| With the visible convergence of East and West | | | | martial art does not only pertain to self-defense |
| cultures, more and more people are discovering and | | | | techniques but can also play a major role in the |
| rediscovering new means self-discipline especially in | | | | enhancement of the practitioner's moral and spiritual |
| the field of martial arts. One of these means is called | | | | aspects eventually leading them to place greater |
| "Aikido," a very popular Japanese martial art. | | | | weight on the development and achievement of |
| KNOWING AIKIDO | | | | peace and harmony. In fact, because of the great |
| “Do not fight force with force,” this is the | | | | emphasis in the development of harmony and peace, |
| most basic principle of Aikido. Considered as one of | | | | seasoned aikido practitioners say that "the way of |
| the non-aggressive styles in martial arts, Aikido has | | | | harmony of the spirit" is one phrase that could |
| become popular because it doesn’t instigate or | | | | describe or translate the term "aikido" in English. |
| provoke any attack. Instead, the force of the | | | | Just like any other martial art, aikido has various |
| attacker is redirected into throws, locks, and several | | | | techniques that include ikkyo or the "first technique," |
| restraining techniques. | | | | "nikyo" or the "second technique," "sankyo," or the |
| Since aikido uses very few punches and kicks, the | | | | "third technique," "yonkyo" or the "fourth technique," |
| size, weight, age, and physical strength of the | | | | the "gokyo" or the "fifth technique," the "shihonage" |
| participants or the opponents only partake only a | | | | or the "four-direction throw," the "kotegaeshi" or the |
| small role. What's important is the skilled Aikido | | | | wrist return, "kokyunage" or the "breath throw," |
| practitioner is skilled enough to redirect his or her | | | | "iriminage" or the entering-body throw, "tenchinage" |
| attacker's energy while keeping him or her in a | | | | or the "heaven-and-earth throw," "koshinage," or the |
| constant of unbalance. | | | | "hip throw," "jujinage" or the "shaped-like-'ten'-throw," |
| The history of Aikido as a martial art can be traced | | | | and the "kaitennage" or the rotation throw." |
| when Morihei Ueshiba discovered and developed its | | | | Although aikido is not about punching or kicking the |
| principle of aikido. Known as "O Sensei" or the "Great | | | | opponent, it is not considered as a static art. It is still |
| Teacher," Ueshiba made sure to develop a martial art | | | | a very effective means of martial arts because it |
| that is based on a purely physical level using | | | | requires the aikido practitioner to use the energy of |
| movements like throws, joint locks and techniques | | | | their opponent so they can gain control over them. |
| derived from another martial arts like "Jujitsu" and | | | | When you will look at the martial art closely, you will |
| "Kenjutsu." | | | | realize that aikido is not only a means of self-defense |
| Technically, aikido was stemmed out and developed | | | | technique but can also serve a means of spiritual |
| mainly from "daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu" while incorporating | | | | enlightenment, physical health or exercise or a simple |
| several training movements similar to the "yari" or | | | | means of attaining peace of mind, concentration, and |
| "spear, "jo" or a short "quarterstaff" and from | | | | serenity. |
| "juken" or "bayonet". Although these jujitsu | | | | Although different aikido styles gives great emphasis |
| movements are prominent while practicing the martial | | | | on the spiritual aspects to varying levels—some to |
| art, many practitioners agree that strongest | | | | greater or lesser degrees—the idea that the |
| influences of aikido is that of kenjutsu. | | | | martial arts was conceptualized in order to achieve |
| When he finally developed the minor and major | | | | peace and harmony remains the most basic ideology |
| principles of Aikido, Ueshiba emphasized that the | | | | of the martial art. |