Aikido – The Way of Combining Forces

aikido

In martial arts, aikido is the “Way of combining forces” or “Way of unifying energy.” Aiki techniques utilize the attacker’s force and intent for control rather than resistance. The attacker learns to fall safely and the defender learns to use only the amount of force needed to resolve the conflict. This approach is in harmony with the ethical strategies of budo, which work to make peace out of violence and order out of chaos.

The founder of aikido was Morihei Ueshiba, a Japanese swordsman who became a spiritual master and pacifist. He believed that the principles of aikido could transform the world and prevent war. Ueshiba developed aikido from a blend of unarmed combat techniques and meditative practices that are also found in Japanese culture such as calligraphy (shodo), flower arranging (kado) and tea ceremony (chado or sado).

Aikido has evolved into several major styles, based on the training methods and philosophy of different teachers. These include Yoshinkan, Tomiki and Aikikai. Each teaches some but not all of the same fundamentals, so practitioners of the various styles can practice together without fear of interference or loss of effectiveness.

Choosing an aikido dojo is an important step in learning the art. It is best to find one that is a member of the national organization and that has instructors with legitimate certifications. It is also a good idea to attend classes more than once a week, at least initially, in order to develop a strong foundation of technique.