Brief Introduction to Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. On a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu.

Aikido was originally started in Japan back in the 1940s. As Aikido's founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was growing up in modern Japan, Ueshiba witnessed the local thugs vandalize his father. The young boy decided that he would make himself strong in order to seek revenge against the thugs. Ueshiba was strong willed, and devoted every waking moment to physical training and martial arts. He then began to look into religion, hoping that he would find a greater significance with life - pursuing martial arts all the while. Ueshiba founded the martial art of Aikido by combining both his religious beliefs and his training in martial arts. Aikido believes in harmony and peace of the spirit. By achieving a higher spiritual power, Ueshiba has always believed that the human body is capable of anything. Even though he wanted revenge, he still stated that Aikido wasn't about fighting, but rather a way to reconcile with the world and make every human being on giant family. At that time, the style was known as aikibudo, it wasn't until 1942 that he decided to go with the name Aikido.

The Japanese word "Aikido" is made up of three characters: Ai, Ki, and Do. Ai means to join, unify, or harmonize. Ki means energy or spirit, particularly a universal life force, essence, or the forces of nature. Do means a path or way of life, and signifies that Aikido involves not only self-defense techniques, but also positive character-building ideals which a person can incorporate into his or her life. Taken together, the three characters mean the way of harmony with the spirit of the universe.

After World War II, Aikido rapidly spread and nowadays has become more and more popular in many countries. "The Aikido-boom" can be seen around the world. Why is Aikido now loved by all different generations, regardless of nationality, culture, language, etc.? On a purely physical level Aikido is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu. But its style was quite different indeed, incorporating several different styles of jujitsu, aiki-jujitsu, and spear and sword fighting techniques as well. It focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement. Its principal is not to resist the law of nature, but to harmonize without using physical strength. This means no matter if you are strong or weak, big or small, male or female, young or old, you can do Aikido without having to be a top athlete. Although Aikido does not require physical strength, with regular practice, strength will develop as well as agility, coordination, flexibility, balance, stamina, and alertness. Aikido practice is as much a mental and spiritual exercise as well as a physical one. Regular and continuous practice teaches Aikido exercisers to coordinate and unify their minds and bodies so that they remain centered and calm in the face of physical attacks or other forms of aggression.

Can Aikido be used for self-defense?

"Those who are skilled in combat do not become angered, those who are skilled at winning do not become afraid. Thus the wise win before the fight, while the ignorant fight to win."

Yes, Aikido can be a very effective form of self-defense However, it can take considerable time and effort before Aikido (or any martial art) can be used effectively in a self-defense situation.

Martial Arts World - Introduction

Martial arts training or 'The Art of War "was developed from a need to protect themselves, family and community from any external attack rival groups, Raiders, winning the forces, and so on. Over time, developed regions of the world, many very different styles of martial arts fighting techniques.

Today martial arts are practiced all over the world and only the community were not, we know that wherever you arePlanet, you can bet that not much different from a class or teacher who is able, on the skills needed to make progress happen. The free time can often be considered "hard", which includes external physical strikes, kicks, blows, etc. "or soft", which uses internal concentration exercises as rhythmic breathing, the mind and visualization.

What types of martial arts around the world? Here is a brief list of some of the most popular countryStyles.

China

Often described as "Chinese boxing" or "Chung-kuo Ch'uan" translates something like "Chinese fist". China has hundreds of different "styles" of fighting on its large land mass, but the most common name for martial arts in China, "Wu Shu". What are recognized in the West as the most common forms of Wu-Shu, are:

Kung-Fu, one of which is the most popular form of Wing Chun, or "Beautiful Springtime", which is a mixture of hard and soft technologiesbut there are many other styles of Kung Fu.

Tai-chi, 'Supreme Ultimate Fist', a style can be soft or hard, depending on the type carried out their activities. It is usually taught as a form of healthy exercise, although their effectiveness as a martial art is often overlooked by many Westerners.

Pa-Kua (Ba Gua), "eight characters" (the eight-model line parallel-Ching), is a "gentle art", the circular movement speed, direction and up and down with the bikehigh speeds.

I-Hsing (pronounced Shing Yee), "the will or intention outside, the" uses rapid series of shots of power or strength in structured movement to attack enemies at once and pass defense.

Japan

Japanese Martial Arts Bushido combine Those were strong - "the way of warrior'-a moral philosophy and ethics developed after centuries of influence by the military. There are no hard and soft elements, and some styles emphasizedevelopment of energy "Ki (such as Chinese chi) through the control of breathing, controlled movement and concentration.

Karate is primarily striking art with a focus on external punches, kicks and open hand techniques.

Aikido, "the way of harmonious spirit", uses the power and momentum against them by opponents of change and redirect the attack throws and locks in common with.

Jiu-Jitsu, "the art of" softness, is trying to overcome an opponent with minimumForce. Developed with less emphasis on striking because of the problems associated with an attack against an armed opponent. It uses the launch, capture and joint locks.

Korea

Taekwondo, "came the way and beaten," is the national sport in Korea but its popularity has spread worldwide. It relies on leg strength as the main weapons developed many techniques and kicks. It's about the conditioning of the legs to make hard, powerful shots.

Hapkido, "the waycoordinated power / energy ", used circular motion (imagine water flowing around an obstacle) and flowing movements to an opponent, but using the point strikes, lock joint control, throws and grabs. There is equal emphasis on kicking, hitting and punching.

Thailand

Muay Thai or Thai boxing, "the art of eight limbs", is Thailand's national sport. The eight points of contact (hands, shins, elbows, knees, hands and feet) are used to find an opponent.have compared it to Western boxing as two points of contact - the fists would. This is a tough and demanding style of fighting that perseverance and hard body needs air conditioning.

Philippines

Eskrima is a martial art involving sticks, walking sticks and sword techniques.

Indonesia

Pencak Silat is a style of Max includes many different aspects depending on the region and local traditions, but focuses on complex foot movements andHand attacks. At lower levels there is an emphasis on inner "technical" magic and mental practices.

Brazil / South America

"Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu," which originally imported from Japan, focuses on the conflict and struggles on the ground, which means that the biggest opponents any particular advantage over a smaller person can. The art includes original as choke holds and tactics common locks. This art is also a martial art and asports. The "Gracie family are famous for their brand and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is probably the best known representatives of this style.