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Friday, September 2, 2016

Aikido

Introduction
Aikido is the most graceful martial art I know.  A student/s of Aikido is called Aikidoka.  It has a rich history and sweet exercises and techniques.  Ki is very important in Aikido.  It has diversified over the years and it as influenced other martial arts.  Even some famous people do Aikido.

History
Morihei Ueshiba created Aikido in Japan in 1942.  He learned Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu from Takeda Sokaku. He created his own version of it.  Then he went to China and studied martial arts.  All of that learning gave him the ability to create Aikido.  He became a ki master.  He could make himself unmovable using ki.  He could defeat multiple opponents at the same time.
Aikido became popular after masters of this martial art went to France, Italy, Australia, Germany, and the USA. They taught practitioners of other martial arts different Aikido techniques.  Koichi Tohei created his own dojo in Hawaii for Aikido.  Now there are dojos around the world for Aikido.
Krav Maga got some techniques from Aikido.

Philosophy of Aikido
Ai means merging, Ki means spirit, and do means path.  Aikido means joining the way of spirit. Aikido central focus is becoming one with nature and universal brotherhood.  This martial art emphasized defending yourself against an attacker without hurting them.  It is all about peace, love, and harmony.  We must unite the mind, body, and soul, so we can create a better world.        

Exercises
The first exercise is learning how to fall and roll.  Then you are taught throws and pins.  Finally, you are taught how to defend yourself against multiple opponents.  Aikidoka are taught how to relax, joint flexibility, and endurance.  Strength training is not taught.  Each class starts off with stretches and fall breaks.
Training consists of an attacker (uke) and a defender (tori).  Tori learns to use the energy of uke against them.  Uke learns to remain calm even when off balance.  As they level up the uke will use counterattacks.
Techniques
Front of the Head Strike: It is causing the heel of your hand to hit your opponent head.

Side of the Head Strike: Same as top, but hold hand sideways.

Chest Thrust: Punch to the Chest.

Face Thrust: Punch to the face.

Single Hand Grab- One hand grabs wrist.

Both Hands Grab- You grab one wrist with both hands or both wrists.

There are many other techniques as well.
Ki
Ki is the lifeforce.  It travels throughout your body and the universe.  If you want it to flow better: improve your posture, breathing, centering, and extensions.  By increasing the flow of ki your health will improve, you will become smarter, and a better martial artist.
Slits of Aikido
Aikikai: This school of Aikido is run by Morihei family.  This school encompasses many different styles and it doesn't emphasize Ki.  It is very traditional.

Yoshinkan: This school emphasizes precision.  It reminds me of Form IV of Star Wars.  It's popular among Japanese police.

Ki Society: Heavy focus on developing, increasing, and/or manipulating ki.

Kokiai: Soft style Aikido.  It tries not to harm.

Tenshin: Hard style Aikido.  It hurts!  The focus is defeating your enemy by causing maximum carnage.

There are at least 16 different types of Aikido.

Famous Aikidokas
Steven Seagal: He does Tenshin.  You can see it in his movies.
Sean Connery: He told Jay Leno he is an Aikidoka.  He broke his wrist training with Steven Seagal.

Jerry Seinfeld: He was an Aikidoka for a while and thinks people should study it b4 they get married.

There are several others.

Conclusion
This is a wonderful martial art!  It is physical, mental, and spiritual.  I love it's grace.  But it seems to lack speed.

References
http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/traditional-martial-arts-training/aikido/the-morihei-ueshiba-biography-from-sumo-to-aikido/ 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido
http://fourwindsaikido.50megs.com/custom4.html
http://www.craikido.com/About_Aikido.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido_techniques
http://www.stenudd.com/aikido/ki-exercises.htm
https://www.facebook.com/notes/zagel-king/the-sixteen-styles-of-aikido/531302623558030/
https://theaikidowarrior.com/2013/01/01/celebrity-aikidoka/
Aikido Demo
Aikido vs Jujitsu
Ki Demo
MMA vs Aikido
Anderson Silva and Steven Seagal

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