Is Aikido Effective For Self Defence?

Aikido can be effectively used as self defence inunaffected (like a cat), then you are ok... right?
a street attack situation, but only if you practiseSo, how sure are you that you can use Aikido as
in the correct way. Often instructors and studentsself defence against a violent attack?
studying the art are more focused on harmony,I am not trying to have a go at students or
balance, self discovery, and improving themselvesinstructors of Aikido, But, just to wake up those
as a person.who may be unrealistic and think they are safe.
In this way you learn how to use your skills, on aAfter all there is an increasing amount of street
daily basis, as you interact with other people. But,violence happening on a daily basis. Many people
it seems that the more martial side of Aikido isthink it always happens to someone else, and
pushed further and further away.assume it will not happen to them!
Don't get me wrong, I support and prefer theThere are other ways of practising Aikido, which I
instructors that are moving the art into the 21stdon't prefer, but I do recognise the need for.
century and using it for more practical purposes.That is when the attacks are as hard as your
Learning how to deal with difficult people in apartner can hit or grab. When you feel inside that
variety of uncomfortable situations is very useful.you have to make it work, or experience the
The Aikido dojo training atmosphere is also goodforce of the blow.
for challenging yourself and your emotions andYou can build this up over time, gradually
feelings. It brings your ego out into the open, soincreasing the power, speed, and even using
you can have a good look at it and change fordifferent angles of attack. In this way you can
the better.get a feeling of the type of stress you will be
But, When things do go wrong, you may getunder in a street attack scenario.
yourself into a difficult situation that you cannotIf you practise hard Aikido training and add some
resolve in a reasonable way, then you are goingsneaky street attacks, from a variety of
to need some sort of back up. When andifferent angles, then you are getting much closer
aggressor wants to tear your head off andto being able to defend yourself in an aggressive
permanently damage you... what then?situation.
The time for talking is over and you have toThis can be a little scary, but it will take you
either use a preemptive strike, or react to anearer to the edge of reality. Occasionally your
sudden aggressive attack... can you deal with it?block isn't good enough, or you didn't avoid the
Please remember that most of us are used to astrike fast enough. This tends to wake you up,
warm cosy feeling as we practise our Aikido selfgiving you the incentive to get it right or suffer
defence techniques. If you get your timing wrongthe consequences. It also develops your focus
and cannot block an attack in the dojo, will it reallyand concentration quickly, the same way
do that much damage... not likely!weapons training does!
In fact, a full on street attack is aggressive,This type of training is becoming less common,
violent and experts, who have experience ofbut an essential part of the complete Aikido
these types of situations, agree that it can freezeexperience. After all real Aikido self defence is
you in your tracks. Even if you are a seasonedsupposed to be 'martial' then 'art', not the other
student or instructor, can you really get past thatway round.
rush of adrenaline when you are in fear for yourBear in mind that a warrior should be able to
life.choose to use minimum force, which means that
Of, course, if you are one of those students orthey also have the skills to devastate an attacker,
instructors, who can calmly deal with suddenif the situation requires it.
stress, then go on with your day completelyHappy training, be safe, but be sure!