Aikido

Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art that has been modernized from 1925 to 1930 by Morihei Ushibaka (O’Sense). Modern Aikido uses ancient methods developed by Samurai warriors to develop their techniques. It was developed in the history of the Japanese warrior arts but was based on tactics and self-defense and it aimed to refine the spirit. In Japan, the word Aikido is composed of three Kanji characters that translate as the way for unity. The Aikido therapist trains the body in harmony through the application and practice of basic principles.

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Aikido is a Japanese martial art that has been modernized and can help you refine your spirit. It uses ancient methods developed by samurai warriors and is based on tactics and self-defense.

With Aikido, you can train your body in harmony and achieve better physical health. You’ll also learn how to defend yourself in any situation.

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Aikido

Aikido techniques are based on body movement and leverage rather than strength, which makes the art suitable for men, women, and children of all ages and sizes. The techniques can be used to control or disable an attacker without causing serious injury.

Aikido training develops coordination, balance, timing, and flexibility. Training also helps to develop a calm and focused mind. Aikido promotes peace and harmony and teaches practitioners to resolve conflict without violence whenever possible.

Modern Aikido has five main principles:

- Wa (harmony): The principle of Wa emphasizes the importance of harmony in all aspects of life. In Aikido, this principle is applied to the relationship between the practitioner and their opponent. By working together harmoniously, both parties can benefit from the interaction.

- Ki (energy): The principle of Ki is the belief that everything in the universe is connected and interdependent. In Aikido, this principle is applied to the relationship between the practitioner and their opponent. By using and controlling the opponent’s energy, the practitioner can control the situation without resorting to violence.

- Makoto (sincerity): The principle of Makoto is the belief that all actions should be done with sincerity and honesty. In Aikido, this principle is applied to the relationship between the practitioner and their opponent. By being sincere in one’s actions, both parties can benefit from the interaction.

- Mu (nothingness): The principle of Mu is the belief that to achieve true victory, one must first let go of all attachments. In Aikido, this principle is applied to the relationship between the practitioner and their opponent. By not clinging to any preconceived notions or ideas, both parties can benefit from the interaction.

- Sei (purity): The principle of Sei is the belief that all actions should be done with purity of heart and mind. In Aikido, this principle is applied to the relationship between the practitioner and their opponent. By being pure in one’s intent, both parties can benefit from the interaction.

These principles are the foundation of Aikido and guide practitioners on how to conduct themselves both on and off the mat.

What is Aikido?

Aikido (合気道) is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century. Sometimes referred to as "the Way of Harmony," Aikido is based on the principles of non-resistance and using an opponent's energy against them.

Aikido is a relatively modern martial art, and its roots can be traced back to Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu, a feudal Japanese combat system that was popular among the samurai class. Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, was a student of Daito-Ryu master Sokaku Takeda, and he incorporated many of the principles of that art into his system.

Aikido is often described as a "soft" martial art, in contrast to arts like karate or judo which rely on striking or throwing techniques. Instead, Aikido practitioners use the momentum of an attacker to their advantage, using joint locks and throws to control or disarm them.

Aikido can be used for self-defense, but it is also an effective way to resolve conflict without resorting to violence. The goal of Aikido training is not to defeat an opponent, but rather to develop the skills necessary to protect oneself and others from harm.

Aikido is practiced by people of all ages and abilities all over the world, and it can be adapted to suit any situation. Whether you're looking for a way to get fit, learn self-defense, or simply meet new people, Aikido may be the perfect martial art for you.

Etymology and basic philosophy

The word "aikido" is formed from three Japanese characters:

合 (ai): joining, unifying, combining, agreement, concord, harmony;

気 (ki): spirit, energy, mood, morale;

道 (dō): way, path.

The term dō is often translated as "the Way", or perhaps more accurately as "the Principle". Consequently, Aiki-dō might be read as "the Way of Aiki" or simply "the Principle of Aiki". There are several interpretations of the word dō. One suggests that Dō implies Daoism/Taoism and refers to the universal principle governing reality: everything arises from nothingness and eventually returns to it. Another suggests that Dō refers to the wisdom of Buddha and implies the idea of a path or journey to be undertaken by the practitioner. In this latter interpretation, one can think of Aiki-dō as "the path (or way) of Aiki".

AikiWeb's Glossary lists the following meanings for the word dō:

way; road; street; route; lane; course; track; course of study

pathway through which energy flows

the principle in Eastern thought akin to Newton's law "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction"

The basic philosophy of Aikido is rooted in several Japanese martial arts traditions, particularly those of the samurai. Samurai martial arts such as Kenjutsu and Battōjutsu were based on techniques for efficiently killing an opponent using a sword. In contrast, Aikido is based on the principle of non-violence (Aiki), and practitioners seek to resolve conflict without fighting or injuring their opponents.

Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969), who was born in Japan and raised during the Meiji era, a time when many traditional Japanese values were being challenged by Western ideas. Ueshiba was exposed to several different martial arts traditions as a young man, including those of the samurai, and he eventually came to believe that the true purpose of martial arts was not to injure or kill others, but to perfect oneself.

After several years of developing his martial art, which he called Aikido, Ueshiba had a profound philosophical epiphany that profoundly changed the nature of his art. He came to believe that the true purpose of Aikido was not to injure or kill others but to perfect oneself and bring about peace in the world. This change in philosophy is reflected in the name of Ueshiba's dojo, which he named the "Aiki Shrine" (合気神社). The shrine was a place where people could come to learn about Aikido and its principles and meditate on the meaning of peace.

The word "Aiki" is generally used to refer to the principles of Aikido, but it can also be used to describe the process of unifying the mind and body. This process is at the heart of Aikido training, and it is what sets Aikido apart from other martial arts.

When applied to martial arts, the word "Aiki" describes a way of using an opponent's energy against them, rather than meeting force with force. This can be accomplished in several ways, but the most common is by using techniques that redirect an opponent's attack so that they lose balance and momentum. This allows the Aikidoka (Aikido practitioner) to control the situation without resorting to violence.

The goal of Aikido training is not simply to learn self-defense techniques but to develop the ability to control and resolve conflict without resorting to violence. This is accomplished through a process of physical and mental conditioning that develops the skills necessary to control an opponent without harming them.

Aikido is often described as "the art of peace" because its ultimate goal is to promote peace in the world. However, Aikido can also be used as a form of self-defense, and many Aikidoka has found it to be an effective way to defend themselves in dangerous situations.

While Aikido training can be beneficial for anyone who wishes to learn self-defense, it is especially well suited for those who are interested in developing their inner strength and peace of mind. Aikido is not about winning or losing, but about finding a way to resolve conflict without violence. Through the process of training, Aikidoka learns to control their minds and bodies and to find inner peace amid chaos.

Historie

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平 Ueshiba Morihei, 14 December 1883 – 26 April 1969), referred to by some aikidōka as Ōsensei (大先生? lit. "Great Teacher").

Ueshiba developed aikido primarily from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, as well as from other arts he had studied including Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū Jujutsu, Kodokan Judo, Kenjutsu, and Gotōha Yagyū Shingen-ryū Kenjutsu. Aikido also owes much to the inspiration of the artistic and philosophic teachings of Okakura Kakuzō, O-Sensei's close friend and compatriot.

Ueshiba moved to Hokkaidō in 1912 and commenced studying under Takeda Sokaku, the thirteenth soke (head) of Daitō-ryū.[12] When he was 21 years old Ueshiba married popular 18-year-old Hatsu Itokawa, with whom he would have four children. Like many of Takeda's other students, Ueshiba studied sword techniques (kenjutsu), spear (yari), and stick fighting methods (jujutsu or jōdō), as well as jujutsu. In 1926 Ueshiba left Hokkaidō to take up a teaching post at the Kobukan Dojo (講武館?) in Shibuya, Tokyo.

The dojo was devoted to the practice of Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū (天神真楊流?) Jujutsu under Masaki Hatsumi. Ueshiba had already begun to develop his system of unarmed combat, which he called Aikido, but it was not until after being exposed to Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū that he began to think about the martial art he had been developing in terms of "the Way of Harmony with the Spirit" (合気道 Aikidō?).

Ueshiba met Sensei Onisaburo Deguchi in 1925, at the age of 42. Deguchi was the head of the Omoto-Kyo religion and had great influence over Ueshiba's spiritual development.[16] Ueshiba joined Omoto-Kyo in 1926 and began to take part in their activities, even including a ceremonial role in an attempt to assassinate Admiral Tadamichi Kuribayashi in 1927. However, the assassination attempt failed and it has been suggested that this event caused Ueshiba to reconsider his involvement with such violent acts. At around this time Ueshiba also changed the name of his martial art from "Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu" to "Aikibujutsu" (合気武術?, lit. "harmonious energy military art"), and later to "Aiki Budō" (合気武道? lit. "the way of harmonious energy").

By the 1930s Ueshiba had distanced himself from Deguchi and Omoto-Kyo and was instead concentrating on his martial art, which he now called by its current name, Aikido.[19] The basic principles of aikido were originally entirely physical, based on the Daitō-ryū principles of jujutsu that Ueshiba had learned from Takeda Sokaku. However, as Ueshiba's spiritual understanding of his art deepened, he came to believe that its techniques could also be effectively applied without the use of physical force.

This is the principle of "Aiki", which can be translated as "joining with ki", or "harmonious energy".

Ueshiba developed aikido primarily from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, as well as from other arts he had studied including Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū Jujutsu, Kodokan Judo, Kenjutsu, and Gotōha Yagyū Shingen-ryū Kenjutsu. Aikido also owes much to the inspiration of the artistic and philosophic teachings of Okakura Kakuzō, O-Sensei's close friend and compatriot.

Kieran

Kieran is an Aikido practitioner and instructor at the Aiki Shrine in Boston, MA. He has been practicing Aikido for over 10 years and has a passion for sharing the art with others.

Uniforms and ranking

Aikido is typically practiced in a Gi (uniform), and practitioners wear a belt (obi) to signify their rank. The most common belt colors are white, brown, and black, with black being the highest rank. There are also other ranks within the Aikido hierarchy, such as shodan (first-degree black belt), Nidan (second-degree black belt), Sandan (third-degree black belt), and London (fourth-degree black belt). In addition to these traditional ranks, several levels of certification can be obtained from the Aikikai Foundation, the organization founded by Morihei Ueshiba that oversees the development and promotion of Aikido worldwide.

The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, is also known as O-Sensei (great teacher).

Aikido techniques are usually performed with a partner, and there are two main types of training: Randori (freestyle practice) and Kata (formalized exercises). Randori is designed to simulate a real-life attack situation, while Kata is focused on the proper execution of specific techniques.

Aikido training often begins with basic techniques such as throws and joint locks and progresses to more advanced techniques such as swordsmanship and weapons defense. Aikido practitioners also learn how to fall safely and how to control their breath and body to maintain their center of gravity.

The following are some of the basic principles of Aikido:

- Always maintain your center of gravity.

- Use an opponent's energy against them.

- Redirect an attack rather than meeting it head-on.

- Control your breath and body to maintain your balance.

- Be prepared to fall safely.

- Practice with a partner to develop your techniques.

Training

Aikido training typically consists of three main components:

- Ukemi: Learning how to fall safely is an important part of Aikido training. Practitioners learn how to break their fall and roll out of the way of an attack.

- Waza: Waza are the specific techniques that make up the Aikido repertoire. These can include throws, joint locks, and striking techniques.

- Ki: Ki is the inner energy that flows through all things. Aikido practitioners learn to control their ki and use it to their advantage in both training and self-defense situations.

Aikido techniques are usually performed with a partner, but solo exercises (such as Suburi and Tai No Henko) are also an important part of training. Aikido students typically progress through a prescribed curriculum, beginning with basic techniques and progressing to more advanced material as their skills develop.

A typical Aikido class begins with a warm-up period followed by some basic technique training. The remainder of the class is typically dedicated to Randori (freestyle practice), in which students apply what they have learned in a more realistic environment.

Classes usually end with cool-down exercises and/or meditation, and sometimes include additional activities such as weapons training or open mat time.

Aikido is a lifelong pursuit, and there is always something new to learn. In addition to attending regular classes, many Aikidoka also participates in seminars and workshops to further their training. Aikido is also a great way to get exercise and meet new people, so it's perfect for all ages and abilities.

If you're interested in learning more about Aikido, check out our beginner's guide or find a dojo near you.