• The Need For A Weapon In Aikido: How Is That Harmonious?

    Aikido 01.02.2012 No Comments

    The Aikido discipline is all about peace, harmony and love but what if something unexpected happen to you like it really involves huge violence and thus threatens your life? What is the necessary application towards that action, is there a need to use a weapon in Aikido just to protect yourself from your attacker? Let us find this out.

    Let’s say, if you have a sword or a weapon in Aikido, how is that harmonious? Well, if you will look in the context of this martial art it’s surely not in connivance with its principles which is unity and inner peace. However, if you’ll dig deeper the weapon used in the martial art isn’t about cutting or hurting your attacker but it’s about cutting more in a perspective of maintaining timing, learning timing, learning distance, and learning where is your focal point and to maintain that in all circumstances.

    Well, using weapon in Aikido can serve as a distraction because a normal being will surely split his focus and tends to get distracted whenever there is

    a weapon in his hand. If you get distracted, your mind will take away your existent focus and might end up unprotected from your attacker.

    Most Aikido practitioners including the students should undergo lots of practice along with a weapon like a sword in order to become one with the weapon. To explain it further, the real essence of a weapon in this martial art is to train an individual’s body moves as if he is still carrying a sword.  If you put down your sword and return on the mat to begin again your training with your partner, you have still the sword in you and not merely the physical presence of the sword but a sword within yourself and this point of change is so-called riay. You move as if the weapon is still in your hand but in fact, it isn’t. Thus, when you learn how to apply a sword technique simply by using your bare hands in a form of hand technique, you’re actually learning about the concept of riay.

    Likewise, when you become part of the sword, it will broaden you, enters in you and eventually focuses toward you. However, it isn’t easy to master the technique especially for beginners but doing meditation would simply help practitioners and students to master it eventually. Also, all should undergo a Suburi practice (practice swings used in martial arts and some areas of sports) wherein each practitioner/student endures cyclic individual cutting exercise.

    A weapon in Aikido relates in a deeper sense of becoming one with the sword not by its mere physical entity but rather preserving the sword within you hence; this is one way of maintaining your focal point.

     

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  • Aikido Samurai Sword

    Aikido, Self Defense 31.01.2012 No Comments

    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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  • The Way of Yoshinkan Aikido Martial Arts

    Aikido 30.01.2012 No Comments

    All practitioners and students of Aikido are simply taught about the essence of peace and harmony in learning and understanding the martial art. It consists of a lot of styles and techniques including the Yoshinkan Aikido which is called the hug style.

    During the Japanese era back in 9th century, Aikido was used by the samurais in dealing with their attackers in times that they found themselves vulnerable on the battle arena.

    However, its philosophy or way of life is more about getting far away with violence that’s why all the way through the 20th century Aikido martial arts constantly advance into a number of school practices. In fact, Yoshinkan Aikido is frequently one of the most popular styles which most Japanese studies tackle about.

    Different schools of Aikido always have a time to share with each other’s core at least two basic trends including a commitment for self-improvement right through the martial art training and a commitment  for peaceful resolutions during conflicts.

    Moreover, Aikido is usually perceived by a lot of practitioners as a sophisticated kind of martial art since it teaches each student on how to master the “Ki” or the universal energy in order to improve one’s inner spiritual self. Practices are held in a dojo and usually starts each class with a number of warm ups including tumbling exercises.

    Doing the routine ensures that students can able to learn on how to have lots of good falls so that afterwards they can able to think straight what counter attack technique to be used.

    One of the styles of this martial art is the Yoshinkan Aikido. It consists mainly of huge number of techniques and about 150 basic techniques have been mastered while there are more than 3000 remaining to be learned about. Indeed, this is actually one discipline that needs to be understood and learned for a long time.

    By doing the Aikido trainings, you’ll surely improve your flexibility, stamina, and eventually muscle tends to develop in no time. Bear in mind that it doesn’t merely depends on physical strength but rather rely on mental strength.

    Finally, if you want to experience a martial art which strengthens your mental and spiritual aspects rather than physical strengthening, Aikido seems the one you’re looking for plus you get to learn one of the most popular styles which is the Yoshinkan Aikido.

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  • Aikido Practice in Real Life

    Aikido 18.01.2012 No Comments

    AikidoThe Japanese modern martial art called Aikido is frequently referred to as an art of peace and harmony where the mind and body are being unified and away from any form of hostility. Every Aikido practice requires practitioners to be taught about how to relax since the entire philosophy focuses on unifying all aspects of yourself to perform the techniques in the right way.

    Significance of “Ki”

    Practitioners usually undergo Aikido practice in a dojo. During trainings, masters and instructors teach their students the importance of flexibility and adaptability. They believed in the notion that the power of “Ki” (life force) can only freely flow to its full-blown potential energy if one is able to relax both the body and mind.

    In this sense, the “Ki” is a concept that can be concluded as the very foundation of the Aikido martial arts. In other point of view, having superior strength in physical aspect can commonly obstructs the “Ki” that’s why rather than teaching the students about muscle and strength building, they are taught about endurance and flexibility as part of their Aikido martial arts training.

    Benefits of Searching Inner Peace

    Aikido practice in real life is only possible if practitioners/students submit themselves in a spiritual journey because it’s in the search of inner peace that can truly help them in carrying out the techniques properly and above all, can help them in dealing with mundane issues in their lives. In other words, your strength comes from within rather than from your physical strength.

    To learn about Aikido’s philosophy while to fully grasp the essence of finding inner peace is something that you can hold on to help you to become a better person.

    Aikido in your Everyday Life!aikido martial art

    Masters and instructors nurture the maturity of one’s spiritual and characteristic aspects of the students/practitioners during trainings in order to allow them to apply all Aikido principles in their everyday life where even in the midst of their toughest challenges in life can able them to stand up and continue to  move on.

    Hence, an Aikido practice is something that can aid the totality of one being to become a better person in discovering the right path towards his/her real happiness and success.

     

     

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  • Aikido and its Philosophy

    Aikido, Self Defense 17.01.2012 No Comments

    aikidoAikido is one of the highest growing and recently established major martial arts around the world. It is both a philosophical and a modern martial art where many people are captivated to understand the aikido philosophy and to practice it simultaneously as a way of life.

    However, each individual who wishes to learn and practice Aikido should above all, understand heartily the very foundation of the martial art which its name translates as the way of harmony. Basically, this is non-competitive Japanese martial arts wherein it doesn’t teach about punching and kicking techniques as a form of self-defense.

    Instead, aikido philosophy is based upon the notion of using a mixture of entering, blending, and turning techniques to permit an individual who’s being assaulted to scrutinize the situation from the attacker’s point of view prior to the execution of the most suitable Aikido techniques.

    Who is the founder?Morihei Ueshiba

    Morihei Ueshiba was a flimsy and sickly child who didn’t even know that he will become known someday as the O’Sensei or the great teacher of aikido martial art. For years, he dedicated himself on sword trainings and even practiced hand-to-hand combat techniques. At the age of 42, this greatly changed not only his life but the whole martial arts as well.

    At some point in time, Monihero Saito Sensei became a living student of O’Sensei for almost 23 years and this led him to create a teaching system called Iwama style aikido. This system is rooted on the aikido philosophy in which the body is being used in order to teach the mind to attack with the use of both traditional Japanese wooden weapons and empty-handed techniques to develop basic knowledge, talents, and centeredness (goal-oriented).

    Relevance of Practicing Aikido:

    Practicing this type of martial art is rooted upon a dynamic aikido philosophy that focuses entirely on the notion of peace, harmony, and spiritual power. This idea is very crucial in keeping a sense of balance, prudence, and centeredness during a life predicament or unexpected event thereby, reducing anxiety, stress, and pain to produce more positive results in an individual’s physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects.

    Hence, aikido isn’t about changing others but it’s about helping yourself to change into a better person.

    Check out this video to fully grasp the real essence of Aikido.

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  • Want to Earn an Aikido Belt?

    Aikido, Self Defense 16.01.2012 No Comments

    aikido beltsAikido belt is like a token for being a diligent Aikido practitioner and it is a sign of prestige for studying this martial art for long years.

    Acquiring an Aikido belt entails lots of enthusiasm, strong will, and flexibility because a martial art similar to this is merely different from the rest of the mix martial arts. It focuses more on inner peace and harmony and limits on inflicting pain and harm against other individual. It is more on the aspect of self-defense rather than on the aspect of combat.

    • If you want to study Aikido you need to find expert masters to teach you about its specific skills and techniques. You can actually locate them once you consider some prestige schools which have good credentials and good way of teaching.

    • To master all most of the techniques, you need to dedicate yourself in practicing like three to four times every week. You don’t need to practice everyday because some students may have a tendency to have short-lived determination if they worn out too much in doing practices.

    • Another way to earn a prestige belt is to perform relaxation technique since this aikido beltsport/martial art doesn’t necessitate an individual to exert a lot of physical exertion. The concept lies on having harmony both in mind and body so in return you can execute properly the techniques needed for passing the curriculum.

    • Once you study this curriculum, you must be aware of the different rankings of the students in relation with the school policy which you can eventually see on the belts they’re wearing. However, the conventional schools that teach this kind of martial art have only two belt colors, white and black belts. The former is for beginners and the latter is for the skillful students who manage to pass the tests.

    If you want to earn your Aikido belt, you need to work hard on it for over a period of three years or more. By having devotion, patience and positive sense of wellbeing, you can gain it but still depends on your knowledge and skills.

     

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  • Aikido and Diabetes

    Being Healthy 15.01.2012 No Comments

    Aikido and Diabetes – Do They Mix?

    Aikido and DiabetesMany people wonder about whether diabetics should partake in physical activity, such as practicing Aikido. Well, the answer is most definitely YES! (Consult your physician first!!!) For most diabetics, practicing Aikido is exactly what the doctor ordered. If your blood sugar level is consistently under 250, you need to be engaged in some type of physical activity. Aikido fits this need perfectly.

    Aikido and Diabetes mix because in Aikido, you can use a low impact martial art to help you raise your heart rate, a key to keeping blood sugar levels in check. Additionally, the low impact aspect of Aikido benefits the body by not adding excessive stress to the bones. Of course, if you desire to step it up a notch and have a more aggressive workout, that is possible with Aikido too!

    Since at the core, Aikido is the peaceful martial art, you are going to be more aware of the serenitypassivity that one can use for effective self defense. By practicing Aikido, you will be more in touch with your inner man and have more peace and serenity. Through increasing your understanding of Aikido, you will understand how relaxing can be beneficial to life. Also, in terms of Diabetes, taking the time to relax has its benefits. One should have as a goal, maintaining healthy heart habits. Relaxing is something that can be used to lower your stress and therefore your blood pressure levels.

    Another thing to consider is taking vitamin and mineral supplements. Vitamins for diabetics are very important. They can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. And this is after all, what we desire for all diabetics.

    Aikido and Diabetes do mix well, if you are willing to put the time in and receive all the benefits that practicing Aikido and Diabetes have in common. For more information on how practicing Aikido can help diabetics, check out the Health.com website, and also WebMD.com, and the Mayo Clinic.

     

    Check out this cool video about how to monitor your health.

     

    Since Aikido is the way of unifying with life energy, you can see how it is so beneficial to take part in. Also, you know that monitoring your health is necessary in order for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, nutrition and monitoring are the pillars for a healthy life.

    So you know that exercising is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the option is now yours. You can jog, run, bike or lift weights. Or you can practice martial arts. Aikido is one of the best options available for those living with diabetes. Aikido and Diabetes do mix!

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  • Aikido at 50?

    Being Healthy 14.01.2012 No Comments

    Aikido Martial Art at the Age of Fifty

    aikido at 50Practicing and learning Aikido martial art even at the age of fifty isn’t a bad idea after all. One review online 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. 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.

     

    You can learn more about Aikido at Wikipedia or Aikido FAQ.

    For those of you 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 yourself 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.

    serenityFor those who are over fifty years old who seem to like 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 even more 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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  • How to Learn Aikido Martial Art

    Aikido, Self Defense 22.12.2011 No Comments

    How to Learn Aikido Martial Art

    martial artLearning a martial art like Aikido is not so difficult after all if you have the will power, passion, and open-mindedness to simply grasp its main concept which is the essence of self defense while having the notion of spiritual harmony. Rather than making your attacker get hurt, all you need to do to protect yourself is by learning some techniques to let him lose his balance.

    This martial art isn’t about performing combat but instead teaches the practitioner on the idea of peace and unity both in the body and mind. With this, you would learn the first concept from the three kanji which is “Ai” (the spirit of harmony).

    Here are tips to follow to learn further about Aikido, the martial art:

    1. Initially, you need to understand heartily its philosophy and long history timeline because this will help you grasp deeply the important elements you need in studying techniques in this martial art.
    2. Ensure to have better health and sense of relaxation since both of these will help you get through in most series of techniques. This time you’ll learn the second concept which is “Ki” (talks about energy flowing within us).
    3. In relation with number two, locate your physical and mental axis since a relaxed body and mind can help your energy flow smoothly. In this martial art. it is needed during your movements. Hara is a term called for strong “Ki” so better focus but try to relax more.
    4. Don’t limit your ability in Aikido, the martial art. Instead use every speck of it. It is a matter of going beyond your limit to learn it not just physically and mentally but heartily as well.aikido martial art
    5. Remember that Aikido uses a cycle of holds and throws but is limited in making your opponent get injured. Most techniques are used by the entire body in a round motion while using a center force. This time you’re practicing the remaining kanji Dō (a path leading to a passive martial art).

    Learn more about Aikido, the peaceful martial art, in the video below:

    Learning is a continuous process, so never stop learning if you’re into Aikido because this way you’ll surely master the peaceful martial art.

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  • Self Defense and Inner Peace

    Self Defense 21.12.2011 1 Comment

    Self Defense and Inner Peace with Aikido Martial Arts

    self defense

    Finding the right martial art for you is essential if you want to learn some concepts of self defense which to some extent supports your personality. Well, there are various selections of martial arts out there but if you’re interested in learning self defense while finding inner peace both for your body and mind, Aikido is the perfect choice for you. Below is an overview that you need to remember before deciding to practice this type of martial art.

    Aikido is a Japanese martial art introduced by Morihei Ueshiba around the 1920s. What sets it apart from other forms of self defense techniques is its expression of unifying life energy which in fact, in connivance with Ueshiba’s philosophy of peace and understanding where you can defend yourself while preventing your attacker from getting hurt.

    The principle centers on unification with the movements of attacker for manipulating their actions with limited effort. This is one perceptive way of finding out the intention while blending with the rhythmic movement of your attacker. So in response you can find the right technique and timing for your counter-technique which is very comparable with the concept of Jigoro Kano, creator of Judo, another form of martial art which is self defense driven.

    Check out this video on Aikido self defense:

    Most of Japanese martial arts demand that you should undergo both physical and mental aspect training. However, when you undergo the Aikido curriculum, the physical training actually varies including general physical fitness, the essence of conditioning, and several specific techniques. This revolves around on the fusion of controlled flexibility, relaxation, and endurance but do not highlight more on vigor training. All these are very important factors when considering self defense and how to disarm an attacker.

    Aikido self defenseNowadays, Aikido is introduced worldwide consisting of numerous styles but with a wide array of emphasis and analysis. You must understand that learning this martial art don’t necessitate a person to become an offensive practitioner, rather it is self defense focused. The initial step in understanding its essence and approach is highlighted on its three kanji: Ai (suggests an expression of unity), Ki (suggests an expression of feeling, self-confidence, energy), and Dō (a notion of pathway that bonds with philosophical concept of “Tao” like the view of Judo and Kendo but more on a non-violent martial art).

    As you study Aikido you will become very adept in self defense and how to overcome an attacker.

     

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