Aikido - The Art

To the world, Asia has made the contribution of martial arts. Bruce Lee is the best example of this. He was first a martial arts master and then a Hollywood star. Martial arts have always been a favorite with movie makers and even now there are films like House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon to name just a few.

Japan is where you will find a rich history of this sport but China is what comes to mind when anyone says martial arts. Modern Japan conducts tournaments and promotes this sport in a big way abroad and at home. The Japanese have an old heritage of contact body sport and they are very athletic as a race.

Aikido is one such sport that is promoted by the Japanese. The word Aikido is derived from three words where Ai which means joining, Ki which means spirit and Do which means way. This tells us that we are not just talking about a sport in the physical sense of the word but it emphasizes the philosophical and spiritual development of the student and this was given a lot of focus by the proponent of Aikido who was called Ueshiba.

Aikido dwells on the theory of using harmony to defeat the opponent rather than violence. It aims to catch the opponent where he is the weakest and then the aim is to divert his attack or then immobilize him but not to kill him. It is this theory that makes Aikido beautiful to watch and it is very positive in nature. Of the people fighting there is a minimum of one who is looking for harmony and he performs the movement with grace and elegance. There are calculated moves but they exude an air of finesse and grace that is not feminine in nature but one which exudes peace. The sport is also called the art of peace and it is known to have some very positive influences on its practitioners and on those who choose to learn this sport.

There are some techniques involved in Aikido. The first is Ikkyo where the opponent is controlled by using one hand to hold the elbow and the other at the wrist. This step will aid in pinning the opponent down. Nikyo is the next technique where an adductive wristlock will help you twist your opponent's arm and cause some pressure on the nerve. Sankyo is the third where tension is sent upward - arm to elbow to shoulder.

Aikido does not only mean developing your physical strength but also your mental strength and capacity to effectively defeat the opponent. Perfecting this art requires hours of practice and strict discipline. Those who want to get into this field must do their best and they must try and perform it to the best of their ability.

New Aikido Dojo Opens In Hamilton - Bernews

Bernews

New Aikido Dojo Opens In Hamilton Bernews Basic Aikido [a Japanese Martial Art] is now being taught in the City of Hamilton by Peter Aldrich at the Lotus Yoga Studio on Victoria Street. Mr Aldrich [pictured below] said, “We used to have a few popular lunch time classes at the main dojo ...

Youngsters learn disciplines of martial arts - Lurgan Today

Youngsters learn disciplines of martial arts Lurgan Today The Aikido 5th dan, who will be teaching the young Derrytrasna players, has a dojo in Church Street, Dromore. He began his Akido studies in Japan with master Iwao Tamura in 1998. He also ran his own dojos in Yokohama where he taught a wide range of ...

Aikido helps boy deflect bullying - New Zealand Herald

Aikido helps boy deflect bullying New Zealand Herald There is a sense of impishness behind his expressive blue eyes, but controlled energy surrounds him as he sits cross-legged on a dojo mat. A dojo is a training place used for Japanese martial arts. The one Lucas attends teaches aikido.

A gentle art for kids - Auckland stuff.co.nz

Auckland stuff.co.nz

A gentle art for kids Auckland stuff.co.nz Tucked away in Eden Terrace is a peaceful room complete with muted tones and potted lilies – it's the Riai Aikido Learning Centre. The facility, known as a dojo, echoes the principles behind aikido. It is a powerful yet gentle martial art which employs ...

A unique style of martial arts -1/16/2012, 10:16 AM - Hays Daily News

Hays Daily News

A unique style of martial arts -1/16/2012, 10:16 AM Hays Daily News Classes are offered Monday through Friday at the dojo at Eighth and Oak. For an opportunity to learn more about Aikido, individuals can experience their first class or view a class free of charge before signing up to participate.