The Serene World of Aikido Martial Arts
More than just a physical sport, the goal of practicing Aikido is to obtain an inner serenity as well as the ability to defend from attack. Dojos that teach Aikido can be found in most major cities, there should be one near you.
KNOWING AIKIDO
“Do not fight force with force,” this is a basic principle in Aikido. Considered as one of the non-aggressive styles of martial arts, Aikido's popularity rests, in part, because it doesn’t instigate or provoke any attack. Instead, the force of the attacker is redirected into throws, locks, and several restraining techniques. Aikido students do not seek out fights, but their heightened awareness allows them to deflect the enemy when necessary.
Since Aikido uses very few punches and kicks, the size, weight, age, and physical strength of the participants or the attacking opponents play but a small role. The true strength of the skilled Aikido practitioner is the ability to redirect his or her attacker's energy while keeping him or her in a constant state of unbalance. The Aikido student's inner harmony is the secret weapon that keeps the opponent at bay and harmless.
The beginnings of Aikido as a martial art can be traced to Morihei Ueshiba who discovered and developed the founding principles of Aikido. Known as "O Sensei" or the "Great Teacher," Ueshiba's desire was to develop a martial art that used, at the purely physical level, movements like throws, joint locks and techniques derived from other martial arts like "Jujitsu" and "Kenjutsu." And then to combine the pracice of these physical exercises with a study of the spiritual side of humanity.
Technically, Aikido stemmed out of or developed mainly from "daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu" which incorporated several training movements that included weapons - the "yari" or "spear, "jo" or a short "quarterstaff" and the "juken" or "bayonet". Although the jujitsu movements are prominent while practicing the martial art, many practitioners agree that stronger influence on Aikido is that of kenjutsu.
"The body should be triangular, the mind circular. The triangle represents the generation of energy and is the most stable physical posture. The circle symbolizes serenity and perfection, the source of unlimited techniques. The square stands for solidity, the basis of applied control."
from the Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba.
After developing the minor and major principles of Aikido, Ueshiba stressed that the martial art did not only pertain to self-defense techniques, but also played a major role in the enhancement of the practitioner's moral and spiritual aspects. Leading those who are diligent to place greater weight on the development and achievement of peace and harmony. In fact, because of this great emphasis in the development of harmony and peace, seasoned Aikido practitioners say that "the way of peace or the harmony of the spirit" are phrases that could be used to describe or translate the term "Aikido" in English.
Like other martial arts, Aikido has various techniques that include ikkyo or the "first technique," "nikyo" or the "second technique," "sankyo," or the "third technique," "yonkyo" or the "fourth technique," the "gokyo" or the "fifth technique," the "shihonage" or the "four-direction throw," the "kotegaeshi" or the wrist return, "kokyunage" or the "breath throw," "iriminage" or the entering-body throw, "tenchinage" or the "heaven-and-earth throw," "koshinage," or the "hip throw," "jujinage" or the "shaped-like-'ten'-throw," and the "kaitennage" or the rotation throw."
Although Aikido is not about punching or kicking the opponent,do not be deceived, it is not a static art. It is a very effective form of martial arts because it requires the aikido practitioner to use the energy of their opponent so they can gain control over them. That means that all the energy you need to overcome your enemy comes from your enemy's own actions! When you will look at this martial art closely, you will realize that Aikido is not simply a means of self-defense, but like an onion has many layers. Aikido also serves as a path to spiritual enlightenment and physical health. The exercises of Aikido can help you attain peace of mind, deeper concentration, and serenity.
Different Aikido styles gives greater emphasis on the spiritual aspects to varying levels — some to greater or lesser degrees — the idea that an aggressive art could be conceptualized as a way to achieve peace and harmony remains the most basic ideology of the Aikdio and its true strength.
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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Tips In Choosing An Aikido SchoolA Basic Guide To Aikido
The Relaxed Martial Art
Dressing Up To Train
Founding Principles Of Aikido
Defending Oneself Using Nothing But Aikido Tomiki
Aikido In Everyday Life
Fundamentals Of Aikido
Using Aikido Moves In Practice Or In Combat
The Underlying Principle Of Everything
Teaching, Training, And Exercising Aikido
Where To Practice Aikido
Learning Aikido By Watching Aikido Video
The Hard Style Aikido
Using Aikido In Combat
Knowing The Basics Of Aikido
Aikido Secrets Everyone Should Know
Into The World Of Aikido Martial Arts
Weapons In Aikido
The Beginnings Of Aikido
Practicing The Art Of Peace
Aikido Weaponry Is All About Techniques
Why Watch Aikido Clip Video?
The Dynamics Of Aikido's Techniques
My Articles Defending Oneself Using Nothing But Aikido Tomiki Imagine walking home late at night when suddenly a group of.. Dressing Up To Train Like all martial arts or sports for that matter, Aikido has.. Aikido Weaponry Is All About Techniques Aikido is a kind of martial arts which is often considered as modern.. Fundamentals Of Aikido Aikido is martial arts that resulted from the combination of several.. |
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