aikizbysio: lutego 2008

środa, 27 lutego 2008

The merger of the cultures of the East and West along with other factors have lead to people discovering novel means of self-discipline. This self-discipline is primarily existent in martial arts like Aikido which have Japanese origins.

Knowing Aikido Aikido’s basic principle emphasizes restraint from the use of force. Aikido is seen as one of the martial arts that is the least aggressive. Aikido is largely popular because it refrains from provoking or initiating attacks. Aikido emphasizes the use of the attackers force and the redirection of such force into throws, locks and other different means of restraint. Little or no amount of kicking and punching is employed in Aikido. The art also pays no heed to the physical aspects of an individual during combat. Features such as size, age, weight and strength are irrelevant. What is relevant is that a skilled Aikido student knows how to direct the energy of their attacker and keep them unbalanced.

Aikido has a history that can be traced to the time when its founder Morihei Ueshiba discovered the art and developed the founding principles of Aikido. Morihei Ueshiba is also known as “O Sensei” or “Great Teacher” the translation in English, what he succeeded in developing was a martial art that employed the physical and useful elements of other martial arts such as “Kenjutsu” and “Jujitsu”. Aikido was derived from the branch of martial arts known as "Daitoryu Aiki-jujutsu" it also involves other different forms of training such as “yaru”, ”jo” and “juken” these terminologies stand for “spear”,” quarterstaff” and “bayonet” respectively.

When Ueshiba was done developing the minor and major parts of the art of Aikido, he also emphasized that martial arts was not restricted solely to the self-defense techniques of an individual but also had its part to play in the enhancement and development of the moral and spiritual aspects of an individual. This development would lead these individuals to place a greater emphasis in the creation of a feeling of harmony and peace. People who are skilled in the practice of Aikido claim that “harmony of the spirit” is one literal term that may be used to describe Aikido in English.

Aikido isn’t simply about kicking and punching and opponent and at the same time it isn’t a static art. As a martial art it is largely effective just because it makes sure that the person practicing the aikido uses the energy of their opponents in order to control them. Taking a closer look at Aikido will reveal that it is not solely a means of self-defense but a means of enlightenment as well. It is also a means of physical health and exercise and a means by which a person may gain peace of mind as well as concentration and serenity.

Different styles of Aikido emphasize a great emphasis and focus on the spiritual aspects of an individual to varying levels. Some of these levels may be greater or lesser but the primary idea is that the art was created in order to promote peace and harmony.

Written by Darren Williger

środa, 20 lutego 2008

Tohei Sensei Bokken

Yoshi Ichida- Tsuki Kokyunage and Iriminage

iaido - sword art

Aikibatto harai tsuki - 10th exercise - closeup

Knowing the Inside of Aikido

With the visible convergence of East and West cultures, more and more people are discovering and rediscovering new means self-discipline especially in the field of martial arts. One of these means is called "Aikido," a very popular Japanese martial art.

KNOWING AIKIDO

“Do not fight force with force,” this is the most basic principle of Aikido. Considered as one of the non-aggressive styles in martial arts, Aikido has become popular because it doesn’t instigate or provoke any attack. Instead, the force of the attacker is redirected into throws, locks, and several restraining techniques. Since aikido uses very few punches and kicks, the size, weight, age, and physical strength of the participants or the opponents only partake only a small role. What's important is the skilled Aikido practitioner is skilled enough to redirect his or her attacker's energy while keeping him or her in a constant of unbalance.

The history of Aikido as a martial art can be traced when Morihei Ueshiba discovered and developed its principle of aikido. Known as "O Sensei" or the "Great Teacher," Ueshiba made sure to develop a martial art that is based on a purely physical level using movements like throws, joint locks and techniques derived from another martial arts like "Jujitsu" and "Kenjutsu."

Technically, aikido was stemmed out and developed mainly from "daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu" while incorporating several training movements similar to the "yari" or "spear, "jo" or a short "quarterstaff" and from "juken" or "bayonet". Although these jujitsu movements are prominent while practicing the martial art, many practitioners agree that strongest influences of aikido is that of kenjutsu.

When he finally developed the minor and major principles of Aikido, Ueshiba emphasized that the martial art does not only pertain to self-defense techniques but can also play a major role in the enhancement of the practitioner's moral and spiritual aspects eventually leading them to place greater weight on the development and achievement of peace and harmony. In fact, because of the great emphasis in the development of harmony and peace, seasoned aikido practitioners say that "the way of harmony of the spirit" is one phrase that could describe or translate the term "aikido" in English.

Just like any other martial art, aikido has various techniques that include ikkyo or the "first technique," "nikyo" or the "second technique," "sankyo," or the "third technique," "yonkyo" or the "fourth technique," the "gokyo" or the "fifth technique," the "shihonage" or the "four-direction throw," the "kotegaeshi" or the wrist return, "kokyunage" or the "breath throw," "iriminage" or the entering-body throw, "tenchinage" or the "heaven-and-earth throw," "koshinage," or the "hip throw," "jujinage" or the "shaped-like-'ten'-throw," and the "kaitennage" or the rotation throw."

Although aikido is not about punching or kicking the opponent, it is not considered as a static art. It is still a very effective means of martial arts because it requires the aikido practitioner to use the energy of their opponent so they can gain control over them. When you will look at the martial art closely, you will realize that aikido is not only a means of self-defense technique but can also serve a means of spiritual enlightenment, physical health or exercise or a simple means of attaining peace of mind, concentration, and serenity.

Although different aikido styles gives great emphasis on the spiritual aspects to varying levels—some to greater or lesser degrees—the idea that the martial arts was conceptualized in order to achieve peace and harmony remains the most basic ideology of the martial art.
Written by P Oversol