What’s Aikido?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aikido (合気道, aikdo), is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba.

His goal was to create art practitioners who could defend themselves without injuring their attacker.

In addition to physical fitness and technique, mental training, controlled relaxation, and development of "life energy" or "spirit" (ki) are emphasized in training

The word aikido is formed of three Japanese characters,

· 合 − ai - joining, harmonizing

· 気 − ki - spirit, life energy

· 道 − dō - way, path

Aiki is a martial arts principle or tactic which describes an idea of joining together in the midst of combat. That is understanding the rhythm and intent of the opponent in order to find the optimal position and timing to apply a technique.

Ueshiba declared, "To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace."

General training

Aikido training emphasizes the use of coordinated whole-body movement and balance.

Training begin with warm-up exercises (準備体操, junbi taisō), which include stretching.

Training is based on pre-arranged forms (kata), practiced by two persons together rather than freestyle practice. The basic pattern is for the receiver of the technique (uke) to initiate an attack against the thrower (投げ nage, also referred to as 取り tori,), who neutralises this attack with an aikido technique.

Uke and nage are considered essential to aikido training. Both are studying aikido principles. Nage learns to control attacking energy, while uke learns to become calm and flexible in the disadvantageous, off-balance positions. Uke continuously seeks to regain balance, while nage uses position and timing to keep uke off-balance

We often practice techniques from grabs, because it is easier to feel the energy and lines of force of an attacker.

Aikido training is mental as well as physical, emphasizing the ability to relax the mind and body even under the stress of dangerous situations.

As a martial art concerned not only with fighting proficiency but also with the betterment of daily life, this mental aspect is of key importance to aikido practitioners.

Uniforms and ranking

The uniform worn for practicing is similar to the training uniform used in most other martial arts; simple trousers and a wraparound jacket. Both thick ("judo-style"), and thin ("karate-style") cotton tops are used.

White belts and black belts are used to distinguish rank.

We also use a pair of wide pleated black or indigo trousers called a hakama, which is reserved for black belt rankers

Students progress through a series of testing procedures from "grades" (kyū) to "degrees" (dan).