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Aikido
Modern Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1882-1968),
known as O'Sensei (Great Teacher). Ueshiba was a gifted student of many
traditional Japanese fighting arts. Eventually though, he found the
martial aspect alone wanting; one-sided and unfulfilling, born of conflict
and based on a win or lose philosophy. After witnessing the destruction
that ended World War II, he saw more clearly than ever the futility of
conflict and fighting. Thus evolved in his mind an ideal Do (way) of
peaceful resolution, employing the unification of energies (or harmonious
interaction) instead of opposition. The culmination of his life's work was
the martial art he called Aikido.
The word Aikido is actually three Japanese words: Ai, Ki, Do that broadly
translate as: the way (Do) of harmony (Ai) with the forces of nature (Ki).
which means "the way of harmony of mind and spirit."
On a technical level Aikido is comprised of
throws and pins, using the energy of the attack to unbalance the attacker.
The Aikidoka (student of Aikido) harmonizes with, rather than confronts,
an aggressive line and converts it into a circular motion that renders
attackers helpless. Instead of using potentially crippling kicks or
punches, the Aikidoka trains to apply various wrist locks, arm pins, or
unbalancing throws to neutralize aggressors without serious injury. On a
philosophical level Aikido chooses not to injure or destroy the opponent,
but to apply the necessary amount of force to end a situation. Aikido
technique requires little strength, and has as its goal the control rather
than the defeat of misguided aggressors.The true benefits of Aikido training are the principles stressed in every traditional Aikido Dojo: calmness, dynamic movement, concentration, fearlessness, and compassion. These are the positive human qualities which Aikido students seek to manifest day to day, in every situation