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| The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba |
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DISCOVERING AIKIDO
By Jorge J. Angulo, Chief instructor
Aikido is many things to many people. It can be a great way to relief stress, lose weight, improve coordination and balance, or provide spiritual development. It is also an opportunity to gather together with like-minded people and participate in a fun group activity, or a practical method of self-defense. Whatever one seeks in aikido, he/she will find. Aikido, unlike most martial arts, truly has something for everyone to discover. The founder of aikido, Ueshiba Morihei O’Sensei (1883-1969) said, “Aikido is for everyone.”, and he sent his students to reach out to every corner of the world and spread aikido.
Aikido is an ethical martial art. An aikido practitioner, when attacked, has many options to handle the aggressor. The aikidoka (aikido student) can simply move from the aggressor’s line of attack and escape, without having to strike a single blow. On the other hand, the aikidoka can receive the attack and blend with the incoming forward momentum and redirect the aggressor into a series of pins, controls (using small joint manipulation), restraints, or throws, which can send the aggressor crashing to the ground.
Aikido in the martial arts’ community has been unfairly labeled as ineffective for self- defense. This labeling comes from individuals who have never practiced aikido or they have practiced with instructors who have chosen not to explore the martial side of aikido. It is very easy for someone to get caught up in the ethical or spiritual side of the art without ever truly realizing the practical side.
The founder of aikido was a deeply religious man and was profoundly affected by the destruction of Japan after World War II. After seeing what a thirst for war did to his country, he changed his view on the purpose of aikido. The essence of aikido is to blend and not clash with an incoming attack and if given the circumstance to put an end to it without unnecessarily injuring the attacker. It was his ethical position that the Founder wanted all his student’s to apply, not only to aikido technique, but in daily life as well.
Aikido is a deceivingly powerful and effective martial art. The movements appear dance-like and rhythmical, unlike the straight lines of attack of karate and other striking arts. It is these rhythmical and flowing movements that make aikido so powerful. Aikido has to be experienced to be fully understood.
Aikido is a very tactical martial art. The aikidoka is taught to place him/her in superior positions in order to deal with an attack effectively. An aikidoka is taught to stay calm in the face of danger and to be aware of his surroundings in order to avoid surprise attack. Aikido excels where there is an over committed attack. An attacker will usually thrust himself/herself forward, fully committed to his/her attack. This over commitment allows an aikidoka, regardless of size or physical ability, to defend himself/herself, even if the only act of self-defense is to move out of the way and escape.
Most martial artists don’t understand the concept of giving way or avoiding direct conflict. When a weapon is involved, a direct clash with an attacker can be deadly. Only through proper position and movement can one effectively deal with a weapon wielding aggressor. The concept of blocking is not part of aikido technique or philosophy. If a stronger aggressor attempts to punch, grab, or push a weaker person and the weaker person attempts to block or stop the attack, he or she may end up getting struck and injured. The only way a weaker person can deal with a stronger person is through blending with the attack.
Aikido is one of the more cardiovascular demanding martial arts. In fact, it is one of only two martial arts accepted and endorsed by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Conditioning plays a great roll in your ability to defend yourself. If you run out of steam during a conflict chances are you will be defeated. It is not necessary to be in shape to join class. Each student, regardless of their present physical condition, can greatly improve his/her cardiovascular conditioning. Each student gauges his or her own level of practice. In other words, a student who is in poor cardiovascular condition will not train with the vigor of a student who is in top condition. But through consistent practice, a student will greatly improve his/her conditioning, stamina, and coordination.
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| Sokaku Takeda inheritor of the Takeda Samurai Clan fighting art known as Daito Ryu and teacher of the founder of Aikido. |
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As the aikido student improves his/her physical fitness level through consistent training, other things naturally happen (which the student may or may not realize) which are the fruits of his/her training. Because of the physical nature of aikido, stress is greatly reduced. Aikido practice affords the student the opportunity to leave the day-to-day troubles behind, put on his white Keiko gi (practice uniform) and step onto the mat for a vigorous stress relieving practice.
By changing into the Keiko gi, students symbolically strip themselves of social and economic status and come together in this simple white uniform with one sole purpose, the practice of aikido. As for the spiritual aspects of aikido training, I leave that to the individual student and his personal beliefs. Some students have reported that after practicing aikido for a few weeks they felt a calming affect and clearer thinking. This in my opinion has to do with an increase in confidence developed by the student as he/she learns how to protect himself/herself and others. Aikido practice demands a lot from its students. Since it’s a martial art created during a time of war its practitioners are required to develop a high sense of awareness, concentration, and attention to detail. In the battle field, day dreaming, lack of attention to detail, and not paying attention can cost you your life!
But, since most of us are not, nor will ever be, on a battle field, this heightened sense of awareness, attention to detail, and calmness transcends into our daily lives whether it’s at work, home, or school. Because aikido is practiced with training partners in a cooperative and noncompetitive atmosphere, it also helps students develop interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others. Aikido is truly many things to many people and the only way to discover what aikido can be for you is to step on the mat.
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