Want to know more about Aikido moves?FounderMorihei UeshibaHe is often referred to as Kaiso meaning "founder" of Aikido(or many old Aikido moves), or Ôsensei which means "Great Teacher". Want more detail on the
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HistoryA japanese martial art that is translated to "the way of harmonious spirit".This style focuses on defending yourself without severely injuring your attacker.
Aikido moves concentrate on taking the force of the attack and redirecting it back while using very little energy. In general, it is considered a grappling art. The development of the art started around the late 1920's. The main art from which it takes aspects of is a style of jujitsu with a lot of joint manipulations and throwing techniques. It also uses the body movements of sword fighting forms. The practitioner is usually seen in a typical Aikido Gi.
Aikido Techniques - Ki Energy: The Strength Under the SurfaceObi Wan Kenobi, mentor of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, talked to him about the Force, which was a mysterious power that flows through all living beings and binds the Galaxy together.While we have not learned to lift spaceships with it, those of us that practice the martial art, believe that Ki is a form of power, which goes beyond the physical strength of muscles. As in akido, this Ki energy flows through us and originates in our center or One-Point. Two important concepts, which relate to Ki development are: The Unbendable Arm and Breathing to Generate Mental Relaxation The Unbendable Arm - Is it possible that the invisible energy can keep the arm from bending? In a word, yes. Ki energy is an invisible force, which lies just beneath the surface. In order to help a student understand that such power does actually exist and that it can be harnessed, the unbendable arm exercise has been developed. One can imagine that Ki energy is similar to water, which is stored in a huge lake we refer to as our One-point or center. We can then imagine that our mind can direct this flow of water out of our arm as if to put out an imaginary fire. What they learn is that it is much more difficult to bend an arm in this state than it is when it is held rigid with pure muscle power. The fact that this state can be achieved even when we instruct our students to maintain relaxed hands by wiggling their fingers tends to further reinforce the concept that the arm is kept unbendable by using a power that goes beyond the muscle.
Breathing to generate mental relaxation - The focus of the four principles of Aikido is to generate Ki energy or power though relaxation of the mind. Aikido practitioners believe that the relaxed mind is essential to the unimpeded flow of Ki. This relaxed mental and physical state does not just happen, in fact the more extraneous thoughts that run through the mind, the more Ki flow is restricted. Misogi breathing helps the student to release these stressful thoughts and to relax by focusing on breathing. The student sits comfortably, with eye half closed, and imagines that breath is flows into the nose, through the mind and down into the center or one-point, which expands with the breath. In the exhalation phase of the exercise the breath moves from the center through the mind and out the mouth in an "ahhhh" sound. The goal of this exercise is to release all extraneous thoughts permitting the mind to relax and that the breathing becomes the all encompassing focus of the mind. Through Misogi breathing, the mind and body become united rather than disconnected where tension from the mind creates tension in the body.
Aikido techniques flow smoothly only when the body is completely relaxed. When in a relaxed state, one is aware of their surrounding and potential threats. When one is relaxed, the weight is truly on the underside making leading movements and connections solid and powerful. Finally, a relaxed mind and body permits ki to flow in an unrestricted manner generating substantial power and force. It is the harmonization of energies, like the joining of two streams, that permit energy to be redirected and for balance of uke to be disturbed, creating the opening for the desired Aikido moves. Just as Yoda draws upon the Force for energy in Star Wars, Aikido practitioners draw upon the power of Ki, which originates from the one-point or center. Tools, such as the unbendable arm and Misogi breathing can help us develop this energy as we strive to relax completely. Aikido, then, helps us join the mind and body so that this Ki energy can be maximized in Aikido moves. About the Author For great free information check out Aikido Techniques. There are a ton of great articles on Aikido moves and more information about Ki energy here.
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It is rooted in several different fighting styles including Jujitsu and some sword and spear fighting arts.
