Abe Seiseki Sensei and Neil Segal at Ame no Takemusu Juku Aikido Dojo
About Aikido
Aikido is ai (love). You make this great love of the universe your heart, and then you must make your own mission the protection and love of all things. To accomplish this mission must be the true budo. True budo means to win over yourself and eliminate the fighting heart of the enemy... No, it is a way to absolute self-perfection in which the enemy no longer exists. The technique of Aiki is ascetic training and a way through which you reach a state of unification of body and spirit by the realization of the principles of heaven.
- Ueshiba Morihei O'Sensei, The Founder of Aikido
The art and path of Aikido was researched and taught by Morihei Ueshiba, known as O’Sensei. Through practicing circular movements for the restoration of harmony out of conflict, the Aikidoist develops a sensitivity for flowing with universal energy, Ki, applicable not only to the physical realm of attacks, but also to communication skills. The following is a very brief explanation of several of the most central principles of Aikido. For more information, please refer to the World Headquarters site or any of the links. Another summary of Aikido training and centering can be found at Aikido Online.
Aikido is ai (love). You make this great love of the universe your heart, and then you must make your own mission the protection and love of all things. To accomplish this mission must be the true budo. True budo means to win over yourself and eliminate the fighting heart of the enemy... No, it is a way to absolute self-perfection in which the enemy no longer exists. The technique of Aiki is ascetic training and a way through which you reach a state of unification of body and spirit by the realization of the principles of heaven.
- Ueshiba Morihei O'Sensei, The Founder of Aikido
The art and path of Aikido was researched and taught by Morihei Ueshiba, known as O’Sensei. Through practicing circular movements for the restoration of harmony out of conflict, the Aikidoist develops a sensitivity for flowing with universal energy, Ki, applicable not only to the physical realm of attacks, but also to communication skills. The following is a very brief explanation of several of the most central principles of Aikido. For more information, please refer to the World Headquarters site or any of the links. Another summary of Aikido training and centering can be found at Aikido Online.
The Restoration of Harmony
Aikido is a martial art which teaches one to flow with natural energy, allowing conflict to be managed in such a way as to bring about the restoration of harmony. This is accomplished in three phases: Immobilization/Off-balancing to prevent an attacker from advancing; Control by leading an attacker in a safer direction, and the Restoration of Harmony by working together with the attacker to the point where he/she is no longer a threat. This may only be accomplished if one maintains his/her own balance throughout the conflict. In a verbal argument, this means "keeping your cool," staying specific, and not exaggerating the situation. Likewise, in a physical confrontation, it involves staying centered, using the minimal amount of power necessary to resolve the conflict without doing harm, and avoiding the extension of an attack beyond the point of control.
In the simple case of a head-on conflict, the general principle is to move off the line of attack just enough so that the attack misses and then to attain confluence with the attacker. This action creates imbalance for the attacker, resulting in a momentary pause. This is a critical moment. The aikidoist uses this pause, when the attacker is overextended to resolve the conflict. If he/she fights back, rather than leading the attacker into the flow, it would allow the attacker to regain balance and attack again.
Aikido is a martial art which teaches one to flow with natural energy, allowing conflict to be managed in such a way as to bring about the restoration of harmony. This is accomplished in three phases: Immobilization/Off-balancing to prevent an attacker from advancing; Control by leading an attacker in a safer direction, and the Restoration of Harmony by working together with the attacker to the point where he/she is no longer a threat. This may only be accomplished if one maintains his/her own balance throughout the conflict. In a verbal argument, this means "keeping your cool," staying specific, and not exaggerating the situation. Likewise, in a physical confrontation, it involves staying centered, using the minimal amount of power necessary to resolve the conflict without doing harm, and avoiding the extension of an attack beyond the point of control.
In the simple case of a head-on conflict, the general principle is to move off the line of attack just enough so that the attack misses and then to attain confluence with the attacker. This action creates imbalance for the attacker, resulting in a momentary pause. This is a critical moment. The aikidoist uses this pause, when the attacker is overextended to resolve the conflict. If he/she fights back, rather than leading the attacker into the flow, it would allow the attacker to regain balance and attack again.
Relaxation through Centering
Aikido is a martial art which teaches one to flow with natural energy, allowing conflict to be managed in such a way as to bring about the restoration of harmony. This is accomplished in three phases: Immobilization/Off-balancing to prevent an attacker from advancing; Control by leading an attacker in a safer direction, and the Restoration of Harmony by working together with the attacker to the point where he/she is no longer a threat. This may only be accomplished if one maintains his/her own balance throughout the conflict. In a verbal argument, this means "keeping your cool," staying specific, and not exaggerating the situation. Likewise, in a physical confrontation, it involves staying centered, using the minimal amount of power necessary to resolve the conflict without doing harm, and avoiding the extension of an attack beyond the point of control.
In the simple case of a head-on conflict, the general principle is to move off the line of attack just enough so that the attack misses and then to attain confluence with the attacker. This action creates imbalance for the attacker, resulting in a momentary pause. This is a critical moment. The aikidoist uses this pause, when the attacker is overextended to resolve the conflict. If he/she fights back, rather than leading the attacker into the flow, it would allow the attacker to regain balance and attack again.
Aikido is a martial art which teaches one to flow with natural energy, allowing conflict to be managed in such a way as to bring about the restoration of harmony. This is accomplished in three phases: Immobilization/Off-balancing to prevent an attacker from advancing; Control by leading an attacker in a safer direction, and the Restoration of Harmony by working together with the attacker to the point where he/she is no longer a threat. This may only be accomplished if one maintains his/her own balance throughout the conflict. In a verbal argument, this means "keeping your cool," staying specific, and not exaggerating the situation. Likewise, in a physical confrontation, it involves staying centered, using the minimal amount of power necessary to resolve the conflict without doing harm, and avoiding the extension of an attack beyond the point of control.
In the simple case of a head-on conflict, the general principle is to move off the line of attack just enough so that the attack misses and then to attain confluence with the attacker. This action creates imbalance for the attacker, resulting in a momentary pause. This is a critical moment. The aikidoist uses this pause, when the attacker is overextended to resolve the conflict. If he/she fights back, rather than leading the attacker into the flow, it would allow the attacker to regain balance and attack again.
