Founding Principles of Aikido
Morihei Ueshiba, now known as O-sensei to the world of Aikido, founded the martial art. An O-sensei is a master of Jujitsu or unarmed combat, Kinjitsu or sword combat, and sojitsu or spear combat and is well-versed in philosophical and religious teachings.
Because of the religious and philosophical foundations of Aikido, goals of this martial art include ways to harmonize with the ki or spirit within oneself and to become one with the larger spirit of nature. A very important aspect of Aikido includes the principles of oneness and the understanding of circular motion and ki.
"Eight forces sustain creation:
Movement and stillness,
Solidification and fluidity,
Extension and contraction,
Unification and division."
from the Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba.
While the martial art of Aikido recognizes the need to defend oneself against attack, its basic philosophical teaching is the knowledge to control oneself. By maintaining an inner balance one can harmonize with others. This enables the student of Aikido to control an opponent's attack or apply an effective technique. Self-control is the key to achieve and maintain harmony. It is the disappearance of anger and the return of detached love... that leads to inner peace and control.
The Principle of Oneness. An aikidoka (practitioner of Aikido) must learn to become one with any situation. Becoming one means having an attitude of respect for all things and situations - friend or foe. By training to become one with every situation, harmonization will follow and it will become possible to execute Aikido techniques, movements and forms accurately and efficiently.
Harmony or Synthesis* and the Spiritual Circle** which is the foundation of all Aikido techniques. Aikido is a combination of circular movements. Circular movement allyou to harmonize or synthesize everything and thus freely resolve all problems. As you perform Aikido's techniques and movements notice how everything revolves around the concept of circular motions. When an opponent attacks, the aikidoka uses a circular motion of the lower abdomen to control the attack and execute Aikido techniques to counterattack. There is also a relationship between the cicular motions of Aikido and the more universal principes of circular motion. Notice the harmony that physicists notice in the circular motions of the planets and stars and galaxies...
Range of Effectiveness. It is said that defense is the greatest offense. In Aikido, to properly defend an attack, one must learn to move away from the range of effectiveness of the opponent's attack. However, as you apply the strategy of getting out of the opponent's effective range, you must also try to maintain your own range of effectiveness in order to counterattack efficiently.
You won't be able to advance an effective counterattack, if you stepped too far away from your opponent. Similarly, being too close can also lessen the effectiveness of your techniques. Everything will depend on the situation. As an Aikido practitioner, you must learn to determine how to avoid your opponent's range while controlling your own in various situations. Each moment in a confrontation becomes a dynamic one as you gauge your spacing.
The Principle of Ki involves believing that every thing in the universe is governed by a force or spirit. Ki is the essence of our world. Ki is also the energy of our life force. Ki is the force that binds the mind and the body. It is the energy that harmonizes us to our surroundings. By learning to control our Ki, we will be able to unify our mind and our body maximizing efficient movements and execution of Aikido techniques.
Aikido focuses on the distance, motion, speed, and projection of an attacker. By using blending, spiraling, and extension techniques, the attack will be neutralized. By using one's centeredness and hips, the same amount of force can be applied to the attacker. In Aikido, the spiraling and circular movements reflect what the martial art is: a fluid and flowing movement of spirit and energy.
*Synthesis = the combining of parts or elements so as to form a whole. which is a foundation of all Aikido techniques synthesizes everything. **The spiritual circle is the circle drawn within one's mind before the execution of the physical circle.
The author, Scott Harker, is the publisher of websites about Coin Collector's Dream, Solar Energy, Survey Taking, Humor, Wine and Hybrid Cars.
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Aikido Secrets Everyone Should KnowDressing Up To Train
Founding Principles Of Aikido
Defending Oneself Using Nothing But Aikido Tomiki
Practicing The Art Of Peace
Fundamentals Of Aikido
The Hard Style Aikido
Using Aikido In Combat
The Dynamics Of Aikido's Techniques
Teaching, Training, And Exercising Aikido
Tips In Choosing An Aikido School
Learning Aikido By Watching Aikido Video
The Relaxed Martial Art
Aikido Weaponry Is All About Techniques
Using Aikido Moves In Practice Or In Combat
Aikido In Everyday Life
Knowing The Basics Of Aikido
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