Aikido
Aikido Word Aikido is a combination of Japanese letters or characters ai, ki, and do, meaning harmony or union, universal energy or spirit, and way or style, respectively. Accordingly Aikido can be translated as ?the way of the harmonious universal energy? or ?the spiritual union way? or something similar in meaning.
Aikido was developed as a martial art by Morihei Ueshiba who lived from 14 December 1883 to 26 April 1969. He is referred to by Aikido practitioners (who are called Aikidoka) as the 'O Sensei? ('Great Teacher'). Technically speaking Aikido can be considered a derivative of Jujutsu form Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu and of Japanese sword technique Kenjutsu. Korean martial art Hapkido (which uses the same characters in its name) is historically related to Akido through Daito-ryu. Aikido was also shaped by its founder?s spiritual philosophy which emphasizes compassion. As such it considers an outcome where both attacker and receiver are unharmed as the ideal result of any confrontation.
Due to all those reasons Ueshiba gained a following with Japanese military and political elite and attracted several gifted students who went on to create their own Aikido styles. Recently there has been a proliferation of Aikido styles. Of the variety of Aikido styles now practiced, Aikikai (which is the largest), Yoshinkan, Yoseikan, Shodokan Aikido, Ki Society, and Iwama, are considered the major ones. Aikido came to the west in 1950s.
Techniques Aikido techniques are characterized by their aim of controlling an attacker through flexibility, redirection, and blending, rather than by blocking or by deploying an opposing force. Many aikidoka make use of the parallel of willow tree bending in the face of the strong winds to survive, as opposed to inflexible oak tree which will end up uprooted or broken, to explain their techniques. Aikido makes use of variety of joint locks, strikes, and body throws, for this purpose. When competently used, the aikidoka can quickly establish control over the attacker while causing as little harm as possible to both, regardless of their respective strengths.
Given its origins in Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu and Kenjutsu with their training in yari or spear, jo or short quarterstaff, juken or bayonet, and especially sword, it is no surprise that many of the techniques, movements, and strikes, of Aikido resemble weapon attacks, even when they do not require weapons to perform.
Training Different Aikido styles and organizations use different training methods. However in most training methods both uke or the attacker, who will be in the receiving end of the aikido technique deployed, as well as nage who will perform the technique, have important roles to play, and harmonious cooperation between them is emphasized instead of competition and sparing. This is done both for philosophical and safety reasons.
Physical training concentrates more on movement of body, flexibility, balance, and endurance, than on developing muscle strength and power. Mentally the training aims to develop the ability to keep a relaxed mind in highly stressful situations. Practicing through jiyuwaza and randori (or multiple attacks and free style sparing), are also essential parts of most advanced training programs. Especially since competence in those techniques are requirements for obtaining higher rankings. Exact requirement for each belt ranking differ depending on the particular Aikido style.