• Where to Practice Aikido?

    Aikido, Self Defense 17.05.2012 Comments Off

    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.

     

     

     

     

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  • Is Aikido Effective in Combat?

    Aikido, Self Defense 13.05.2012 Comments Off

    In the Aikido martial arts, you don’t need to verify whether it is effective to use the techniques ( being taught by the sensei or teacher) in times of combat or real situation where you need to defend yourself against your attacker. As long you, study, learn, and understand and accept its philosophy, the martial art will help you all the way in times of crisis.

    If you are familiar with the its way of life, you will know that Aikido is a martial art of peace, unity, and harmony and does not encourage brutality, violence or inflicting pain towards your opponent during combats or competitions. Likewise, if you really want to live with the techniques of the martial art, you need years of practice to fully master several techniques that are being taught by your sensei in order for you to act and defend yourself during a real situation.

    A lot of people think that by not able to hurt your opponent is a disadvantage for them. But in fact, this type of martial art will be able to provide you tons of advantages that you can carry on for the rest of your life. Basically, the movements that are taught are simple yet logical in a sense that you’re going to protect yourself against your attacker by using his strength to turn down him in return. In short, it’s a matter of redirecting his full power towards him rather than accepting that power.

    However, in a real situation, though you are equipped with the knowledge and skills about various techniques of what you’ve learned in Aikido, once you are faced with surprises and unexpected instances rarely you would use a technique you practiced in the Dojo. Initially, your instinct would be to improvise something that would help you defend yourself. In a way, the way to practice the Aikido helps that much where in you learn to improvise, to create your own technique at that same moment.

    Obviously, these techniques can “be practiced” for reasons of security but one must know them heartily and with a sense of understanding so that in return they can able to use these techniques in a good way not to create violence towards the other people.

    Finally, whether the Aikido martial art is effective in combat or not, the point here is that it merely teaches us unique philosophy or way of life that no matter what the situation is, violence isn’t the answer for everything. You can protect or defend yourself against your attacker without hurting him or her in return. And this is what the martial art wants us to recognize, to understand its philosophy and to try to become a better person in the world we are living at the same time defending ourselves but not merely inflicting violence to others.

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Using Aikido Martial Art to Manage Conflicts

    Aikido, Self Defense 10.05.2012 Comments Off

    Like in all scopes of knowledge, the education of Aikido martial art needs to be updated in order to discover the discipline more deeply. Nowadays, educators of this particular discipline need to define or make structures of the latest and oldest education related to their field and probably this is perhaps one of the main problems for great teachers to solve. Why? This is primarily because they need to try other approach apart from the traditional ones in order to provide their students the knowledge to learn the craft not only on the traditional way but on the most up-to-date way as well.

     

    However, one golden rule must not be forgotten when it comes with the martial art and this is the spirit of unity and harmony. In other words, even if these educators will use other versions of Aikido, it is still a must for them to teach their students about exercises and techniques that are rooted on the principles of the discipline and the objectives as well.

     

    At the moment, there is a special emphasis on the notion that Aikido is an “art of managing conflicts”. It should be pointed out that this does not limit the students from managing their problems from the dojo itself, rather, it should be stressed out that just by learning the craft students are taught about managing their lives in general including their physical, verbal, psychological, economic, social, and work aspects.

     

    Moreover, solving a conflict in an acceptable manner for both parties is achieve when they are able to fully understand what Aikido martial art really wants for its students to learn. Basically, the martial art does not merely teach the students on how to defend themselves but also teach them on how to become a better person to others. Simply by practicing these ways will lift their ethical values even outside the dojo or classroom. It is not about brutality but it’s all about peace, unity or harmony between two or more people.

     

    Going back with the practice of Aikido, uniting your own energy to the one which your attacker provides will secure a better force greater than your counter actions against him. In other words, use your opponent’s direct energy to turn him down or to protect yourself against him but not merely inflicting pain or causing him to suffer. As I’ve said, this martial art is not about being brutal but it’s about making you a better person at the same helping you protect yourself against an attacker.

     

    In the end, the secret passage to success in learning the martial art is by helping yourself realize the importance of learning deeply the techniques and principles of Aikido particularly when it comes with managing or solving conflicts in a good way. Instead of responding negatively, why not respond in a positive way while preventing your opponent attack you but less chance of inflicting him pain.

     

     

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  • Aikido – The Black Belt

    Aikido, Aikido techniques, Self Defense 02.05.2012 Comments Off

     What it Means to Have a Black Belt in Aikido?

    One of the most frequent questions we usually hear nowadays from sport enthusiasms when it comes with the Aikido martial art is , “How long it takes to obtain the black belt?”. Although an array of answers may arise from various schools, still majority of the students who obtain their black belts stated that it took them  years of hard-work, patience, and perseverance to learn the techniques of this martial art.

     

    Basically, obtaining an Aikido black belt entails not only a competent and highly skilled sensei or teacher but also a strong-willed student to follow and execute various types of techniques. As a student, you really need to do a lifelong study and a bunch of practices in order to shape up your skills, knowledge and above all your attitude since the martial art does not speak about brutality or inflicting pain to your opponents but it speaks about peacefulness, harmony, and self defense but simply redirecting your opponent’s force.

     

    Once you understand the real essence of Aikido and the way of life which the martial art teaches to all of its students and practitioners, your steps from getting the black belt is nearer than you think. Learn to become positive in every thing you do and all good things will come to you in no time. Nonetheless, as I’ve said, you need to train hard and to become humble at all times. Always treat your teachers as your great masters and don’t think that you far more better than them. Students may be good in doing the techniques of the martial art but it does not mean that they can boast about that.

     

    Truly, this martial art will not only help you to defend yourself in times of danger where an attacker tries to put you down but it also makes you a better person where you see a better life ahead of you rather than complaining about the ills of the world.  If you have the will to master a number of Aikido techniques, with a good heart and soul, and right attitude to face all hardships from a bunch of training, you will surely reach the ladder of success towards getting your black belt.

     

    Remember, there is no easy way towards success so better do everything you can to get what you desire and this is getting the black belt but sees to it to maintain a positive way of life while mastering the strategies or techniques of the Aikido martial art.

     

     

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  • Benefits of Aikido Practice

    Aikido, Self Defense 26.04.2012 Comments Off

    The Aikido practice is an art of improving an individual’s physical and mental faculties and simply nurtures the person himself. It does not put a dominion over learning techniques about fighting but rather educates the authentic followers on how important it is to understand a sense of calmness and serenity within oneself. This way, the martial art can simply transform and improve a person’s personality and above all, his life in general.

     

    Aikido as a Form of Educative Discipline

    The martial art teaches individuals on various ways on how to live with a deep sense of well-being. With this discipline, this changes a person’s outlook from a chaotic idea towards a more peaceful way of living where there is balance between all aspects of oneself.

    Basically, the followers/students are taught in a calm atmosphere where they can do introspection so there will be both physical and mental harmony within themselves. The discipline does not merely teach self-defense techniques but also teaches on how to become better persons so they can respond positively to various aspects of their lives.

     

    Aikido as an Art of Self-defense

    The practice of Aikido is a means of educating the students without having to deal with rage, fear or grudge. Individuals must agree with the natural laws and use these very well in order to allow them to appropriately use the energy of the attacker to take him down without inflicting too much pain.

    According to the principles, the martial art provides them various self defense techniques but will only going to use these once there is an unjust or unpredictable attack occurs. Again, it’s important to remember that causing injuries to your attacker isn’t an option but rather neutralizing the attack to defend merely yourself.

     

    Aikido as a Discipline of Integral Development

    During the training, students are taught about the spirit of serenity, the rejection of violence, the non-resistance, and the utmost respect to all human beings. In other words, this develops the totality of a person doing the martial art. It provides balance between your physical (helps you to become flexible) and mental (helps you to attain serenity and harmony) aspects all at once within yourself and to other people around you.

     

    Aikido as a Way to Spiritual Life

    The Aikido practice  is the way to spiritual life since it purifies all the negative energy from the practicing individuals. To follow the discipline can lead each individual towards seeing a more deeper sense of goodness like appreciating better ways of living, by being sincere, kind, just and by being directed to good freedom.

     

    By and large, engaging in this martial art and practice the Aikido with  great sense of responsibility and acceptance will lead the individuals towards the opportunity on directing themselves into a more positive life rather than directing on negative energy while doing the wrong things.

     

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  • Aikido Rolling Technique

    Aikido, Aikido techniques, Self Defense 18.02.2012 No Comments

    The martial art is founded on the idea of using life energy or the energy flowing within oneself to perform a blend of movements that will take down an opponent without injuring him. In short, it’s more on a defensive kind of art rather than an offensive one. In Aikido, there are various techniques which are taught to practitioners and students and one of these is the aikido rolling technique.

    Aikido practitioners should know initially on how to fall and roll appropriately and in fact, just by knowing the technique will serve as a starting point towards mastering hundreds to thousands of techniques written in the history of the martial art.

    How to Start Aikido Rolling Technique

    1. Commence in a sitting position just like an Indian sitting style. So, one of your feet should come up in the thigh while the other one come out and toes are pointed out. This position will prevent your feet being locked and stuck at times you need to defend yourself. Specifically, if someone hits or pushes you, the ability to move easily is possible with this kind of sitting.
    2. The first principle of the rolling technique is to stay in the sitting position to help you fall correctly while keeping you safe from any injury.
    3. Afterwards, you need to roll back while letting your feet come about.
    4. Extend your hands for support while keeping your cheek, neck and chin in place and lock.
    5. Try to create as many bends as possible back and forth. Keep this more softly and calm because this will help you perform the technique correctly.

    However, while doing the rolling movement can somehow put extra resistance with mild pain sensation at the back of the body.

    Overall, it is recommended to practice it in a therapeutic way rather than learning the aikido rolling technique solely to keep you from getting injuries while falling in the ground.

    To fully grasp on how to perform the technique correctly and precisely view the video above.

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  • Aikido: Various Weapons and Techniques

    Aikido, Aikido techniques, Self Defense 16.02.2012 1 Comment

    Despite the fact that this martial art is founded on the main philosophy of Morihei Ueshiba (founder) which is the essence of unarmed combat, he still sees the need of being skillful in using various Aikido weapons and techniques as a form of self defense.

    Generally, majority of the techniques with or without using weapons are incorporated with movements that are more defensive rather than offensive. In fact, all students are being taught about stopping the attacker solely rather than injuring him. This is the main reason on why weapons are rarely utilized in the martial art. However, there are advanced Aikido practitioners who still opt for understanding and mastering the craft in using all types of Aikido weapons.

    However, the greatest weapon most practitioners used in defending themselves against an attacker is merely their mastery on the Aikido defensive techniques.

    To get in touch with several weapons used in the martial art along with various techniques used in handling them are described below.

    1. Tanto Or Short Sword

    The Tanto is one of the most favored weapons by the samurais since it’s extremely useful in close quarter combat particularly in daggering through an opponent’s armor and it’s considered as a secondary weapon which samurais carry most of the time.

    1. Jo Staff

    The Jo Staff is considered as a Japanese wooden staff made from hardwood. This can be utilized in kata or along with other Jo and somehow has historical linkage from the famous Katana. Moreover, Jo Staffs are mainly used by a lot of martial artists because these are designed with simplicity and sophistication. In fact, Ueshiba had tailored the Jo (so-called Aikijo) just to teach all the Aikido principles to his disciples.

    1. Bokken Sword

    Finally, the bokken sword mastery can lead most practitioners towards katana mastery as well. This is quite a pricey Japanese wooden sword which is use as an alternative from a real sword in most martial arts training curriculums such as Kenjutsu, Kendo, and our very own Aikido.

    Likewise, a bokken sword closely resembles a katana but sometimes can be like other swords such as tanto or wakizashi.

    These are a few of the most popular Aikido weapons to date but there are in fact, a lot more to know about all the weapons used in this martial art so better research more on this matter to fully equipped yourself with all the needed information you wish to know.

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  • Intermediate Aikido Technique: Munetsuki

    Aikido, Aikido techniques, Self Defense 14.02.2012 6 Comments

    In Aikido martial arts, students are taught with various intermediate techniques for striking an opponent or attacker. These are used as a mere self defense only since the martial art is all about using unifying life energy to defend yourself while avoiding your attacker from getting injured. Munetsuki Kotegaishi is one of those intermediate striking techniques that should be learned by any student or practitioner.

    The technique is simply known as a straight body punch and anyone can do the punching but the most common error for most aikido practitioners is that they don’t know much on how to strike soundly. You can see that a lot of practitioners in this martial art only use Munetsuki as a simple punch in hitting the opponent which is in fact, not a very good strategy if you based it on a real fighting situation.

    During a real fight, when the attacker pushes you back and you need to hit your attacker simply by using the ordinary punch, your opponent might laugh at you instead. So in this case, when your attacker pushes you back you need to hit him in return with an extraordinary punch immediately. However, during an intermediate aikido striking, begin with the basic stance which is stepping and punching but not purely punching only but rather punching right through the person with force and afterwards perform various forms of punches such as upward punches, hook punches, upper cut punches so on and forth.

    Remember that Munetsuki in aikidois simply performed by striking or hitting the center part of the abdomen. In doing the technique, it is crucial that you know how and where to hit the attacker to cause the maximum blow. If you’re going to hit your opponent in the middle section, hit the pressure point found primarily below the nipple line on the rib cage. Likewise, another pressure point perfect for striking is found below the xiphoid process.

    Finally, students in the aikido martial arts are taught by the instructors with three good body sections or pressure points to perform effectively the Munetsuki striking technique particularly in times where you need to defend yourself against the attacker.

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Engaging Aikido Martial Art Even at the Age of Fifty

    Aikido, Self Defense 02.02.2012 No Comments

    Practicing and learning Aikido martial art even at the age of fifty isn’t a bad idea after all. One review talks about a fifty year old person who signed up for an Aikido curriculum where the expert master said that it’s pretty uncommon for someone like him at his age to be that kind of eager to learn the martial art philosophy while practicing it all together.

    On the positive viewpoint, beginning to learn a martial art like this for older people can help them in learning how to fall in a nice way. In the medical aspect, an aged person who experiences falling can sometimes threaten his wellbeing because it is a normal process for the bones to become fragile as we go older but an Aikido routine can help them in becoming less susceptible with having faster fragile bones.

    For those who aren’t yet familiar with the basic concept of Aikido, this can be explain in one sentence which is a martial art that focuses both on teaching self-defense while letting the practitioners follow the art of harmony.

    To elaborate, Aikido martial art does not concentrate on hurting your opponent or attacker but rather allowing you to use special techniques to bring him down into the ground to protect you from any attack. You are to use a center force with a calm mind and body so the energy flowing in your system (“Ki”) can be appropriately utilized.

    For those who are over fifty years old who seem to like in learning martial arts similar to this, it’s not too late for you guys provided that you still have good physical and mental condition. This way, you can become energetic and healthy while taking away your inactive lifestyle. Moreover, you’ll find peace not only in mind but in your heart also because this teaches you the concept of serenity.

    If you’re too inquisitive on the way of Aikido martial art, then you should start studying and practicing this discipline if you can for a healthier and livelier lifestyle.

     

     

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  • Aikido Samurai Sword

    Aikido, Self Defense 31.01.2012 1 Comment

    The Aikido is a martial art that focuses on the spiritual and philosophical growth of oneself. However, students are taught to use two forms of combat and self-defense, both the armed and unarmed forms. For the unarme
    Among the sword arts, katana (Aikido samurai sword) is generally used in most of the Aikido trainings. To fully understand, you need to know about all its parts so you can use it effectively during most of your sword trainings.d

     

    form, they are taught an array of throws, strikes, and joint-lock methods while the armed form involves the use of various weapons such as the Aikido sword, staff (jo), and knife (tanto).

    1)      Back- The katana’s back portion is usually used to block the opponent’s weapon.

    2)     Blade- It is the length of the steel that outlines the structure of the sword and usually has a size between 10-12 inches.

    3)     Edge- This is called the Kisaki; Ki means to cut and saki means tip; this is the sharp section of the blade.

    4)     Hand guards- This is called the Tsuba and can be found in between the blade and the handle portion.  Usually, the style is simple and plain but sometimes the design is attractive.

    5)     Handle- This is called the Tsuka; it is made from a shark’s fin and serves as the inner section of the handle and responsible for providing a strong grip.

    6)     Lower end of the blade- This part is use for striking and usually called as Tsuka Kashida where kashida is the head and Tsuka is the handle.

    7)     Saya- This is called the scabbard or the sword case and it’s made from a wood.

    8)    Sage-o- This is called a hanging board, a piece of fabric or rope which aids in connecting it to your belt.

    The Aikido sword has the utmost influence in developing Aikido weapon techniques particularly when it comes to self-defense since it is inevitable that your attackers might be carrying several weapons.

    So, better familiarize all parts of the Katana to help you in incorporating the sword techniques during trainings, competitions or during unexpected situations where you need to defend yourself.

     

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