One of the most foundational concepts in Kyo-Jitsu Ryu—and one of the most misunderstood in martial arts—is Passive Resistance. It’s a term we define in our main glossary, but its application deserves a deeper look. It is not simply “going limp,” nor is it “bracing for impact.” Instead, it is the artful blend of two distinct energies to manage force with surprising efficiency.
At its core, Passive Resistance is the principle of combining a relaxed, adaptable state (Passive Energy) with a strong, rooted structure (Resistant Energy). This fusion allows you to absorb, redirect, and neutralize an opponent’s force with minimal effort from yourself.
The Two Halves of the Whole
To understand Passive Resistance, you must first understand its components. Think of them as water and a mountain—seemingly opposite, but incredibly powerful when combined.
Passive Energy: The “Water” Element
This is the relaxed, adaptable quality. It’s the “soft” part of the art. Like water, Passive Energy never meets force with force. It flows around obstacles. It is receptive, sensitive, and fluid. When someone pushes you, your Passive Energy allows your upper body to yield, absorb, and feel the direction and intensity of that force without tensing up. It’s the quality that prevents you from being a rigid, unmoving target.
Resistant Energy: The “Mountain” Element
This is the strong, rooted structure. It’s the “hard” part of the art. Like a mountain, Resistant Energy is about stable, immovable grounding. This energy comes from your skeletal alignment, your connection to the floor, and the “root” you establish through your stance. It’s the framework that ensures yielding (being passive) doesn’t turn into collapsing. It’s the structural integrity that holds your ground.
Be like the willow tree. It has a strong root, a flexible trunk and fronds that sway in the wind. This is “passive resistance.”
— Sensei B. Duncan
Passive Resistance on the Mat
Imagine an opponent shoves you squarely in the chest. Your response will dictate the entire engagement:
- A purely Resistant (braced) response meets their force with your own. If they are stronger, you will be moved. You’ve become a rock they can push.
- A purely Passive (limp) response means you collapse. You lose your balance and structure instantly. You’ve become a ragdoll.
The difference between these responses is not just theoretical; it’s a demonstrable physical principle. The Passive Resistance response is different. As they push, your upper body (Passive Energy) yields slightly, absorbing the force like a shock absorber. At the same moment, your legs and core (Resistant Energy) root you to the ground. You don’t brace, and you don’t collapse. You blend with their force, redirecting it down through your structure into the floor, often unbalancing the attacker who expected a rigid wall.
Beyond the Dojo: Real-World Application
This principle is a powerful tool for navigating daily conflict. Think about a high-pressure meeting or a difficult conversation with a family member.
If you’re purely Resistant, you become argumentative and defensive. You meet their “force” (their words, anger, or stress) with your own, and the situation escalates. If you’re purely Passive, you become a doormat. You yield on every point, internalize the stress, and your own boundaries are ignored.
Applying Passive Resistance means you listen actively and calmly (Passive), allowing their points to be heard without triggering your own defensiveness. Simultaneously, you remain rooted in your own values, boundaries, and facts (Resistant). You can say, “I understand why you feel that way,” (Passive) while also stating, “but I am not able to agree to that” (Resistant). You absorb the emotional force without letting it break your structure.
This concept of “verbal aikido” is a direct, real-world application of passive resistance, transforming a confrontation into a chance for de-escalation by being both receptive and firm.
Try This: The “Wall Push” Exercise
Find a sturdy wall and stand facing it with one foot slightly in front of the other, in a comfortable stance.
- 1. Resist: Place your hands on the wall and push against it as hard as you can. Feel the immense tension in your shoulders, arms, and chest. This is 100% Resistant Energy.
- 2. Be Passive: Relax completely and just lean against the wall, letting it hold you up. Feel how your structure is compromised and you could be easily toppled. This is 100% Passive Energy.
- 3. Blend: Now, lean into the wall again. This time, only use just enough structure in your legs and core to remain upright. Relax your shoulders, arms, and chest (Passive). Let your structure (Resistant) do the work, not your muscles. Feel how you can manage the “force” of the wall with minimal effort.
This blend in step 3 is the physical feeling of Passive Resistance.
Ultimately, Passive Resistance isn’t an “either/or” choice between being hard or soft. It is the “both/and” solution. It is the sophisticated art of being simultaneously flexible and strong, adaptable and rooted, allowing you to navigate force—whether physical or emotional—with poise and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Passive Resistance just being passive or “going limp”?
Not at all. That’s a common misconception. Purely “going limp” is the Passive component without the Resistant component, which leads to collapsing. Passive Resistance is an active blend: you are “passive” in how you receive and absorb force (like a shock absorber), but “resistant” in how you maintain your strong structure and root so you don’t get knocked over.
2. Is this the same as being “passive-aggressive”?
No, they are opposites. Passive-aggressive behavior is about avoiding direct conflict while expressing hostility indirectly (like sarcasm or the silent treatment). Passive Resistance is a direct and honest way to handle conflict. You calmly receive the other person’s energy (Passive) while firmly and clearly holding your ground (Resistant). It’s about being receptive and firm, not hostile and evasive.
3. How is “Resistant Energy” different from just tensing up?
Tensing up is about using 100% muscular force. It’s rigid, inefficient, and actually makes you easier to push over because you’re a single, stiff block. “Resistant Energy,” as we use it, is about structure, not muscle. It’s using your skeletal alignment and connection to the ground to be stable and rooted. A tense body is brittle; a rooted body is strong.
4. Can you give another real-world example?
Think of a customer service professional dealing with an angry customer. A purely Passive response would be giving them anything they want, even if it’s against policy. A purely Resistant response would be arguing back, “No, you’re wrong.” The Passive Resistance response is to listen, validate their feelings (“I understand you’re frustrated…” – the Passive part), and then clearly state the solution (“…what I can do for you is this.” – the Resistant part).
5. What’s the main goal of the “Wall Push” exercise?
The goal is to physically feel the difference between these three states. Pushing the wall (100% Resist) shows you how much energy you waste with muscle. Collapsing (100% Passive) shows you what happens with no structure. The blend (Passive Resistance) teaches your body how to find the “sweet spot” where you can be stable and rooted with minimal muscular effort.