Introduction to Aikido
The word Aikido was formed using three kanji (Japanese Characters),
合 - ai - joining, unifying, harmonizing
気 - ki - spirit, life energy
道 - dō - way, path
However all three together usually translates Aikido into 'The Way of Unifying with Life energy' or 'The Way of the Harmonious Spirit'. Aikido is a relatively mordern Martial Art that is carried out by using the forces and motion of the attacker and redirecting them, instead of opposing them. Joint locks are common within the range of techniques, using the opponenets momentum to defeat them. Due to these methods, it requires very little physical strength or energy meaning that all kinds of people can participate in learning this style. So what is Aikido? Aikido can be described as a non-resistance Martial Art which is defensive in nature. It teaches its practitioners how to react to any kind of attack, usually by throwing or subduing the attacker through the application of pressure to vital bodily joints or points.