivity, to perceive it directly and deepen their understanding.