Aikido - A Definition - Part #1
Excerpt from : "The Elements of Aikido" by Greg O'Connor
"... listen to the voice of Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind."- Morihei Ueshiba
Aikido is a martial art for lovers. Lovers of peace. It requires that you love yourself, that you love others, the good and not so, that you love the ground you walk on, the air your breathe, the dog who digs up your garden and the stars that beckon infinity. Aikido's magical techniques, its miraculous results and its use of the mysterious cosmic forces that we all possess have given it a mystical reputation, and deservedly so. It is in a class of its own among the martial arts. It has at its core a unique philosophical approach for a martial art: that the attacker must be cared for. The paradox of Aikido is that it is potentially lethal yet benevolently peaceful. Despite its real capabilities as a devastating method of self-defense, it is a system whose powerful techniques are mastered only through the pursuit of non-violence.
Aikido is beautiful to watch and even more rewarding to perform. To the uninitiated, Aikido is seen as a predominantly throwing and pinning art where one blends with an attack instead of clashing with it. The attacker's strength, momentum and energy are used to redirect the attack into dynamic projections or simple, yet effective, controlling pins. All the techniques in Aikido move one's partner in a natural manner. Because of the ethics of the art, the bends of the body and its joints are merely accentuated in a natural direction, allowing redirection and control without injury. If any minor pain is inflicted, it is merely for motivational purposes and as soon as the technique is released, any discomfort or pain disappears. Aikido's principles and ethics are such that if we do injure someone it simply is not good Aikido. In fact, I will go so far to say, it is not true Aikido.
Aikido is based on co-operation, mutual respect and friendship. Aikido is finesse - not force. Its philosophy, ideals and ethics are inseparable from the actual training. Its practice develops a strong, yet supple, relaxed body as well as a calm, clear mind, providing an inner peace which can then be passed on to others.
Those who are attracted to Aikido wish to be able to protect themselves, as well as others, easily and effectively, without resorting to the use of violence. Aikido's circular flowing techniques are fun, effective, and can be learned by anyone regardless of size, age, gender or athletic ability. Men, women and children all find Aikido appealing because its techniques are not based on pitting one's strength against another's. It is an art for anyone who seeks to be at peace with themselves and their surroundings.
As a martial art, Aikido gives one the ability to defend oneself without resorting to aggression. Concentration, awareness and focusing power are greatly enhanced while allowing for balance and calmness to be maintained in all situations. A healthy self-esteem, a clear head and a sound body are the result. This state of being is then naturally carried off the mat and into the activity of daily life.
The practitioner begins with a calm, balanced state of mind, body and spirit; in a state of peace. As an attack comes in, the Aikido practitioner, or aikidoka, maintains this state of being while adjusting and blending with the attack. The aikidoka can then redirect the attack safely away and into a variety of throws and pins while remaining fully aware of the opportunities for striking and retaliation, which present themselves within the openings created by the Aikido technique. Despite these opportunities, the aikidoka chooses to exercise the more peaceful, nonviolent resolution in completing the defense. The aikidoka can, if needed in a real life-and-death situation, perform any of Aikido's throws and pins with severe consequences. However, because of the preferred non-violence of the philosophy, the aikidoka trains to exercise the more ethical approach of every technique's capabilities. In the founder's words, 'Aikido is the loving protection of all things'. In essence, this means that Aikido is a method of protection for all beings, protection of the transgressor as well as the transgressed. In his words, 'it is a way to reconcile the world'.
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