Special Techniques for the Aikido Student

Martial Arts is one of the contributions of Asia to thefighting strives for harmony and harmony can only be
world. Who can forget Bruce Lee and the fact that heachieved if there is grace in the movements. The
was first and foremost a martial arts athlete beforemoves maybe calculated but there is an air of finesse
being a movie star? Even until now martial arts is still ain doing these movements, not a womanly finesse but
big hit with the increasing popularity of Asian moviesjust a finesse that emanates peace. The art of peace
like crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and more recentlyas what they call in Aikido is one of the most positive
the House of the Flying Daggers.influences of Aikido to its students and to everyone
The Chinese are the first people that come to mindwho choose to know about this Japanese martial art.
when it comes to these things but the Japanese areSome of the techniques in Aikido include the following.
just as athletic with a rich heritage of body contactIkkyo is the first technique. Using this technique you
sports that can be found in their history. The moderncontrol an opponent by using one hand in holding the
Japan still gives honor to these things by holdingelbow and one near the wrist, this action is supposed
tournaments and promoting such sports abroad,to make you pin your opponent down in the ground.
One of these is Aikido. It is interesting to note that theNikyo the second technique is when you do an
word comes from three Japanese words from whichadductive wristlock that enables you to twist the arm
one can derive the meaning of the one word. Aiof your opponent that will in turn cause enough nerve
means joining, Ki means spirit and Do means way.pressure.
From this we can understand why Aikido is beyondThe third technique is Sankyo which is a pronating
just the physical skills of it students especially sin itstechnique that directs upward-spiraling tension
proponent Ueshiba focused more on the spiritual andthroughout the arm, elbow and shoulder. There are
philosophical development of his students.many other techniques but the first three should get
In Aikido, one is not taught violence instead one isyou started.
taught to be in harmony with the opponent to be ableIn studying Aikido, it is important to remember that
to defeat. This might seem odd but it actually works. Inalong with building physical strength to be able to
approaching an opponent, the aim of the Aikidodefeat your opponent the mental capacity should also
practitioner is to be one with the opponent to be ablebe developed. Just like in any art, it takes a lot of
to attack him where he is weakest and in doing sopractice and discipline to perfect the art of Aikido. The
diver or immobilize him but never to kill.important thing is the one who wants to get into the
This is where Aikido becomes an art. Art is somethingart should have determination to give honor to the art
beautiful to watch and something positive and Aikido isby performing it in the best way possible.
all that. At least one of the people involved in the