What is Aikido?
"Aikido is the principle of non-resistance. Because it is non-resistant it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thought are instantly vanquished."
Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
Aikido is a true budo or Martial way, developed early in the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). In Japanese, Aikido means "the way of harmony with the force of nature". Aikido evolved in the historic tradition of Japanese warrior arts, growing out of the "hard style" combative arts such as judo, jujutsu and sword fighting. Yet it offers more, studied in earnest it is a path for perfecting the spirit, a "way" to spiritual growth.
The movements of Aikido are designed to take the force directed aggressively at one by others and divert it. Often by doing this, the force of the aggressor acts as his or her own downfall. Unable to transfer their aggression to you, it overextends their motions and throws them off balance. Aikido then harmonizes with and neutralizes the aggressor's force, the attack being redirected into a throw or joint lock.
Aikido can also be a means of getting out of the way of an attack, without escalating the fight and without "punishing" the attacker. A decent goal and a different perspective for those who often see martial arts portrayed as arts of destruction.
Training involves physical, mental, ethical disciplines. It includes empty hand techniques, sword, stick and knife defenses. Aikido techniques are not based on pitting one's strength against another's. Students learn to defend themselves without exhibiting violent or aggressive behavior. Self esteem, concentration, awareness and focusing power, are enhanced. Unlike Western approaches to self-control, the Eastern perception acknowledges one's talents and weaknesses and develops them for the most harmonious individual outcome. Western approaches have developed along authoritarian lines of self-denial, self-abuse, conversion of personal freedom to subservience to human authority or the system.
Aikido has no contests. It is based on mutual respect, cooperation and friendship. It's philosophy, ideals and ethics are inseparable from actual Aikido training. Aikido is a logical conclusion of it's philosophy, since winning and losing are never a concern, students are free to dedicate their efforts to mutual goals. Each individual trains and progresses at his or her own pace finding harmony through personal development. After a period of time practice brings a sense of well being and self-confidence along with awareness that permeates all aspects of daily life. Training with people of different personalities, lifestyles, temperament, students learn to reconcile diverse points of view.
"Aikido is not for correcting others, but for correcting your own mind".
Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
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