Heaven-and-Earth throw

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Tenchi-nage, the Heaven-and-Earth throw is an aikidō move, which is primarily used as a defense against wrist grabs. The Heaven-and-Earth is one of the softer throws -- in both senses of the term. The landing is far less brutal than most hip throws and their derivatives, and it requires a greater deal of subtle manipulation to properly execute than other throws do. As always, you must make a point to do everything by the numbers:

  1. Kuzushi (Destroying balance): 7-3 outside, to whatever direction your opponent is grabbing from, entering a front stance. (If they have you in a double wrist grab, you can step to either side.) Rotate your arm from the shoulder down in an inside-to-outside circle, tracing part of a cone in the air. Try to touch your with knee. This will pull the opponent back and to the side, compromising their balance.

    This is the "Earth" part of the throw.

  2. Tsukuri (Positioning): While performing the “Earth” portion, simultaneously rotate your arm from the shoulder up in an inside-to-outside circle, tracing part of a cone in the air. Extend your opposite-side hand, palm-up towards into the opponent’s face, pushing them back, and spitting their energy.

    This is the "Heaven" part of the throw.

  3. Nage (Throw): Step your rear leg forward, entering into the other front stance. This will occupy the opponent’s space, pushing them back. The opponent must rear breakfall to prevent potential injury. Please not that stepping in to body-check the opponent is the actual throwing technique; the hands just off-balance the opponent to enhance the move. For best results, reach around the opponent’s back, and try to make your fingertips touch; this off-balances the opponent further, and more importantly, it prevents them from regaining their balance.

Remember to concentrate on the Earth; it is more important than Heaven. Don’t get lost in flighty, spiritual matters or with ponderous questions about ethereal beings when there are villains before you on Earth. While this technique appears to strike opponents down from heaven on high, it really pulls them down to the Earth, and drives them back by your commitment to move forward.

{video of heaven and earth throw from the front and side fast and slow without a partner. Then, show fast ans slow from the front, side, and rear with a partner.}