Aikido

Aikido is a noncompetitive martial art that has been growing in popularity since its creation. It harnesses the energy of the attacker and redirects that energy so that the attacker can be subdued with focused minimal effort and minimal damage, using circular motions, throws, atemi (strikes), and joint locking techniques. The word Aikido roughly translated into English means "The way of harmonizing spirit/energy". (Ai=harmony, Ki=spirit/energy, Do=way/path) Aikido is practiced by people in all walks of life from many countries around the globe. In addition, police, security, and military organizations throughout the world use Aikido police control tactics.

Aikido is a dynamic martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) "O-Sensei" (great teacher). Aikido was developed throughout the early and mid portions of the twentieth century. Morihei Ueshiba derived the techniques used in Aikido from various traditional Japanese martial disciplines including sword, spear, and short staff techniques, and from the unarmed Jujutsu styles of Yagyu-Ruy, Daito-Ryu Jujutsu, and other jujutsu ryu. Aikido has both taijutsu (unarmed body art - throwing, holding, joint-locking techniques) and a weapons focus using the bokken, (wood practice sword) , jo (short staff), and tanto (knife). Weapon techniques are learned in tandem with taijutsu.

To learn more about Aikido, read our Aikido Student Handbook.

Also, check out this recommended reading list.