| Aikido is an old martial art, not as old as many | | | | enough to strengthen. |
| others but old nevertheless. It was created by | | | | Aikido is also a means by which we can discover |
| Morihei Ueshiba and it is the result of a distillation | | | | our true paths and by so doing develop a sense |
| of different martial arts. Most people see it as a | | | | of individuality. Aikido also teaches people who |
| type of exercise or dance because of its fluid | | | | practice it to merge their bodies and minds and |
| form. Other people have their own definitions for | | | | achieve a state of harmony with nature and the |
| the martial art as well. | | | | universe. The power and strength which they feel |
| Sometimes Aikido is confused with Daito Ryu | | | | will come from this balance and harmony. When |
| Aikijutsu but the essentials of both martial arts | | | | we use the term universe in Aikido it is not to |
| are actually different. According to Ueshiba his | | | | refer to an obscure intangible and unattainable |
| eyes were opened by Sokaku Takeda who | | | | concept. It is an attainable concept that can easily |
| himself was a grandmaster of the Daito Ryu and | | | | be achieved through what goes on in our daily |
| opened his eyes to the Budo. | | | | lives. |
| What is this far eastern martial art all about? | | | | The movements in Aikido are movements of a |
| This particular discipline may have many different | | | | circular nature. A circle movement protects the |
| forms but it is essentially a Budo or martial art. It | | | | person within it from an opposing force. In order |
| is an art that has been refined and combined with | | | | to create the right atmosphere however a firm |
| a philosophy that advocates the use of the | | | | center is needed. One analogy of what is required |
| power of the spirit. The basic essence of aikido is | | | | is in a spinning top rotating at a very fast speed. |
| a perfect blending of bodily and mental functions. | | | | If no center existed then the speed would only |
| The philosophy of this sport is derived from the | | | | result in imbalance. In the human body this |
| belief that deception and trickery are not the | | | | firmness can only be achieved if the mind and |
| needed things required to defeat our opponents. | | | | body are completely clear, a state which might |
| Brute force is also not one of these requirements. | | | | take a person a very long time to achieve. |
| Rather a focus on concentration using the spirit is | | | | |