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