Aikido History

Ai – Joining, Unifying, Combining, Fill

Ki – Spirit, Energy, Mood, Morals

Do – Way, Path

Aikido a Japanese “Martial Art” was founded by Professor Morihei Ueshiba (Commonly referred to as “O’Sensei” . who died in April 1969. His shrine can be seen today next to the dojo at Ibaraki in Iwama Japan. The type of Aikido which is still practiced today  is called “Traditional Aikido”.

Aikido is an extremely efficient and versatile martial art. It consists of many projections and immobilization techniques. Also a great deal of varied techniques are applied from all forms of attack including knife, sword and stick etc. Nevertheless, Aikido does not rely upon a weapon or weapons but shows that the body movements are the same whether one holds a weapon or not.

Some examples: “Aikido is not a way to fight with or defeat enemies; it is a way to reconcile the world and make all human beings one family.” “The essence of aikido is the cultivation of ki [a vital force, internal power, mental/spiritual energy].” “The secret of aikido is to become one with the universe.” “Aikido is primarily a way to achieve physical and psychological self-mastery.” “The body is the concrete unification of the physical and spiritual created by the universe.” And so forth. At the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of aikido, however, we may identify at least two fundamental threads: (1) A commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible. (2) A commitment to self-improvement through aikido training.