What is Aikido?

     The name Aikido is composed of three Japanese words: ai: meaning harmony; ki: spirit or energy; and do: the path,system or way. Aikido is the way of the spirit of harmony. Martial arts are studied for self-defense and self-improvement but Aikido is different from other martial arts in that practitioners seek to defend themselves without causing injury to their attackers.

      Aikido is a Japanese martial art that is known for its defensive techniques that protect the attacker from injury. It was developed in the late 1920s by martial arts expert Morihei Ueshiba who was greatly influenced by older Japanese martial arts.

The focus of Aikido is grappling with a variety of techniques that are designed to redirect an opponent's force into a throw. Aikido also includes a number of locking techniques and methods for disarming attackers.

As with other Japanese martial arts, philosophy is important to Aikido. Morihei Ueshiba was heavily influenced by Oomoto, a Japanese religion founded in 1892 by Deguchi Nao, a housewife from the small town of Ayabe near Kyoto. Oomoto was classified as a peace movement and heavily suppressed by the Japanese government in the years leading up to WWII.

The philosophy of Aikido is remarkably peaceful as it seeks to handle attacks by harmlessly redirecting them. Aikido is heavy on mental training in order to stay calm to act without hesitation when attacked.

In modern times, Aikido has branched off into several schools. The schools differ in their focus on philosophy and techniques. Some schools offer moves that are somewhat dangerous to the attacker.