Vicksburg Aikikai
Vicksburg Aikikai
About Aikido
What is aikido?
Make no mistake about it, Aikido is a devastating martial art, the full power of which is rarely seen. However, as a student, you will strive to practice the principles of Aikido- extending ki(energy), centering, relaxation, mental focus and calm, in everything that you do. Thus you will find that your training is not limited to the dojo, but becomes part of your life and how you deal with situations.Aikido is a Japanese martial art that is a comprehensive system of throwing, joint locking and pinning techniques. It is defensive in nature, seeking to restore harmony to all situations. It was founded by Morihei Ueshiba, known as O'Sensei or "venerable teacher." He was born in 1883 and died in 1969 and was an accomplished martial artist who developed Aikido after years of training in other martial arts. For O'Sensei, Aikido was not only a martial art, but a way of life and a path for self-development by unifying the mind, body and spirit. True victory is victory over oneself.
All movement in Aikido is circular. Even if it appears direct and linear there are subtle spiral motions involved. Aikido techniques are designed to follow the body's natural movement. Joints are turned and exaggerated along their natural range of motion. This motivates the attacker to fall without damaging the joint. Aikido pins are designed with the same idea in mind and can be applied to and by anyone of any size with little or no muscular strength. Thus, in Aikido, a unique approach is exercised to handle an attack. Rather than clashing with or blocking the attack, Aikido's circular flowing techniques blend with it. The attack is welcomed, enveloped, absorbed and then redirected by the mind and the actions of the Aikidoist. In doing this, the aikidoist strives to achieve harmony in the situation, yielding a safe conclusion for both individuals.
Aikido principles hold to a defensive mode rather than to an offensive one. This is a key point, both on the mat and in life. One tends to lose his or her balance and inner peace when aggression is allowed to run the mind. This does not mean that we should lay down and passively accept everything that comes our way; rather, we should respect it, keep a good heart, and redirect it with a strong flow of life-affirming energy.
- Why study aikido?
As with any endeavor, we only get out of it what we put into it. In studying Aikido one can reap many benefits or none. It can be self-defense training, it can be philosophy, it can build self-confidence, it can be aerobic, or it can be all of those things. The choice is yours, however, it is a path and as with any path...it needs to be walked.
- Question: Is aikido a sport?
Aikido is not a sport, it does not have limiting rules that are typically made for safety of the practitioners, instead following the natural movements of the human body. Thus, almost its throws, joint locks, and strikes are in agreement with the natural movement of the human body and, therefore, increase strength rather than work against natural motion and harm the body. The Aikido practitioner never presents an opening for attack and does not assume threatening postures. Aikido is well suited to civilian defense. In Japan, its basic locks and hold-downs are taught to the Japanese police.
Vicksburg Aikikai
