| The modern martial art from Japan called Aikido is | | | | over or thrown. More advanced techniques teach |
| often referred to as the "art of peace" because it | | | | students not only to fall properly, but also to be |
| espouses a quick peaceful end to any form of | | | | able to rebound and plant a counter attack as one |
| aggression. In the practice place of Aikido, usually | | | | rises from a fall. |
| called dojo, students will be able to learn about | | | | Beyond combat and the dojo however, Aikido |
| flexibility and adaptation. Both of these are results | | | | masters and instructors cultivate the development |
| of a relaxed manner that Aikido students strive | | | | of spirituality and character within Aikido students |
| to embody. | | | | so that they can apply Aikido principles everyday |
| The reason why being relaxed and calm is taught | | | | in life. True understanding of Aikido simultaneously |
| in Aikido practice is because at the heart of its | | | | promotes better performance in practice |
| principles of spirituality and philosophy, Aikido | | | | combats as well as in performance in everyday |
| masters and instructors believe that the ki or ch'i | | | | life. |
| or energy can only truly flow in its complete | | | | Aikido everyday in life is akin to having an |
| potential energy when one is relaxed. It is in this | | | | unshakable peace and calm that enables you to |
| relaxed state that ki flows freely and smoothly. | | | | have the strength needed to withstand even the |
| This philosophy that ki is a force that is very | | | | toughest of life's challenges. Remember that |
| strong and fundamental. | | | | Aikido teaches students about flexibility, |
| It is believed to be superior to muscle and | | | | adaptability, calm and clarity. All these are useful |
| physical strength, which sometimes hinders the ki. | | | | tools in dealing with life, so say Aikido practitioners. |
| In fact, in Aikido, instead of muscle and strength | | | | Some Aikido martial artists tend to relate Aikido |
| building, flexibility and endurance is part of the | | | | combat principles to everyday life like work, play |
| Aikido martial art training. Now, it said that to be | | | | and personal relationships. This results in a true |
| able to truly harness the power of the ki, it must | | | | oneness in the practice of Aikido everyday in life. |
| be allowed to flow. It can only flow properly within | | | | In Aikido training, there is such a thing as uke and |
| us when we are in a relaxed state. The relaxed | | | | nage. One cannot exist without the other. Uke |
| state cannot be built like muscles through | | | | makes an assault on nage and consequently is the |
| exercise. A spiritual journey must be taken upon | | | | receiver of the Aikido technique which nage uses |
| by an Aikido student to be able to achieve the | | | | to neutralize uke's attack energy with. In training |
| state of calm and peace that is vital in combat. | | | | using uke and nage, one will be able to get better |
| In constant defense and fear, we tend to be too | | | | in Aikido techniques by learning from each other |
| busy to concentrate and are easily distracted. | | | | and gaining each others strengths and battling |
| Aikido stresses this fact and so it teaches its | | | | each others weaknesses together. |
| students to remain calm in the face of an assault. | | | | If this is something that you want to cultivate in |
| Remaining calm puts an advantage over the | | | | your life then Aikido everyday in life is something |
| assailant because you will not be caught of guard | | | | that you might want to take up and learn. |
| and unaware and therefore will not be toppled | | | | |