Aikido is an art of unarmed combat. It is a martial art of peace and harmony in which potential destructive energy is neutralized and controlled rather than exploited. Aikido practitioners seek to blend with an attacker and redirect their force against them through techniques such as throws, joint locks, pins, atemi or striking.
Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), better known as O Sensei, developed aikido in the 1920’s from samurai battlefield techniques. He was a disciplined student of martial arts principles and philosophy. He sought to reconcile his knowledge of jujitsu and samurai sword, staff and spear arts with his spiritual quest for inner peace. He created aikido, a martial art of refinement, sensitivity and astonishing power.
Today, aikido is found throughout the world in various styles with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, most aikido styles share the techniques formulated by O Sensei. These are based on using an opponent’s momentum against them in a variety of throwing, pinning, locking and striking techniques that do not require much physical strength.
Many people are interested in aikido because it is considered a peaceful martial art, focusing on using the opponent’s force to subdue him or her rather than fighting against brute strength. As an art of self-defense, it offers many useful skills that can be applied to a wide variety of situations and is suitable for all ages. In addition to the physical benefits, training in aikido can help develop character, cooperation and awareness of one’s environment as well as confidence and resiliency.