Aikido

Henry Ellis Co-Author of Positive Aikido and an early pioneer of Aikido in Britain from 1957, he was also a direct student of the legendary master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985. In this article he questions the direction of much of the Aikido we see today. he accepts that there is still some good Aikido Dojos whilst many others have been watered down and are becoming quasi religious as opposed to a martial art. Is Aikido a Martial Art? Sensei Henry Ellis - 2001 This article originally appeared in 3 parts on the Cyberkwoon website. It is here published in its entirety. PART 1 At first sight of the above title I am sure that a lot of Aikidoist's will be angry, they...

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) founded the Aikido, The Art of Peace. He was no stranger to battle and conflict having served in the Russo-Japanese war. He also saw action in several battles in Mongolia. He claimed to have had three visions which led him to promote a different kind of attitude toward warriorship and humanity. The first was in 1925 at the age of 42. Ueshiba was in a bar when a drunk kept trying to provoke a confrontation. O-Sensei tried to ignore the lout but the man continued to harass Ueshiba and the other patrons. Morihei was about to put a stop to this drunken display when he was quietly informed that the troublesome man was a fairly high-ranking member of the Royal family...

rst sight of the above title I am sure that a lot of Aikidoist's will be angry, they will assume that this is yet another attack on the credibility of Aikido by other martial artist's. On this occasion they are totally wrong, I have been a student of Aikido since 1956, In those early days I first started Judo in 1955 at the Kenshiro Abbe School of Budo, I studied Karate with Harada Sensei and Kendo with Tomio O'Tani Sensei, so with my background I feel that I have something to offer to this debate. First Impressions The Aikido that I first saw being demonstrated by Abbe Sensei in 1956 was without doubt a positive martial art. I was immediately impressed by its positive techniques and power, and in...

Part Three: Q-DW: With all the years of hard training and instruction going up through the kyu grades what was the final path to your first dan ? A-SE: I was always fortunate that not only did I receive personal instruction and guidance directly from Sensei Williams and my own Sensei, and all the dan grades previously mentioned. I also think that being assistant instructor to the beginners class from 7th to 4th kyu, I was able to form a good practicing relationship with a small select group of students who all later became the second generation of " HUT" dan grades. The group was made up of people like Ron James at 6ft 5ins tall and about 250 lbs seemed like a giant to me as a boy. He never took...

Final Part Four: Relocating and Leaving the HUT. Q: DW. Sensei, You told me earlier that this was around the time you got married and moved away from the HUT and the locality. Could you expand on this time. A: SE. Yes, After I married I moved to Basingstoke in Hampshire. My work involved a lot of traveling as I was working on the drilling rigs, drilling for Gas in the English Channel just off the River Humber. I would also take the opportunity to visit local Aikido clubs and train whenever possible. I later found work nearer home in 1969, I renewed my contact and friendship with Trevor Jones who had also married and now lived in Camberley Surrey only 10 miles from my home. He told me he had recently...

The name aikido is formed of three Japanese characters, normally romanised as ai, ki and do. They are frequently translated as meaning union, universal energy and way, so aikido may be translated as "the way to union with universal energy". An additional common interpretation of the characters is harmony, spirit and way, so aikido can also mean "the way of spiritual harmony". Both interpretations draw awareness to the fact that aikido's methods are designed to control an attacker by controlling and redirecting his or her energy rather than blocking it. An analogy is frequently made of the way in which a flexible willow bends with the storm whereas the stout oak may break when the wind blows too hard...

The study of martial arts has become increasingly popular among people young and old, male and female. This is because the practice is a holistic, whole body workout that does more than any simple cardiovascular or strength training routine could do alone. In choosing the right practice for you, the choices can be overwhelming. However, one practice stands out from other combative sports: Aikido. What makes this art unique? Aikido Philosophy In the Encyclopedia of Aikido, Stanley Pranin defines the word as a "way of combining forces." He goes on to say that this force "refers to the concept of blending physically and mentally with the attacker [as well as] the perception and nullification of an...

Aikido is among the oldest and most widely-used martial-arts forms in the world. It is being taught for many years as a kind of self defense and protection. It's also a route for folk to learn centeredness and balance in their lives. Aikido is a kung fu abilities form that requires continuous practice and dedicated study for it doesn't only teach you self defense, it also teaches you discipline. This is the explanation for why it is important for you to find a school that will not only teach you the fundamentals but will also nurture your budding talent. Though all aikido training schools will be teaching the same set of tricks and methods, there are schools which should give you better coaching...

What is the reality when confronted with a violent street attack? Learn easy Aikido moves that can save you from trouble in times of need! Quite often, before a physical attack, comes a verbal attack, which can completely shock you. When you are verbally attacked, it can be very intimidating, and can completely freeze you in your tracks. Why? Well, it is nothing like the relaxed training you may be experiencing in the comfort of a nice cosy training hall. In the dojo you may be practising dozens of complex techniques, that are very effective in that setting... but they are unlikely to work in the street! Why? Well in the dojo, the fear level is reduced, and you are unlikely to have any adrenaline...