What is Aikido

Posted on May 30th, 2010 in Sports & Hobbies

Aikido is an excellent form of both physical and mental exercise. It is considered a “soft” art because of the lack of kicks and punches. Aikido teaches harmony and balance in relation to the environment, others, and oneself. Underlying the physical practice of the art are universal principles. Aikido is a way, or path, of bringing our true self, our body, and our energy together into a powerful, cohesive, effective unit. This benefits not only us personally, but benefits society as well.

Aikido is the martial art of peace. As an Aikido’Ka student, you learn to resolve all disputes (physical or emotional) without becoming an attacker yourself. Aikido focuses on center to center connection and strives to allow one to defend without the necessity of seriously harming the attacker. Aikido is fully engaging. Through training, the philosophy, technique, self-awareness and spirit.

Aikido is more than a physical martial art. Into its practice are woven elements of philosophy, psychology and dynamics. Aikido is a martial art of peace and creativity that strives for inner development and social harmony and draws from the best of a rich and long Japanese martial arts history. Its path is deeply and positively transformative for all who follow it.

Aikido is very much about finding a balance and right relation between Yin and Yang. As for the second part, all things that turn have a center of stillness. Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art developed in the 1920′s by Morihei Ueshiba. It evolved from the older forms of Jujutsu to a non-violent, defensive martial art.

Aikido is rooted in the Japanese Samurai warrior traditions and disarming techniques. It also is influenced by Ueshiba’s study of Daito-Ryu jujutsu. Aikido is the lifelong study to unify life’s energies (ki); to find harmony with our environment and to become centered within. The practice of Aikido is an exercise in developing the mental and spiritual sides of ourselves along with the physical side into a unified state. Aikido is not street fighting. You are on the mat to train and purify your aggressive reactions and embody the spirit of the samurai by discovering your social responsibility.

Aikido: Tradition and the Competitive Edge, Fumiaki Shi