What is Aikido?

     The word “Aikido” in Japanese is made up of three characters, or kanji.  The first and most important is “Al”, which means “to meet, to come together, to harmonize.”  The second kanji is “KI,” which is used to describe “energy, spirit, and/or mind” and in the larger context means the “spirit of the universe.”  The third and last character is “DO”, which literally means “the way”, to signify that the study of Aikido does not involve merely self-defense techniques, but includes positive character-building ideals which a person can incorporate into his or her life. 

 These three, “AI-KI-DO,” together, mean... "the Way of Harmonizing with the Spirit of the Universe".

Aikido Movements and Techniques

     Aikido is a non-competitive Japanese martial art which emphasizes blending with an opponent in a non-aggressive way.  The movements of Aikido are based on a flowing flexibility and maintaining of a stable center of balance.  The aim of the Aikidoist is to create a state of harmony between mind and body while maintaining a calm, alert presence in the face of conflict or challanges.

Morihi Ueshiba (1883-1969)

     Aikido was founded in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba.  As a young man, Ueshiba Sensei, O'Sensei (Great Teacher), as he was called, studied many different martial arts, including a great variety of weapons.  Although he became strong and won many matches, he became troubled with the idea of winning at someone else’s expense; is this really winning? As a result, O'Sensei searched within himself for an art which could divert harm to one’s self while not inflicting permanent injury on an aggressor.  In this way, the martial art of Aikido was born as the “Art of Non-Resistance.”

 

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