| o is one of the oldest form of martial arts. | | | | actual experiences and everyday life. |
| Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido came about | | | | Aikido’s movements and techniques are |
| through the studies of many different kinds of | | | | circular. When a circle is created in aikido, the |
| traditional martial arts. In fact, is often perceived | | | | person is said to be protected from a collision |
| as a form of exercise or a dance because of | | | | from an opposing force. A firm center, however, |
| some of its forms. It is also viewed by some | | | | is needed to create this circle An example of a |
| quarters as some form of martial mesmerism. | | | | firm circle is a spinning top that turns at fast |
| Aikido is even confused with Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, | | | | speed. Without a firm center, the speed of |
| it is different in its essence. Still, its founder | | | | movement will only create imbalance. The stillness |
| attributed his creation of aikido to the way, his | | | | of the spinning top while in speeding motion is |
| master Sokaku Takeda, grandmaster of Daito | | | | what is called sumikiri in Aikido language. This is |
| Ryu, opened his eyes to the nature of Budo. | | | | achieved only by what Aikido founder calls |
| What is aikido? | | | | “total clarity of mind and body.” |
| Despite its many perceived forms, aikido is a | | | | However, this is not so easily achieved. It takes a |
| Budo or martial arts. It is the refinement of the | | | | long time of study and practice in order to find |
| techniques that are being taught in traditional | | | | this intense concentration and centeredness. |
| martial arts and is combined with a philosophy | | | | Training is important in aikido as well as |
| that calls on for the power of the spirit. In its | | | | concentration because while it may be easy to |
| essence, it is a blending of the body and the mind. | | | | create a centered being when inside a martial arts |
| Its philosophy is basically derived from the belief | | | | gym, the same cannot be said of situations and |
| that deceptions and trickery or brute force will | | | | circumstances outside. It will not be easy to keep |
| not make us defeat our opponents. Instead, | | | | one’s composure when faced with |
| concentration that involves the spirit will be | | | | extraordinary circumstances. This is actually one |
| enough to strengthen us. | | | | of the goals of Aikido training. It aims to teach its |
| Aikido is also used as a way to discover our true | | | | practitioners to maintain their composure and their |
| paths so that we can develop our individuality. It | | | | centeredness even in panic situations such as |
| also teaches its practitioners to unify their body | | | | danger and calamities. |
| and their mind so that they will become in | | | | One method taught in aikido is to breathe with |
| harmony with the “universe” and | | | | what is called the seika tanden point. This is the |
| with nature. Their power and their strength will | | | | part of the body that can be found two inches |
| come from this balance and harmony. | | | | below the navel. Controlled breathing is one key |
| The word “universe” in aikido is not | | | | to being one with the universe and to center |
| some obscure concept that one cannot achieve. | | | | oneself with nature. When a person learns to do |
| It is actually quite concrete and is even within the | | | | this, he or she will feel extraordinary calmness |
| grasp of the person. In aikido, | | | | that they can use in the practice of aikido. |
| “universe” can be achieved through | | | | |