Aikido – The Art of Harmony and Peace

When the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei, first introduced his art, it was under the name “Aiki Budo.” He chose that title because his martial philosophy is not a competition between opponents. Rather, true victory lies in overcoming one’s real enemy: our own ego and negative reactions.

When two experienced practitioners practice aikido together, an acute observer can often feel a harmonizing energy forged between them. This energy, called ki (), is a vital component of the art’s spiritual training. It is also a key factor in developing physical skills such as dynamic movement, heightened awareness and martial efficiency.

Aikido is unique among all martial arts in that it is heavily blended with its founder’s spiritual views of harmony and peace. Aikido practitioners, called aikidoka, do not meet aggression with force, but redirect it to throw an opponent away from the practitioner, or subdue them using joint locks and chokes.

In aikido, increased stamina, flexibility and muscle development result naturally from rigorous training. But the techniques are not dependent on strength for effectiveness, and therefore aikido can be practiced by men and women of all ages.

Unlike other martial arts that use leverage and timing to overcome larger, stronger opponents, the techniques of aikido are based on coordination and harmony. For example, the aikido technique of heaven-and-earth throw (Tian Di Tou ge, tenchinage) is achieved by dropping tori’s hips lower than those of uke and then flipping them over the resulting fulcrum.