A Brief Description of Aikido


Aikido is a relatively modern Japanese martial art derived from Daito Ryu Aiki-jujitsu by Morihei Ueshiba. Ueshiba combined his vast knowledge of the Japanese fighting arts with his belief in pacifism to create Aikido, which is a totally defensive system of fighting.

The Aikido practitioner attempts not to hurt the attacker unless absolutely necessary. Ideally, the attacker is subdued and pinned, so that he can cause no further harm.  

The biggest difference between Aikido and most martial arts systems with which people are familiar is that there are almost no punches or kicks in Aikido. What few there are, are used just for distraction. Aikido attacks the physical weak points of the body--the joints. It is sometimes thought of as a grappling art, with arm bars and wrist locks combined with throwing techniques. In reality it is more of a cutting art, using the motions and movements of a Japanese sword fighter.

 
Also, Aikido is different from other martial arts in that it utilizes the attacker's own attacking power and intention against himself. If the attacker pushes, the defender pulls. If the attacker pulls, the defender pushes. Force is never met with force. Rather, the weight of the attacker's momentum is used against him to unbalance him and knock him down. This makes Aikido perhaps the only martial art whose performance is not enhanced by being physically big, unusually strong, or unnaturally fast. With proper speed and timing, even relativly small people can effectively use Aikido for self defense against much bigger opponents.

The Mushin Dojo

Here at the Mushin Dojo we utilize a variety of teaching methods to transmit the basic principles that are the basis for all good aikido.  Our instructors have extensive experience in several different aikido training systems, including both classical aikido and Tomiki aikido.  It is our belief that by utilizing what we think are the best training concepts and methods from the various aikido systems, we can teach the basic principles in such a way as to make it easier for the average person to learn and utilize them more quickly and effectively.