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