Aikido is the modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba during 1920s to 1960s. The art of unity and harmony is the main principle of this martial art.
In order to execute the techniques of Aikido and do the movements appropriately, students must be in a more relax or peaceful state. The principle also teaches the students to develop their spiritual and philosophical aspects as human beings while reflecting their capacity in using the techniques of the martial art Aikido in the dojo.
Dojo is the Japanese term referring to the place where the students are taught about the different techniques of the martial art. Basically, the authentic and traditional aikido dojo only serves as a place for formal and symbolic meetings and rarely uses as a place to shape up.
Nevertheless, the dojo from the modern Aikido does not have distinction anymore to whether the place is for the formation or just merely for the practice. In fact, in the majority of the cases, both are the same actually.
Some places that are used as dojo still remain authentic where students can experience a place in a more traditional way. These students even have ritual cleaning right after each session of training. Not only for hygienic intentions but the reason why they have ritual cleaning activities is to reinforce that dojo is made up and administered by the students of Aikido, rather than the institution itself.
More traditional dojo observes different entrances specified for the masters and majority of the students. This policy must be followed and should be respected. The students will commonly enter into the dojo in the corner left entrance while instructors will enter from the right corner. Traditional dojo also contains certain devices and objects to improve the formal meetings. For example, it involves a place for a Shinto sanctuary and a spectator for special visitors.
These traditional practices are only practice in Japan but today, in order for the students of Aikido to learn easily and quickly, they must find a dojo near to them so they can attend the practice regularly.
It is also vital to find a respectable Aikido dojo where students not only can attend the sessions continuously but to learn the authentic lessons of the martial art particularly its principles of self defense but in essence of unity and harmony.
Aikido is a form of martial art that ironically promotes by being a pacifist rather than being an aggressive being. All techniques are well executed not by means of brutality. Instead, it nurtures the students’ aspects of philosophy and spiritual. In short, the principles merely teach the practitioners to become better persons but can still defend themselves in times of crisis. Thus, if you really want to learn authentic aikido martial art, it’s a must to choose a dojo where you can surely learn its principles and techniques effectively.









