What is Aikido?.
Aikido was
created by Morihei Ueshiba (known as O Sensei, see photo) in Japan
between about 1920 and 1940. The name "Aikido", meaning "way of harmony with
inner energy" was given to the art by him in 1942.
Master Ueshiba (pronounced "oo-eh-shiba") was born in 1883 in a Japan which
had not fully emerged into the modern world and where many of the martial arts
were still taught by masters in the old tradition. In his early manhood he
mastered several martial arts including swordsmanship and various forms of
unarmed self defence. At the same time he developed into a deeply religious
person and envisaged a new system of 'budo' (lit: the way of the warrior) which
would provide a basis for both physical and spiritual development. This he named
'Aikido': the way (do) of harmonising (ai) the Center (ki). .
"True budo is the way of great harmony and great love for all beings" wrote
Ueshiba. That he meant Aikido to be much more than a method of self-defence is
conveyed in his words: "I want considerate people to listen to the voice of
Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind".
The principles of Aikido.
Aikido is a weaponless system. It is essentially non-violent and, as
conceived by its creator, non-competitive. Force is never opposed by force. By
means of movement an attacker's force is diverted and turned back upon him. A
variety of techniques may be applied to the attacker's arm joints; but although
these can be extremely painful and induce immediate submission, they are not
aimed at causing injury. Thus it is perhaps the most subtle and graceful of the
various martial arts. Since Aikido techniques do not call for physical strength
or aggressive spirit, it is practised by people off all ages and physical
abilities.
The benefits of Aikido Practice
Since Aikido is based on full and natural body movement, it exercises every
limb and joint of the body. Flexibility, muscle tone, coordination and quick
reactions are all developed. It does not demand unnatural body-building
preparation, but is an absorbing way to keep fit along natural lines and within
a framework of aesthetic movement.
As we get older we lose the flexibility of out joints at an alarming rate.
Aikido is an excellent way of restoring and preserving a supple healthy body.
Moreover, there should be enough expenditure of energy in an Aikido practice to
stimulate the heart and give it plenty of exercise.
Aikido is essentially a method of self-defence so that through regular
practice one will aquire a sound basis of agile movement and speed of reaction
which should prove useful if the occasion ever demanded it in real life.
In common with other Oriental philosophies (and indeed with modern science)
Aikido teaches that there is no real separation between that which is body and
that which is mind. In subjecting our bodies to the precise discipline of Aikido
we may eventually influence our minds for the good: creating an inner calm and
balance that may be carried into our daily lives, helping us to become better
and more effective people.
