| Aikido is a Budo ( Japanese Martial art ) essentially | | | | aggression. In fact, in the true spirit of Aikido, there is no |
| created for defensive purposes. It was founded by | | | | combat, since it stops before it can even begin. |
| Morihei Ueshiba in the course of the 20th century | | | | Accordingly, there isn't really any kind of Aikido |
| between the 1930's and 1960's( officially recognized by | | | | competition except in certain styles like the Tomiki. |
| the Japanese government in 1940 under the name of | | | | Aikido is practiced by men and women of all shapes |
| Aikibudo)and based on ancient disciplines like Jujutsu, | | | | and sizes. The goal of the practice is to improve one's |
| Daito Ryu, fencing and Aikijutsu. The Master's vision | | | | self and to progress technically, physically and mentally. |
| was to create a martial art that would allow for one to | | | | Only techniques that respect the opponent are taught |
| defend himself against any type of adversary with no | | | | and demonstrated. Particularly complexes Aikido |
| violence or as little as possible. | | | | maneuvers require a high technical level of skill to be |
| The Aikido discipline is composed of bare handed | | | | applied in a real combat situations. Regardless, Aikido |
| techniques whose objectives are to use the | | | | teaches to prepare yourself physically (flexibility, speed, |
| opponent's force and aggression to your own | | | | muscle mass) as well as mentally (stay calm under all |
| advantage. The techniques aim not to conquer the | | | | circumstances) and technically (respect safe distance, |
| adversary but to render him harmless. Aikido can be | | | | find the opening, body position) in order to respond to a |
| considered as the genuine and basic concept of self | | | | variation of possible hostile situations one might face in |
| defense: a calculated and proportionate reaction to | | | | daily life including but not limited to martial arts. |