| Aikido is an amazing martial art that was founded | | | | the attacker (uke), or the defender (nage), on the |
| by Master Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). He was | | | | training mat, or in Life. Sometimes it is important |
| one of the greatest martial artists who ever lived, | | | | to attack, while at other times it is important to |
| and also a man of peace. He taught that there is | | | | relax during an attack. You can allow it to happen, |
| always a way to blend with an attackers energy | | | | and then redirect that energy in a more |
| and take control of difficult situations. Aikido | | | | harmonious direction. |
| teaches you how to deal with any verbal or | | | | You can either be pro-active and go for your |
| physical confrontation in a more harmonious way. | | | | goals in life, OR be re-active and wait for them to |
| This allows you to find the best possible solution | | | | come to you... which never happens - Right? So, if |
| to any physical, emotional or spiritual problem that | | | | you are not attacking life, life is attacking you... |
| may come up in your life. | | | | and you know what that means. Life is constantly |
| In Aikido practise, you are usually either | | | | throwing difficult situations at you, trying to push |
| performing a technique or receiving it. In this way | | | | you off balance and take you off centre. |
| you experience both the positive and negative | | | | When uke attacks the first thing you should do is |
| extremes of winning and losing. This teaches you | | | | breathe deeply and relax, allow it to happen. The |
| all about the natural flow of energy, and how to | | | | next thing to do is stand strong, have faith in |
| accept what life throws at you. You can see this | | | | yourself, trust and believe that the decisions you |
| as life lessons that develop your experience and | | | | choose are correct. |
| character. | | | | It is important to extend your intention right |
| It is important to attack your dreams and desires | | | | through life, and keep moving forwards. Aikido is |
| the same way you would attack on the training | | | | a template for life and life is a template for |
| mat. If there is something you want to achieve in | | | | Aikido, so... breathe deeply, relax and enjoy your |
| life then you have to take massive action and | | | | practise of Aikido and life. |
| attack that goal. You can be in either the role of | | | | |