| y"> | | | | haku (the lower self). We study kon (the higher |
| Over the last number of years aikido has gained | | | | self/the spirit). We must advance by harmoniously |
| large amounts of popularity... So is it the martial | | | | uniting the higher and lower selves. The higher self |
| art for you? Well let's look at aikido in a little more | | | | must make use of the lower self." |
| detail to find out... | | | | The one thing aikido is NOT is a martial art like |
| Aikido means "way of harmony of ki". It was | | | | karate or tae-kwon-do. Martial arts like those |
| developed by Morihei Ushiba over the period of | | | | focus a lot on self-defense and striking techniques. |
| the 1930s to the 1960s. The name "Aikdio" | | | | Where as aikido focuses more on the mind |
| comes from three Japanese words: | | | | aspect of the art. Because it was founded on the |
| Ai - union/harmony.ki - universal energy/spirit.do - | | | | basis of spirituality, it still tends to be a very |
| way. | | | | spiritual martial art and overall experience. |
| It can and is translated as, "'the way to union with | | | | When it come to self-defense and learning actual |
| universal energy". One of the main practical | | | | techniques that will work on the street in a |
| applications of this fact is in how people are | | | | situation where you are being attacked, aikido |
| trained to defend against an attacker. | | | | does offer some great skills. But you have to |
| Aikido's techniques are designed to harmonize with | | | | remember, its focus is on throws and joint locks. |
| an attack by redirecting the energy instead of | | | | There is a BIG emphasis on trying not to hurt |
| blocking it. An analogy is often made of the way | | | | your attacker or opponent. |
| a flexible willow bends with the storm, whereas | | | | How Do You Know If Aikido Is The Right Martial |
| the stout oak will break if the wind blows too | | | | Art For You? |
| hard. | | | | That is a very good question to ask! If you are |
| Aikido incorporates a wide range of techniques | | | | more into the spiritual side martial arts, this one |
| which use principles of energy and motion to | | | | will be right up your alley. You will learn a lot about |
| redirect, neutralize and control attackers. | | | | yourself and about spirituality. But if you want to |
| It is said that the "Great Teacher" once | | | | get in great shape and learn how to defend |
| commented - "There is no set form in Aikido. | | | | yourself... You might want to look at another |
| There is no set form, it is the study of the spirit. | | | | martial art. |
| One must not get caught up in set form, because | | | | Aikido is great but it takes many, many years to |
| in doing so, one is unable to perform the function | | | | get good at it and it does lack the practical side |
| sensitively. In Aikido, first we begin with the | | | | of self-defense training that other martial arts |
| cleansing of the ki of one's soul. Following this, the | | | | offer. Your best bet is to checkout your local |
| rebuilding of one's spirit is essential. Through the | | | | training school and see for yourself if aikido is the |
| physical body, the performance of kata is that of | | | | right martial art for you! |