postheadericon Aikido - A Martial Art Or A Form Of Dance?




by Carol Bell


Aikido is one of the oldest types of martial arts. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido came about through the studies of many different types of traditional martial arts. In fact, is often perceived as a type of exercise or a dance because of some of its forms. It is in addition seen by some quarters as some type of martial mesmerism.

Aikido is sometimes confused with Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, it is distinctive in its essence. Still, its originator attributed his foundation of aikido to the method, his master Sokaku Takeda, grandmaster of Daito Ryu, opened his eyes to the nature of Budo.

Despite its many perceived forms, aikido is a Budo or martial arts. It is the refinement of the techniques that are being taught in traditional martial arts and is combined using a attitude that calls on for the power of the spirit. In its essence, it is a amalgamation of the body and the mind.

Its philosophy is essentially derived from the belief that deceptions and trickery or brute force should not make us defeat our opponents. Instead, concentration that involves the spirit should be sufficient to strengthen us.

Aikido is in addition used as a means to discover our right paths so that we are able to develop our personality. It also teaches its practitioners to unify their body in addition to their mind so that they will become in harmony with the "universe" and with nature. Their power and their force should come from this balance and harmony.

The word "universe" in aikido is not some incomprehensible theory that one can't achieve. It is in reality quite concrete and is even within the grasp of the person. In aikido, "universe" could be achieved throughout actual experiences and everyday life.

Aikido's movements and strategies are circular. When a circle is created in aikido, the person is supposed to be protected from a collision from an opposing force. A compact center, however, is needed to create this circle. An instance of a firm circle is a spinning top that rotates at fast pace. With no a firm center, the pace of movement will merely produce imbalance. The stillness of the spinning top while in speeding motion is what is referred to as sumikiri in Aikido language. This is achieved merely by what Aikido founder calls "total clarity of mind and body." However, this is not so easily achieved. It takes a long time of study and practice in order to find this intense focus and centeredness.

Training is vital in aikido as well as focus since while it may be easy to generate a focused being whilst inside a martial arts gym, the same can't be said of situations and circumstances outside. It might not be simple to keep one's composure when faced with extraordinary circumstances. This is actually one of the goals of Aikido training. It is designed to tutor its practitioners to uphold their composure plus their centeredness even in panic conditions such as peril and calamities.

One system taught in aikido is to breathe using what is known as the seika tanden point. This is the part of the body that can be discovered two inches below the navel. Controlled deep breathing is one key to being one with the world plus to center oneself with nature. When a person learns to accomplish this, he or she will undergo extraordinary peace that they can use in the practice of aikido.




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