Aikido is a Japanese art that translates to "the way of Unification with life energy", or "the way of the harmonious spirit". In this article, we are going to talk about the martial art aikido and their curiosities.
Let's talk about the origin of aikido, what aikido is for, what are the correct ways to use aikido, among other different types of explanations about this Japanese martial art. The summary below will help you navigate:
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What is aikido?
Aikido or aikido [合気道] is a martial art created in Japan after the 2nd World War, by the master Morihei Ueshiba in between 1883-1969. This martial art consists of the principle of harmony between practitioners and the universe.
In all martial arts, fighters must win or destroy the enemy, because they were developed and passed down through generations, by ancient Samurais and their experiences in battle.
Unlike fighting techniques, aikido uses a combination of techniques and the opponent's strength to harm himself. Therefore, aikido consists of using the opponent's strength against himself.
One of the advantages is that these abilities allow the fighter to exit a violent battle without taking damage by simply using his strength or other attack techniques.
the founder of aikido
To understand more about the Aikido, we need to know the story Morihei Ueshiba the founder of martial art aikido, who was also called Great Sensei (oosensei -[大先生]).
In the year 1919, the Morihei Ueshiba met Onisaburo Degushi of the sect Omoto-kyu, who taught a spiritual technique called Chin Kon Kishin, through concentrated meditation, increasing his serenity and making him more relaxed, reinforcing in him the concepts of harmony.
Knowing there could be no harmony in their battles, Morihei Ueshiba he began to create concepts of his own Martial Art, where there was no objective to defeat or destroy an enemy, but to end a conflict.
So he opened a little school called “Ueshiba School”, in 1923, he baptized his martial art by the name of Aiki Bujutsu, and went on to travel around Japan teaching others his amazing skill which quickly spread and popularized.
what does the word aikido mean?
The word aikido consists of three kanji characters:
The term Ai [合] means Harmony which refers to the characteristic of Aikido that, in order to control your opponent, it is necessary to become one with him, so that as a single set, you end up dominating your opponent.
The Ki [気] means the Energy employed in the act. It is a universal energy, existing in things, in which the concept that anthropologists call animism.
The Of [道] means the Path, in the sense of a path, the search for a personal and spiritual evolution; is the same meaning as Tao, at the Taoism. The do [道] often accompanies the name of other martial arts.
The term AIKI [合気] refers to the beginning of the fight, where the attackers' movement is absorbed to control their actions with little effort.
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aikido characteristics
No aikido, as is practically all Japanese martial arts, training is based on physical and mental training. The physical training in aikido it encompasses both fitness and physical conditions as well as preparation and training in specific techniques of the martial art.
One of the other features of Aikido, also characterized as a Budo, is to improve your personal and spiritual form through your wisdom and experience therein.
When a fighter is confronted, he has to dodge his opponent's blows as much as possible so that he doesn't get hurt too much in his daily battles or in his day to day defenses.
The idea of this principle is never to oppose the opponent's blow or effort; if he pulls, push; if he pushes, rotate the body, in both cases, to use the opponent's momentum to your advantage.
Another characteristic of Aikido is that it prioritizes peaceful solutions to conflicts, it is always better that demands are not resolved through combat, but through dialogue. This is important for both the inner [inner conflicts] and outer [outer conflicts] plane.
Another characteristic of Aikido is that this martial art is not used for combat or confrontation but for self-defense, so if you are looking for a martial art to use in your combats, it is better to get another type of martial training, but if you If you want to learn to defend yourself, aikido is the right art.
Distinguish the physical from the spiritual world
The ancient masters taught that warriors made no distinction between the physical and spiritual worlds, their technique was elegant and refined, as was their spirit; therefore, giving his maximum in training to improve and improve his technique, the practitioner also improved his spirit.
But he manages to control himself not only in confrontations that require physical effort, but also in the difficulties and setbacks that occur on a daily basis, he starts to trust even more in his efficient self-defense techniques.
Thus, in Aikido, there is no competition, attacking blows, or any other type of manifestation of aggression or violence, but in fact, the learner manages to control his aggression, making him calm, patient and balanced at any time.
How did aikido arrive in Brazil?
Aikido arrived in Brazil in January 9, 1963, through the Shihan Reishin Kawai, 8th Dan Aikido. His disciples affectionately call him "Kawai Sensei"
He founded the South American Union of Aikido, being a teacher of the classes at the Central Academy that he built himself. Over time, the art spread throughout Brazil and became one of the most popular in the country.
This entity turned out to be one of the largest current organizations with Dojos throughout Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Argentina, Denmark and Spain.
What is aikido training like?
the training of aikido it is mainly based on the participation of two partners who practice determined movements. The pattern consisting of sequences of attack moves performed by the uke.
Uke [受け] means receiving body, the recipient of the technique, who usually initiates an attack against his rival who applies the technique.
The rival who applies the technique is called a tori [取り] which means grasper or shite [仕手] which means performer. When a throwing technique is made, it can also be called "Swim" [投げ] which means sniper.
One of the trainings that are part of aikido develops the BODY with physical activity for the movements of the techniques in an aerobic way, but it takes muscle strength.
And it is also necessary to develop MENTE - MIND promoting concentration, perception, discipline, respect, and self-confidence.
It is also necessary to develop SPIRIT, creating honor, gratitude, emotional balance, peace, and finally harmony.
14 rules used in aikido
There are 14 rules used in aikido that we can take into account, they are:
- 1-Maintain Discipline;
- 2-Don't get angry;
- 3-Don't be sad;
- 4-Not having hostile feelings;
- 5-Be understanding and tolerant;
- 6-Be calm;
- 7-Be peaceful;
- 8-Maintain ethics;
- 9- Make friends with everyone;
- 10-Respect God and people;
- 11-Be humble;
- 12-Be fair and honest;
- 13-Become aware that Aikido is one of the paths that leads to God;
- 14-To become aware that the practice of Aikido has the principle of self-knowledge;
the great masters of aikido
To end the article, we are going to list some aikido masters for you to research. I hope you enjoyed the article, if you liked it share and leave your comments.
