What’s Aikido
The way of the harmonious spirit
The word ‘Aikido’ is made up of three Japanese kanji (writing scripts). Ai means ‘to meet’ or ‘to harmonise’. Ki means ‘spirit or force of the Universe’ and Do translates to ‘the way’. Together, they can be interpreted as ‘the way of unifying (with) life energy’ or as ‘the way of the harmonious spirit.’
On the mat, what we learn is so much more than self-defence. There is a reason and a lesson in every movement. The idea with aikido is to unify one’s ki (energy), mind and body so that together, the physical and spiritual aspects of life are harmonised and we see ourselves as connected to others rather than separate.
Ultimately, Aikido bridges physical techniques with mental practices that help develop the mind. It is seen as a way to cultivate ourselves, a path for those seeking to live a life that’s beyond themselves. It is practice that continues outside the mat and hall, it is a way of living and being with yourself and others in the world.
The Founder
This modern Japanese martial art was first developed by Morihei Ueshiba or “O-Sensei” as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. His goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attackers from injury.
Mainly derived from the martial art of Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu, it began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to O-Sensei’s involvement with the Omoto-Kyo religion. O’Sensei’s early students’ documents bear the term aiki-jujutsu.
As a child, Morihei Ueshiba was said to be hypersensitive, sickly and frail. His father, a prosperous farmer and politician of samurai stock, encouraged him to strengthen himself by studying the martial arts. This was the beginning of a lifelong quest for Morihei. In his lifetime, studied the sword, staff, and spear, along with sumo wrestling and various forms of jujutsu. He took everything to extremes, strengthening his head by pounding it on a stone slab a hundred times a day, disappearing into the mountains for extended periods of fasting and other spiritual practices.
Throughout the years, Morihei intensified his physical training and his quest for spiritual enlightenment. In the spring of 1925, at age forty-two, he experienced a life-changing vision which led Morihei to be struck by the realisation that the true destiny of the martial arts was not contention and domination but love.
Aikido since then has become, in O-Sensei’s words, “not a technique to fight with or defeat the enemy. It is the way to reconcile the world and make human beings one family.”
Philosophy
The primary goal in the practice of Aikido is to overcome oneself instead of cultivating violence or aggressiveness - it is afterall, the way of the harmonious spirit. The philosophy of this practice is all about balance and centredness, uncovering alternatives to conflict that we’ve not thought of. It is a model for strength and beauty, a dance between yourself and the world, one where there is collaboration, instead of resistance.
In the words of aikido practitioner and writer, George Leonard - “To understand this philosophy, to begin to live it, is to enter a world completely new, a world in which age-old assumptions are turned upside down. Contexts change, life’s unanticipated blows become gifts, attacks lead to reconciliation, discord is transformed into harmony, anxiety and pain are reborn as vital energy.”
Be it for the mind, body or spirit, Aikido is a practice that trains these parts of ourselves holistically.
Its movements are based on natural patterns and many full body movements; movements that naturally stretch the outer and inner muscles and joints that help keep us flexible. It is a full body and mind practice that brings you into the present moment and enables your body to redefine its limits in a safe manner. Aikido is ideal for practitioners of all ages. The practice has variations and techniques that can be adapted to meet differing physical needs.
Benefits
The ultimate purpose of Aikido training is to harmonise oneself with nature, to integrate the body and mind, manifest one’s inner goodness and rest in a secure, unshakable state of being. It is far more than self-defence, it is self-development.
We encourage new and existing students of this art to come experience a session for yourself and reach out to us if you’d like to learn more.
“The simple yet profound teachings that come from Aikido can be successfully applied to whatever path we walk in life. But all of our good intentions will be wasted unless we are willing to put ourselves up on the mat, to be beginners.”
— George Leonard in The Way of Aikido
Glossary
Ai — Harmony or love
Aiki otoshi — Drop, often against a rear bear hug
Aikido — The path to a harmonious spirit
Arigato — Thank you
Arigato gozaimasu — Thank you very much
Ashi — Leg
Atemi — Preemptive strike, usually delivered by nage to control uke or cause them to react
Bokken — Wooden practice sword
Bu — War or warfare
Budo — The martial way
Bujutsu — The study of fighting techniques
Bushi — Warrior
Bushido — The way (or code) of the warrior
Dan — Black belt
Danketsu — Unity, union
Deshi — Student, disciple
Dō — The way or path
Dō — Trunk, torso
Dōgi — Training uniform (also called keikogi)
Dojo — Training hall
Dori — A grab or hold
Dozo — Please
Eri dori — Collar grabbed from behind
Fudoshin — The ‘immovable mind’, A state of equanimity
Gaeshi — Reverse
Gokyō — Fifth pinning technique similar to ikkyo but with reversed hand, for knife disarming
Hai — Yes
Hakama — Wide, pleated pants worn over the dōgi (usually black or dark blue).
Hanmi handachi — Literally, “half standing, half sitting”. Nage is kneeling and the uke attacks from a standing position.
Hantai — In reverse order
Hara — Lower abdomen. The centre of energy
Henkawaza — A non-standard technique
Hiji dori — Elbow grab
Hiji — Elbow
Iie — No (however, Japanese use a wide range of expressions to avoid having to use a strong no. i.e.: they could say chotto to convey the “difficulty” in answering the request)
Ikkyō — First pinning technique (arm pin)
Irimi — Entering in a straight line
Irimi nage — Entering throw
Jiyūwaza — Freestyle defense practice
Jō tori — Staff taking techniques
Jō — Wooden staff (approx four feet long)
Juji garami — Entwined arms throw
Jutsu — Techniques or practices
Kaeshiwaza — Counter techniques
Kaiten nage — Rotary throw
Kamae — Stance, state of readiness
Kata dori — Shoulder grab
Kata — Prearranged attack/defense exercise
Kata — Shoulder
Kata dori — Shoulder grab or hold
Katana — The Japanese sword
Katate dori — One-handed grasp on one wrist
Keiko — Practice or training
Keikogi — Practice uniform
Ki — Spirit or energy
Kiai — Short shout uttered when performing an attack
Kihonwaza — The basic technical curriculum of Aikido
Kōhai — Junior student, one who began Aikido after you
Kokyū — Breathing, breath power
Kokyū ho — Practice done in seiza, practice for coordinating breath, ki and movement
Kokyū nage — Breath throw
Kombanwa — Good evening
Kosa dori — Cross hand grab
Koshi — Lower back
Koshi nage — Hip throw
Kote — Forearm
Kote gaeshi — “Turning of the forearm” throw
Kubi — Neck
Kubijime — Choke hold
Kuchi — Mouth
Kumi jo — Two person jo practice
Kumitachi — Two person sword practice
Kyū — A preliminary rank or degree (pre-black belt)
Maai — The distance between uke and nage. It literally means “Harmony of space”
Mae geri — Front kick
Mae ukemi — Forward fall or roll
Mawashi geri — Roundhouse kick
Mawashi — Round, rotation
Me — Eyes
Men — Face or head
Men tsuki — Fist strike or thrust to the face
Misogi — Rite of purification, as practiced in Shintō
Morote dori — Two-handed grasp on one wrist
Mune — Chest and stomach region
Mune dori — Chest grab or hold
Mune tsuki — Straight punch to the stomach or chest
Mushin — “No mind.” The state where the mind is alert but empty of thoughts
Musubi — Connection. The physical, mental, and spiritual connection between nage and uke
Nage — A throw or the person who performs the throw
Nikyō — Second pinning technique (inward wrist twist)
O’Sensei — “Great Teacher.” An honorific title reserved for Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of Aikido
Obi — Belt or sash tied over dōgi
Ohayo gozaimasu — Good morning
Omote — To the front of uke
Onegai shimasu (final u is silent) — Please. Uttered at the beginning of the class, it means “please teach me;” uttered to a training partner, it means “please train with me”.
Osae — Pinning someone down
Oyasumi nasai — Good night
Randori — Practice against multiple opponents
Rei — Bow or salutation
Reigi — Etiquette
Ryōkata dori — Both shoulders grasped
Ryōte dori — Two-hands grasp, both wrists grasped
Samurai — The warrior class of feudal Japan
Sankyō — Third pinning technique (vertical wrist twist)
Sayonara — Goodbye
Seika-tanden — Lower abdomen, centre of body mass, and source of physical power and breath
Seiza — Formal kneeling position
Sempai — Senior student, one who started before you
Sensei — Teacher
Shihan — Master instructor; usually the head of a lineage or school of affiliated dojos
Shihō nage — A throw to four sides or directions
Shikkō — Movement on the knees from kneeling position
Shime — A squeeze or choke
Shin — Mind or heart
Shōmen — The front of the dojo or head
Shōmen uchi — Vertical strike to the forehead
Sode — Sleeve
Sode dori — Sleeve grab
Soto — Outside
Suburi — Individual practice of a single movement of the ken or jo
Sumi otoshi — Corner drop
Suwari Waza — “Seated technique.” Both nage and uke are kneeling
Tachi dori — Sword taking techniques
Tai no henko — Basic blending practice
Taijutsu — “Physical arts;” empty-handed training
Takemusu Aiki — The literal meaning of it is “Aiki which gives birth to martial techniques.” O’Sensei explained that this was the highest level of Aikido where one is capable of spontaneously executing perfect techniques
Tantō — Dagger or knife made from wood
Tantō dori — Knife taking techniques
Te — Hand
Tegatana — Hand-sword
Tekubi — Wrist
Tenchi nage — “Heaven-Earth” throw. ten means “heaven” and chi means “earth”
Tenkan — A pivot or turn
Tsuki — A straight thrust or punch
Uchi — A strike
Ude garami — Arm entwined lock
Uke — Person receiving a technique. It generally refers to the person who attacks and is thrown
Ukemi — Fall, roll, or submission. Ukemi is, literally, the receptive or receiving body.
Ura — To the rear of uke
Ushiro — From behind
Ushiro ukemi — Backward fall, roll, or submission
Yoko geri — Side kick
Yokomen — Side of head
Yokomen uchi — Diagonal strike to the temple, side of the face, or side of the neck
Yonkyō — Fourth pinning technique (wrist pin using pressure on the nerve)
Yūdansha — Black belt holder(s)
Zanshin — Continuity of concentration, alertness, remaining prepared for the next attack