Aikido
‘True victory is self-victory; let that day arrive quickly!’
Sometimes translated as “the way of the harmonious spirit,” Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba and represents a culmination of his studies of various styles of Jujitsu, sword and spear arts. Aikido has its technical basis in various throwing, locking and unbalancing techniques and is heavily influenced by Daito Ryu Aikijujtisu.
Aikido uses twisting and throwing techniques to turn an attacker’s strength and momentum against himself. Performed correctly it requires very little physical energy as you’ll be using the attacker’s momentum to perform entering and turning movements, completing techniques with throws or joint locks.
Ueshiba left no formal technical system and so his students all came away with different ideas of Aikido, depending on what era they encountered Ueshiba. Today’s many styles and schools reflect this divergence. In some ways, this is in keeping with the principles laid out by Ueshiba. Aikido can be seen as personal expression, a journey of the self.
‘Now you have seen my aikido go find your own’
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