| With the visible convergence of East and West | | | | techniques but can also play a major role in the |
| cultures, more and more people are discovering and | | | | enhancement of the practitioner's moral and spiritual |
| rediscovering new means self-discipline especially in | | | | aspects eventually leading them to place greater |
| the field of martial arts. One of these means is called | | | | weight on the development and achievement of |
| "Aikido," a very popular Japanese martial art. | | | | peace and harmony. In fact, because of the great |
| KNOWING AIKIDO | | | | emphasis in the development of harmony and peace, |
| "Do not fight force with force," this is the most basic | | | | seasoned aikido practitioners say that "the way of |
| principle of Aikido. Considered as one of the | | | | harmony of the spirit" is one phrase that could describe |
| non-aggressive styles in martial arts, Aikido has | | | | or translate the term "aikido" in English. |
| become popular because it doesn't instigate or | | | | Just like any other martial art, aikido has various |
| provoke any attack. Instead, the force of the attacker | | | | techniques 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 small | | | | return, "kokyunage" or the "breath throw," "iriminage" or |
| role. What's important is the skilled Aikido practitioner is | | | | the 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 traced | | | | the "kaitennage" or the rotation throw." |
| when Morihei Ueshiba discovered and developed its | | | | Although aikido is not about punching or kicking the |
| principle of aikido. Known as "O Sensei" or the "Great | | | | opponent, it is not considered as a static art. It is still a |
| Teacher," Ueshiba made sure to develop a martial art | | | | very effective means of martial arts because it |
| that is based on a purely physical level using | | | | requires the aikido practitioner to use the energy of |
| movements like throws, joint locks and techniques | | | | their opponent so they can gain control over them. |
| derived from another martial arts like "Jujitsu" and | | | | When 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 developed | | | | technique but can also serve a means of spiritual |
| mainly from "daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu" while incorporating | | | | enlightenment, physical health or exercise or a simple |
| several training movements similar to the "yari" or | | | | means of attaining peace of mind, concentration, and |
| "spear, "jo" or a short "quarterstaff" and from "juken" | | | | serenity. |
| or "bayonet". Although these jujitsu movements are | | | | Although different aikido styles gives great emphasis |
| prominent while practicing the martial art, many | | | | on the spiritual aspects to varying levels-some to |
| practitioners agree that strongest influences of aikido is | | | | greater 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 major | | | | harmony remains the most basic ideology of the |
| principles of Aikido, Ueshiba emphasized that the | | | | martial art. |
| martial art does not only pertain to self-defense | | | | |