Knowing the Inside of Aikido

With the visible convergence of East and Westtechniques but can also play a major role in the
cultures, more and more people are discovering andenhancement of the practitioner's moral and spiritual
rediscovering new means self-discipline especially inaspects eventually leading them to place greater
the field of martial arts. One of these means is calledweight on the development and achievement of
"Aikido," a very popular Japanese martial art.peace and harmony. In fact, because of the great
KNOWING AIKIDOemphasis in the development of harmony and peace,
"Do not fight force with force," this is the most basicseasoned aikido practitioners say that "the way of
principle of Aikido. Considered as one of theharmony of the spirit" is one phrase that could describe
non-aggressive styles in martial arts, Aikido hasor translate the term "aikido" in English.
become popular because it doesn't instigate orJust like any other martial art, aikido has various
provoke any attack. Instead, the force of the attackertechniques that include ikkyo or the "first technique,"
is redirected into throws, locks, and several restraining"nikyo" or the "second technique," "sankyo," or the "third
techniques.technique," "yonkyo" or the "fourth technique," the
Since aikido uses very few punches and kicks, the"gokyo" or the "fifth technique," the "shihonage" or the
size, weight, age, and physical strength of the"four-direction throw," the "kotegaeshi" or the wrist
participants or the opponents only partake only a smallreturn, "kokyunage" or the "breath throw," "iriminage" or
role. What's important is the skilled Aikido practitioner isthe entering-body throw, "tenchinage" or the
skilled enough to redirect his or her attacker's energy"heaven-and-earth throw," "koshinage," or the "hip
while keeping him or her in a constant of unbalance.throw," "jujinage" or the "shaped-like-'ten'-throw," and
The history of Aikido as a martial art can be tracedthe "kaitennage" or the rotation throw."
when Morihei Ueshiba discovered and developed itsAlthough aikido is not about punching or kicking the
principle of aikido. Known as "O Sensei" or the "Greatopponent, it is not considered as a static art. It is still a
Teacher," Ueshiba made sure to develop a martial artvery effective means of martial arts because it
that is based on a purely physical level usingrequires the aikido practitioner to use the energy of
movements like throws, joint locks and techniquestheir opponent so they can gain control over them.
derived from another martial arts like "Jujitsu" andWhen you will look at the martial art closely, you will
"Kenjutsu."realize that aikido is not only a means of self-defense
Technically, aikido was stemmed out and developedtechnique but can also serve a means of spiritual
mainly from "daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu" while incorporatingenlightenment, physical health or exercise or a simple
several training movements similar to the "yari" ormeans of attaining peace of mind, concentration, and
"spear, "jo" or a short "quarterstaff" and from "juken"serenity.
or "bayonet". Although these jujitsu movements areAlthough different aikido styles gives great emphasis
prominent while practicing the martial art, manyon the spiritual aspects to varying levels-some to
practitioners agree that strongest influences of aikido isgreater or lesser degrees-the idea that the martial arts
that of kenjutsu.was conceptualized in order to achieve peace and
When he finally developed the minor and majorharmony remains the most basic ideology of the
principles of Aikido, Ueshiba emphasized that themartial art.
martial art does not only pertain to self-defense