Aikido is a non-aggressive Japanese martial art developed during the 1920’s by Morihei Ueshiba, commonly known as O Sensei. Having mastered samurai battlefield techniques, including the jujutsu of sword, staff and spear, O Sensei had a profound awakening in his martial training and realized that the violent confrontations of traditional budo were futile. He reworked his jujutsu into aikido, an art of circular movements that render opponents helpless and redirect their energy.
In addition to developing physical skills, aikido is also a study of spiritual and moral growth. O Sensei placed great emphasis on the development of character, and stressed that the martial art was a path that led to peace. Today, aikido is practiced worldwide by men, women and children of all ages, who train together in a non-competitive manner with a common goal.
Aikido training is done in pairs and focuses on blending with an opponent’s line of force rather than confronting it head-on. Practitioners learn to use wrist locks, arm pins and unbalancing throws to subdue and neutralize attackers without serious injury. Weapons training, usually with bokken (wooden swords) and jo (a short staff), is also an important aspect of aikido, as is the practice of meditation and proper etiquette. All of these are used to develop mental and physical discipline, as well as a heightened awareness of the natural forces that are constantly at work in nature and our daily lives.