How to Perform a Kokyunage Against a Bear Hug in Aikido

Performing A Kokyunage Against A Bear Hug

Step 1:
Allow your opponent to approach you from behind and wrap his arms around your upper body, pinning your arms to your sides, locking his hands together at the center of the chest.

Step 2:
Raise your lower arms to pull on your opponent’s arms slightly and take a quick step forward. Your opponent’s hold will be weakened and he will be pulled forward and off balance.

Step 3:
Take an open stance with your right foot back and your left foot forward, forcing your opponent to face your back at an angle and loosening his hold while bending him forward.

Step 4:
Plant your feet and twist back with the right side of your body, arm, and shoulder. Conversely twist forward and downward with the left side of your body. This motion will force your opponent dangerously off balance and cause him to fall or roll off to your left side. You can aid this fall by swinging your left arm inward and forward to pull your opponent’s arms along too.