Aikido is a Japanese martial art whose origins can be traced back to the 12th century. It is based on an attitude of non-resistance rather than confrontation of strength.  An attack is not checked, it is met and guided in a way that causes the assailant to be thrown by the directional force of their own attack.

Aikido is a subtle and graceful martial art which embraces an immense range of techniques that may be employed against all manner of attack, armed or not. Moreover, since the techniques when properly executed require no physical strength, Aikido may be practiced by anyone, regardless of sex or age. Aikido promotes a form of all-round physical exercise that could hardly be surpassed, promoting suppleness, agility, increased co-ordination and speed of reaction. In subjecting our bodies to the precise physical discipline that is Aikido we may eventually influence our minds for the good: creating an inner calm and balance that may be carried into our daily lives.

Last and not least, Aikido offers a versatile and effective method of self defense which may recommend itself to those for whom the more aggressive and competitive martial arts have less appeal.

Aikido - A Typical Practice

An Aikido practice consists of the following parts:

• Warm up/stretching
• Basics sitting, posture, foot movement, knee walking, falling/receiving a technique
• Body Movements (Tai-sabaki)
• Entering (Irimi)
• Turning (Tenkan)
• Blending (Tai-no-henka)
• Breathing/ki exercises (Kokyo)
• Technique Practice
• Cool Down/Stretching

The number of Aikido techniques and variations is virtually endless. These techniques are based on a small number of fundamental principles. These principles are illustrated most clearly in three fundamental techniques:

• ikkyo (first principle)
• irimi-nage (body entering throw)
• shiho-nage (four direction throw)

During technique practice the person executing the technique(tori), is attacked by the person receiving the technique (uke). Tori applies the technique and controls his attacker. The teacher provides a model form, the student observes carefully and repeats it, with one or more partners, until he has mastered the form. This may sound dull but is a lot of fun and very intriguing in practice. The movements appear deceptively simple when demonstrated but are, in fact, very difficult to master.