Aikido - Master the Art of Peace

            Developed as a Japanese form of martial art, aikido aims to provide personal applicable self-defense, as a form of seeking spiritual enlightenment, improved physical health, and peace of mind. Morihei Ueshiba who is better known to his followers and practitioners as O Sensei or Great Teacher founded this form of martial art. The founder died in 1969. This form of martial art, which Ueshiba developed, traces its origins from ancient bujitso or fighting arts dating back to as early as 850 A.D.

            Aikido means “spirit” for ai and “the way” for do, which means that its principles are based on the “way of spiritual harmony”, the coming of the mind, spirit, and body as one. This harmony is the most fundamental principle, which teaches that winning over your opponent means harmonizing with him, that is getting a sense of his intentions and taking advantage of his movements.  For one to harmonize with the opponent, he must not even struggle. From over three thousand techniques, one hundred fifty of them are considered basic. They deal with using your opponent’s force to his own disadvantage with minimum or virtually no effort at all. Certain breathing exercises in aikido through stretching and exercise have also been known to promote good health.

            One of the first and most important things to learn to freeze and opponent is called ukemi, or properly breaking your fall by employing techniques like holding the sleeves or collar while taking advantage of successfully throwing your opponent. Karate most employs straight line punching, thrusting and kicking while aikido employs spherical and circular movements aimed at immobilizing the opponent until you can twist his wrist and pin him down. It can be very difficult and it might take a time to fully learn the basics of this martial art until finally mastering it but most practitioners testify that it is an enjoyable form of exercise and an efficient form of self-defense.

            Experts and long time practitioners of this form of martial art list four basic techniques. First is called katai, which focuses on body movements and breathing patterns. Second is called yawarakai. This technique emphasizes immobilizing the opponent during direct attacks by taking advantage of his power and controlling the series of movements that might possibly occur. Ki-no-nagare is the third technique. This teaches how to protect one’s self by properly aligning with the movements of the opponent before he makes body contacts during attacks. The fourth and final basic technique is called ki. This teaches that the ki or the spirit of the one practicing it should be linked to the attacker.

            Aikido is considered one of the most unique forms of martial arts today because of its philosophy of powers of the body and mind combined with that of the forces of nature. Through to its fundamental principles, there can only be peace when there is quick resolution to an aggression or something that disrupts the tranquil state of mind that is why it teaches that the best way to achieve it is to have a relaxed and peaceful body and mind where the ki or the energy can freely flow to release power and flexibility, more superior than exerting physical and muscular power. Though it started relatively later than the most established forms of martial arts, it is now one of the most popular in the world and commands over two million practitioners and students in the many countries throughout the world.

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