A Glimpse Into the World of Aikido

Although aikido IS one of the martial arts and is an effective self-defense technique, it can also be a means of achieving personal growth and inner peace.

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A Glimpse Into the World of Aikido By Donovan Baldwin After World War II, there began a very strong convergence of Eastern and Western cultures. As a result of the growing links and traffic between East and West, more and more seemingly "mysterious" practices have become better known to us. Many of these deal with self-discipline, self-awareness, health, and physical fitness. Some of these have begun to be better known to the general public, such as meditation and yoga. Some, particularly various forms of martial arts, are known to a smaller number of people. One such close combat technique, Aikido, is a very popular Japanese martial art which is becoming better known to martial arts aficianados around the world. A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF AIKIDO One of the basic principles of the martial art of aikido is to avoid fighting force with force. This martial art form is considered to be one of the non-aggressive styles of martial arts. It has become popular with the general public because it does not instigate or provoke an attack. Instead, in the event the aikido student IS attacked, the attacker's own force and energy is redirected into throws, locks, and several restraining techniques. AGE, WEIGHT AND STRENGTH DON'T MATTER Unlike many of the martial arts forms seen in movies and on TV, aikido actually uses very few punches and kicks. Since it is the opponent's own energy which is used against them by the application of the appropriate technique at the proper moment, the size, weight, age, and physical strength of both participants only play only a small role in the outcome. What's important is the skilled Aikido practitioner is skilled enough to redirect his or her attacker's energy while keeping him or her in a constant of unbalance. HISTORY OF AIKIDO The history of Aikido as a martial art is not as old as many other disciplines from the East. Aikido only began in the 1940's when Morihei Ueshiba defined and developed its principles. Known as "O Sensei" or the "Great Teacher," Ueshiba combined his personal religious beliefs, and an immense knowledge of known martial arts, to develop a martial arts discipline of his own which is based on a purely physical level using movements such as throws, joint locks and techniques. Most of aikido's techniques are not completely original but are derived from other martial arts such as "Jujitsu" and "Kenjutsu." INFLUENCES ON AIKIDO Technically, aikido was primarily born out of the discipline of "daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu", a Japanese martial art which first became popular in the early 20th century under the guidance of Takeda Sokaku. However, Ueshiba also incorporated several training movements similar to the "yari" or "spear, "jo" or a short "quarterstaff" and from "juken" or "bayonet". Although these jujitsu movements are quite obvious to those familiar to jujitsu and aikido, many practitioners agree that the strongest influence on the development of aikido comes from kenjutsu. THE FINAL FORM - HARMONY OF THE SPIRIT When he finally achieved a final form of both the minor and major principles of Aikido, Ueshiba insisted that the martial art should not only pertain to self-defense techniques but should also play a major role in the enhancement of the practitioner's moral and spiritual character. It should, in his view, eventually lead them to place greater value on the development and achievement of peace and harmony. In fact, because of the great emphasis in the development of harmony and peace, many aikido masters feel that "the way of harmony of the spirit" is one way of describing or translating the actual term "aikido" in the English language. Just like many other martial arts from the East, aikido has various techniques which include such as ikkyo or the "first technique", nikyo or the "second technique", sankyo or the "third technique", yonkyo or the "fourth technique", the gokyo or the "fifth technique", the shihonage or the "four-direction throw", the kotegaeshi or the "wrist return", kokyunage or the "breath throw", iriminage or the "entering-body throw", tenchinage or the "heaven-and-earth throw", koshinage or the "hip throw", jujinage or the "shaped-like-'ten'-throw", and the kaitennage or the "rotation throw". AN EFFECTIVE USE OF ENERGY Aikido is not a martial arts discipline which makes use of attacking and does not involve punching or kicking the opponent. On the other hand, it is not considered as a static art but is very dynamic. Without actually attacking in most cases, it is still a very effective means of martial arts which allows the aikido practitioner to use the energy of their opponent in order to gain control over them. When you have a chance to observe aikido more closely, you will realize that this martial art is not only a means of self-defense, but can also serve a means of spiritual enlightenment, physical health or exercise or even simply a manner of attaining peace of mind, concentration, and serenity. Although aikido IS a popular martial art, and is also an effective self-defense technique, the study of aikido can also lead to personal growth and inner peace. The Aikido Success Blueprint Collection gives you powerful strategies to fast-track your Aikido skills. An absolute gold-mine of wisdom Click Here Martial Arts Home