This is well put. In judo, for example, most throws are pretty simple in having a readily discernible fulcrum. The setup and execution of the throws are efficie

This is well put. In judo, for example, most throws are pretty simple in having a readily discernible fulcrum. The setup and execution of the throws are efficient and reliable. In aikido, the point around which someone falls can often be floating unintuitively in space after a combined sequence of off balancings that are neither intuitive nor natural. I study aikido primarily today--not because it is easy, but because it's hard. I'm also utterly unconcerned with self defense. I train for those moments when everything is in alignment and either I or my training partner go vaulting effortlessly through the air. I wouldn't count on that happening in real life. In terms of self defense, people are almost always better off 1. giving an attacker what they want in terms of money or belongings, 2. Running away, 3. Fighting dirty--in that order.