Aikido
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About Aikido

Founded in early 1900's and given it's formal name in 1942. O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba of Japan was credited with it's formation. He later perfected the techniques by addiing a religious philosphy.

Aikido translated is "the way of unifying with life energy". The term aiki describes the principle of blending with an attack and redirecting it. Optimal rythm and timing help the martial artist defend the attack and apply a counter technique. This could involve a strike, throw, or joint manipulation.

Traditionally, Aikido can be considered a grappling art. Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu. Documents from Ueshiba's early students give the art the term aiki-jujutsu.

Different approaches to the style are used by more senior students. This largeley depends on when they studied with Ueshiba. This has subsequently led to many different styles and broad interpretations being taught all over the world. One commonality of all the different approaches is that they all share a common concern for the attacker. While praised by some, others criticize this aspect of Aikido.

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Aikido Description

Founder: Morihei Ueshiba

"At about the age of 14 or 15. First I learned Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu from Tokusaburo Tozawa Sensei, then Kito-ryu, Yagyu-ryu, Aioi-ryu, Shinkage-ryu, all of them jujutsu forms. However, I thought there might be a true form of budo elsewhere. I tried Hozoin-ryu sojitsu and kendo. But all of these arts are concerned with one-to-one combat forms and they could not satisfy me. So I visited many parts of the country seeking the Way and training, but all in vain. ... I went to many places seeking the true budo. Then, when I was about 30 years old, I settled in Hokkaido. On one occasion, while staying at Hisada Inn in Engaru, Kitami Province, I met a certain Sokaku Takeda Sensei of the Aizu clan. He taught Daito-ryu jujutsu. During the 30 days in which I learned from him I felt something like an inspiration. Later, I invited this teacher to my home and together with 15 or 16 of my employees became a student seeking the essence of budo."

Source: wikipedia

This art emphasizes on mastering martial arts so that one may receive an attack and harmlessly redirect it. In an ideal situation, not only is the receiver unharmed but so is the attacker.

Controlled relaxation, flexibility, and endurance, are often an emphasis of Aikido, with less emphasis on strength training. Pushing or extending movements are much more common than pulling or contracting movements. This distinction can be applied to general fitness goals for the Aikido practitioner.

Development of tone, mass, and power for muscles is not a focus of Aikido. Training emphasizes the use of coordinated whole body movement and balance similar to yoga or pilates. For example many dojo begin each class with warm-up exercises, which may include stretching and break falls.

Although strength, flexibility, increased energy and awareness can result from studying this art, it is not a necessary requirement. This is a reason many people can continue to practice the art's techniques well into later stages of life. Making this martial art unique compared to many other martial arts styles in that it's main philosophy is to not meet force with force. Instead, as said before, an absorbing force is applied to an attacking force.

Some shcools incorporate weapons training into thier cirriculum as it's often mimics the movements from Japanese sword fighting and spear fighting.

aikido, aikido symbol

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Benefits of Aikido

Enhances strength and stamina
Mental Health
Discipline
Increases awareness and reflexes
Develops internal energy and power

Aikido Videos

I love the re-directs in Akidido. The Aikido movements seem so seamless and natural. This is a great video demonstrating the fluidity of Aikido.

What kind of martial arts site would this be without a having at least one Steven Segal video? Cmon now... Here's a black belt test video with Steven Segal doing demonstrations.

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