Aikido Techniques

Aikido is one of the oldest types of martial arts. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido came about through the studies of several different kinds of long-established martial art forms. In truth, it is often viewed as a kind of exercise or a dance on account of some of its forms and movements. It is also viewed by some people as a kind of martial arts mesmerism. Despite its numerous apparent forms, aikido is without doubt a Budo or martial arts. It is the fine-tuning of the techniques that are taught in traditional martial arts that are combined with a attitude that calls on the influence of the spirit. In its fundamental nature, it is a blending of the body and the mind.

Aikido is furthermore used as a way to realize our true paths so that we can expand our individualism. It also teaches its practitioners to combine their body and their mind so that they will become in accord with the “universe” and with life itself.

Aikido’s actions and techniques are circular. When a circle is fashioned in aikido, the self is said to be sheltered from a collision from an opposite energy. A solid center, however, is desirable to form this circle. An example of a solid circle is a spinning top that turns at rapid tempo. Without a firm center, the velocity of movement will only produce one-sidedness. The stillness of the spinning top while in speeding motion is what is called sumikiri in Aikido language. This is achieved only by what Aikido founder calls “total clarity of mind and body.” However, this is not so easily achieved. It takes a whole lot of study and practice in order to find this intense concentration and centeredness.

Training is important in aikido as well as concentration as while it may be simple to generate a centered core when inside a martial arts gym, the same cannot be said of situations and circumstances outside. It will not be simple to maintain one’s equanimity when faced with unusual circumstances. This is in fact one of the goals of Aikido teaching. It aims to teach its practitioners to uphold their self-control and their centeredness even in situations that may seem startling to others

One process promoted in aikido is to inhale and exhale with what is named the seika tanden point. This is the part of the body that can be discovered just below the navel. Calm breathing is the key to becomming one with the universe and to center oneself with nature. As soon as someone learns how to do this, he or she will be aware of remarkable tranquillity that can be used in the training of aikido.

Aikido means "The Way of Harmony with the Spirit" and is a non-violent form of martial arts. However, don't be fooled into thinking it is a weak martial art. Aikido, if used correctly is exceptionally forceful and it's students are often able to impede and defuse physically powerful attacks and oppose them with an equivalent might.

Because of the spiritual and truth-seeking underpinnings of Aikido, principles of the martial art include ways to harmonize with the ki or spirit in oneself and the larger spirit of nature. The main beliefs of Aikido incorporate oneness, circular motion and ki.

Among the philosophical teachings of Aikido, one of the more fundamental and more significant factors is learning to control oneself. Maintaining an internal poise is necessary in order to harmonize with others and therefore enabling one to control an antagonist's strike by applying an effectual method. Strength of will is the key to achieving and maintaining this harmony.

The Principle of Oneness is another fundamental principle of Aikido. An aikidoka must be taught to become one with any situation. Becoming one means having an approach of deference for all objects and situations, friend or enemy. By training to become one with every condition, harmonization will ensue and it will become achievable for you to implement Aikido techniques, movements and forms accurately and powerfully.

It is said that defense is the best offense. In Aikido, to defend against an attack, you must learn to shift away from the reach of efficiency of the adversaries attack. Yet, as you try to defend by getting out of the opponent's effective reach, you must also try to maintain your own range of effectiveness in order to effectively counter attack your opponent.

You won't be able to give an effective counter attack if you step too far away from your opponent. Likewise, being too close would definitely lessen the effectiveness of your techniques. As an Aikido student, you have to quickly analyze the situation to decide in what way to keep away from your foe's reach whilst calculating your own.

Lastly, the Principle of Ki believes that all things in the universe are governed by spirit. Ki is essentially what many would call our own life force.  The power that moves us. Ki is also the power that binds the psyche and the body together in harmony. It is also the energy that harmonizes us with our environment. By finding a way to be in command of our Ki, we are able to merge our psyche and our body thereby creating effective actions and implementation of Aikido techniques.

Aikido concentrates on the distance, movement, velocity, and prediction of an assailant. By using unification, escalation and expansion techniques, the assault will be neutralized and by using your midpoint and hips, the equivalent sum of power can be applied to the assailant.  In Aikido, the spiraling and circular movements reflect what the martial art is: a fluid movement and blending of spirit and energy.