Aikido is one of the oldest form of martial arts.

Founded by Morihei
Ueshiba, aikido came about through the studies of many different kinds of
traditional martial arts. In fact, is often perceived as a form of exercise or a
dance because of some of its forms. It is also viewed by some quarters as
some form of martial mesmerism.

What is aikido?

Despite its many perceived forms, aikido is a Budo or martial arts. It is the
refinement of the techniques that are being taught in traditional martial
arts and is combined with a philosophy that calls on for the power of the
spirit. In its essence, it is a blending of the body and the mind.

Its philosophy is basically derived from the belief that deceptions and
trickery or brute force will not make us defeat our opponents. Instead,
concentration that involves the spirit will be enough to strengthen us.

Aikido is also used as a way to discover our true paths so that we can
develop our individuality. It also teaches its practitioners to unify their body
and their mind so that they will become in harmony with the universe
and with nature. Their power and their strength will come from this
balance and harmony.

The word universe in aikido is not some obscure concept that one cannot
achieve. It is actually quite concrete and is even within the grasp of the
person. In aikido, universe can be achieved through actual experiences
and everyday life.


Aikidos movements and techniques are circular. When a circle is created in
aikido, the person is said to be protected from a collision from an opposing
force. A firm center, however, is needed to create this circle. An example of
a firm circle is a spinning top that turns at fast speed. Without a firm center,
the speed of movement will only create imbalance. The stillness of the
spinning top while in speeding motion is what is called sumikiri in Aikido
language. This is achieved only by what Aikido founder calls total clarity of
mind and body. However, this is not so easily achieved. It takes a long time
of study and practice in order to find this intense concentration and
centeredness.

Training is important in aikido as well as concentration because while it
may be easy to create a centered being when inside a martial arts gym, the
same cannot be said of situations and circumstances outside. It will not be
easy to keep ones composure when faced with extraordinary
circumstances. This is actually one of the goals of Aikido training. It aims to
teach its practitioners to maintain their composure and their centeredness
even in panic situations such as danger and calamities.

One method taught in aikido is to breathe with what is called the seika
tanden point. This is the part of the body that can be found two inches
below the navel. Controlled breathing is one key to being one with the
universe and to center oneself with nature. When a person learns to do
this, he or she will feel extraordinary calmness that they can use in the
practice of aikido.
Aikido in Everyday Life

The modern martial art from Japan called Aikido is often referred to as the
"art of peace" because it espouses a quick peaceful end to any form of
aggression. In the practice place of Aikido, usually called dojo, students will
be able to learn about flexibility and adaptation. Both of these are results of
a relaxed manner that Aikido students strive to embody.

The reason why being relaxed and calm is taught in Aikido practice is
because at the heart of its principles of spirituality and philosophy, Aikido
masters and instructors believe that the ki or ch'i or energy can only truly
flow in its complete potential energy when one is relaxed. It is in this
relaxed state that ki flows freely and smoothly. This philosophy that ki is a
force that is very strong and fundamental.



It is believed to be superior to muscle and physical strength, which
sometimes hinders the ki. In fact, in Aikido, instead of muscle and strength
building, flexibility and endurance is part of the Aikido martial art training.
Now, it said that to be able to truly harness the power of the ki, it must be
allowed to flow. It can only flow properly within us when we are in a
relaxed state. The relaxed state cannot be built like muscles through
exercise. A spiritual journey must be taken upon by an Aikido student to be
able to achieve the state of calm and peace that is vital in combat.

In constant defense and fear, we tend to be too busy to concentrate and
are easily distracted. Aikido stresses this fact and so it teaches its students
to remain calm in the face of an assault. Remaining calm puts an advantage
over the assailant because you will not be caught of guard and unaware
and therefore will not be toppled over or thrown. More advanced
techniques teach students not only to fall properly, but also to be able to
rebound and plant a counter attack as one rises from a fall.

Beyond combat and the dojo however, Aikido masters and instructors
cultivate the development of spirituality and character within Aikido
students so that they can apply Aikido principles everyday in life. True
understanding of Aikido simultaneously promotes better performance in
practice combats as well as in performance in everyday life.

Aikido everyday in life is akin to having an unshakable peace and calm that
enables you to have the strength needed to withstand even the toughest of
life's challenges. Remember that Aikido teaches students about flexibility,
adaptability, calm and clarity. All these are useful tools in dealing with life,
so say Aikido practitioners.

Some Aikido martial artists tend to relate Aikido combat principles to
everyday life like work, play and personal relationships. This results in a
true oneness in the practice of Aikido everyday in life. In Aikido training,
there is such a thing as uke and nage. One cannot exist without the other.
Uke makes an assault on nage and consequently is the receiver of the
Aikido technique which nage uses to neutralize uke's attack energy with. In
training using uke and nage, one will be able to get better in Aikido
techniques by learning from each other and gaining each others strengths
and battling each others weaknesses together.

If this is something that you want to cultivate in your life then Aikido
everyday in life is something that you might want to take up and learn.

A Basic Guide to Aikido

Aikido is a unique form of martial art. Its emphasis lies on the harmonious
fusion of mind and body with the natural laws of Nature. Aikido focuses on
accepting and respecting the energy of life and nature and channeling this
harmony onto techniques that expresses this energy in physical forms.

Aikido is often viewed as more of a defensive martial art since its
techniques and teachings are designed for you to avoid or get out of
trouble. On the contrary, Aikido's techniques are very powerful and
effective.

Basically, there are four levels of technique in Aikido training. These are

1. the katai which refers to the basic training and is intended to build
the foundation of body movements and breathing;

2. the yawarakai trains the defendant to deflect attacks and fuse
movements to take control of the attacker or situation;

3. the ki-no-nagare which involves training the defendant to defend or
counter attack by merging his movement with the attacker even
before the latter makes contact;

4. and the ki which is the absolute Aikido technique and involves
establishing a link of ki or spirit from the defender to the attacker.

When training for Aikido, you need a sparring partner. The uke and the
nage. The Uke is the initiator of the attack and receives the Aikido
techniques, while the Nage is the defender and the one that neutralizes the
attack.



The dynamics of Aikido's techniques

Due to the dynamic nature of Aikido, most experts say that there are no
definite "styles" or "techniques" in practicing the martial art. After the
development of aikido by Morihei Ueshiba, called "O Sensei," many
students were inspired to train under his tutelage.

After their training, the Great Teacher encouraged his students to put up
their own dojos so they can spread the tenets of his martial art. Aside from
encouraging them to set up dojos and share the knowledge he taught, he
also inspired them to develop their own styles and interpretations as long
as these techniques adhere to the basic principle of aikido, "not fighting
force with force."

The aikido founder reiterates this principle over and over again because the
techniques of aikido, when applied without care, can damage or kill instead
of diverting or immobilizing the opponent.

With the emergence of various dojos all over the world, more and more
techniques were born. Despite the differences in techniques in various
dojos, there is a set of the common techniques in which almost all dojos
use. Each of this technique is carefully taught to the student so he or she
can discover its strengths and weaknesses.

Although most people say that there should be no superior or inferior
technique, only the student or the individual practicing it can truly tell
which technique works well for him or her. Here is a list of the most
common aikido techniques practiced by almost all aikido practitioners in
dojos today:

1. "Ikkyo". Also known as the "first technique," ikkyo refers to the
control exercised using only one hand on the elbow and the other
one on near the wrist that leverages uke to the ground. This
technique uses a grip that can apply pressure into the ulnar nerve on
the medial side of the person's arm.

2. "Nikyo". This is referred to as the "second technique." Nikyo
involves the use of an adductive wristlock that loops the arm while
applying painful nerve pressure.

3. "Sankyo". This is also called the "third technique." Sankyo is known
as a "pronating" technique that directs upward-spiraling pressure
throughout the person's arm, elbow, and shoulder.

4. "Yonkyo". Is also popular as the "fourth technique." Just like iikkyo,
yonko is also a shoulder control but with requires the use of both
hands in gripping the forearm. The practitioner's knucklesusually
from the palm sideare applied to the opponent's radial nerve
against the forearm bone.

5. "Gokyo". This refers to a variant of ikkyo where the hand that grips
the wrist is inverted. Also known as the "fifth technique," gokyo is
common in tanto and other weapon take-aways.

6. "Shihonage". Here, the practitioner's hand is folded back past the
shoulder and locks the shoulder joint. This aikido technique is also
called the "four-direction throw."

7. "Kotegaeshi". This is popularly called the "wrist return." This aikido
technique is a characterized by a supinating wristlock-throw, which
stretches the person's extensor digitorum.

8. "Kokyonage". In English, this is translated to "breath throw." This
term is coined for various types of flowing "timing throws" in
duration of any aikido session.

9. "Iriminage". For aikido practitioners, this is known as the
"entering-body throw" or throws where nage moves through the
space occupied by uke. This is considered as a classic form that
resembles the "clothesline" technique.
10. "Tenchinage". A.k.a. the "heaven-and-earth throw." This
technique involves the uke grabbing both wrists of the nage. Moving
forward, the nage sweeps one hand low ("earth") and the other high
("heaven"), so he or she can unbalance the uke.

These are just basic techniques and from the list thousands of possible
implementations or combinations can be drawn by the aikidokas.

In Aikido, the strikes employed during the implementation of the Aikido
technique are called atemi. For beginners, grabs are the first ones to be
taught. It is safer and the aikidoka can easily feel the energy flowing from
the uke to the nage.

Among the basic grab techniques are

- the katate-dori or single-hand-grab which involves using one hand to
grab one wrist;

- morote-dori or both-hands-grab which uses both hands to grab one
wrist;

- ryote-dori another both-hands-grab technique wherein both hands
are used to grab both wrists;

- kate-dori or the shoulder-grab technique;

- and the mune-dori or chest-grab which involves grabbing the clothing
of the chest of the attacker.

Mastering each technique involves discipline and dedication. To be a good
aikidoka, one must master both the techniques and principle of the marital
art.

The first step in learning this martial art will be to enroll in a dojo. The
person can look at the directory to find the nearest one to the home and
then choose to sign up if the rates are affordable.

The student will then be taught the rules, how to wear the uniform and
then the proper moves in each stroke. The individual should not expect to
get it right on the first day but eventually do better in the coming days.

The person should remember that Aikido unlike other martial arts can only
be used for defensive purposes. Usually when the suspect has failed in the
attack, this person will run so the individual should not give chase but
rather get help.

It is only with practice sparring with a partner or even doing the same thing
in competition that both the mind and the body can be conditioned to
engage an attacker in combat.