| Aikido is one of the oldest form of martial | | | | |
| arts. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido came | | | | Aikido's movements and techniques are |
| about through the studies of many different | | | | circular. When a circle is created in aikido, |
| kinds of traditional martial arts. In fact, | | | | the person is said to be protected from a |
| is often perceived as a form of exercise or a | | | | collision from an opposing force. A firm |
| dance because of some of its forms. It is | | | | center, however, is needed to create this |
| also viewed by some quarters as some form of | | | | circle. An example of a firm circle is a |
| martial mesmerism. Aikido is even confused | | | | spinning top that turns at fast speed. |
| with Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, it is different in | | | | Without a firm center, the speed of movement |
| its essence. Still, its founder attributed | | | | will only create imbalance. The stillness of |
| his creation of aikido to the way, his master | | | | the spinning top while in speeding motion is |
| Sokaku Takeda, grandmaster of Daito Ryu, | | | | what is called sumikiri in Aikido language. |
| opened his eyes to the nature of Budo. What | | | | This is achieved only by what Aikido founder |
| is aikido? | | | | calls "total clarity of mind and body." |
| | | | However, this is not so easily achieved. It |
| Despite its many perceived forms, aikido is a | | | | takes a long time of study and practice in |
| Budo or martial arts. It is the refinement of | | | | order to find this intense concentration and |
| the techniques that are being taught in | | | | centeredness. |
| traditional martial arts and is combined with | | | | |
| a philosophy that calls on for the power of | | | | Training is important in aikido as well as |
| the spirit. In its essence, it is a blending | | | | concentration because while it may be easy to |
| of the body and the mind. Its philosophy is | | | | create a centered being when inside a martial |
| basically derived from the belief that | | | | arts gym, the same cannot be said of |
| deceptions and trickery or brute force will | | | | situations and circumstances outside. It will |
| not make us defeat our opponents. Instead, | | | | not be easy to keep one's composure when |
| concentration that involves the spirit will | | | | faced with extraordinary circumstances. This |
| be enough to strengthen us. | | | | is actually one of the goals of Aikido |
| | | | training. It aims to teach its practitioners |
| Aikido is also used as a way to discover our | | | | to maintain their composure and their |
| true paths so that we can develop our | | | | centeredness even in panic situations such as |
| individuality. It also teaches its | | | | danger and calamities. |
| practitioners to unify their body and their | | | | |
| mind so that they will become in harmony with | | | | One method taught in aikido is to breathe |
| the "universe" and with nature. Their power | | | | with what is called the seika tanden point. |
| and their strength will come from this | | | | This is the part of the body that can be |
| balance and harmony. The word "universe" in | | | | found two inches below the navel. Controlled |
| aikido is not some obscure concept that one | | | | breathing is one key to being one with the |
| cannot achieve. It is actually quite concrete | | | | universe and to center oneself with nature. |
| and is even within the grasp of the person. | | | | When a person learns to do this, he or she |
| In aikido, "universe" can be achieved through | | | | will feel extraordinary calmness that they |
| actual experiences and everyday life. | | | | can use in the practice of aikido. |