| One of the most unique martial arts in existence is | | | | properly deflect attacks and how to use the power of |
| Aikido. Aikido focuses on the combination of the | | | | the attacker in order to control the events that occur. |
| powers of the mind and body as well as the forces of | | | | The third technique is the ki-no-nagare which places an |
| nature. The art respects the energies of life and nature | | | | emphasis on teaching the defendant on how to |
| and directs these energies physically by channeling | | | | protect themselves and align properly with the |
| them harmoniously. Aikido was founded by Morihei | | | | movements of an attacker before the attacker |
| Ueshiba of Japan sometime around the earlier parts of | | | | makes contact. Ki is the final Aikido technique and it |
| the 20th century. The art is based on circular | | | | focuses on linking the ki or spirit of the defender and |
| movements as well as the talents of Morihei Ueshiba | | | | the attacker. |
| who was an extraordinary swordsman and a skilled | | | | Anyone who is training for Aikido requires a sparring |
| practitioner of the martial art of Daitoryu Aiki-Jujitsu. | | | | partner. The practice and training in Aikido takes two |
| Aikido isn't just a form of physical defense but rather a | | | | people and these are the Uke and the Nage. The Uke |
| way of life. By defining your life through this martial art | | | | is seen as the initiator of the attacks while the Nage is |
| you gain better skill, dexterity, concentration and a long | | | | the person who defends from any incoming attacks. |
| lasting sense of peace of mind. The art of Aikido | | | | Some of the basic Aikido techniques that are included |
| makes the physical use of body movements as well | | | | in training include the Ikky which is carried out by putting |
| as an internal energy known as Ki rather than focusing | | | | one hand on the elbow and the other by the wrist. By |
| on the use of energy and brute strength to protect | | | | doing this you give the defender the opportunity to |
| yourself from your attacker. Aikido is often seen as a | | | | wrest the attacker towards the ground. The next |
| form of defense since its primary aims are created in | | | | move is the niky and this move provides the Nage |
| order to protect you from harm and keep you free | | | | with the ability to grip the Uke by using a wristlock and |
| from trouble. However the techniques of this art are | | | | drawing in. Sanky makes use of a rotating technique in |
| quite powerful and efficient at the same time. | | | | order to manipulate the entire arm including the elbow |
| Primarily four basic techniques exist in the practice of | | | | and shoulder region. The Yonky is a technique for |
| Aikido. The first of these techniques is the katai | | | | controlling the shoulders by making use of both hands |
| technique, this one focuses on your basic body | | | | in order to grip the forearm region. One other |
| movements and breathing patterns, the second is the | | | | technique is the Goky which is the variant of Ikky |
| Yawarakai which teaches the defendant how to | | | | technique. |