AIKIDO OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT

 

 

 

Aikido, a traditional martial art, was developed in the early part of the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), now known as O-Sensei (Great Teacher).

A disciplined student of martial arts principle and philosophy, O-Sensei created Aikido out of his exhaustive study of armed and unarmed methods of defense.  Unlike other martial arts, emphasis in Aikido is not directed towards street fighting or the advancement of students through competitive tournaments.  Aikido techniques seek to restore harmony through neutralization and control rather than in the violent defeat of  an attacker.  The energy of the attack is redirected through the integrated movement of the body and mind.

Aikido’s style employs strategy and circular movement in the application of various throwing, joint locking, striking, and pinning techniques that require minimal strength to perform.  Training stresses proper form and posture, cooperation, coordination of the body’s movement with a calm state of mind, and awareness of others.  Aside from its utility as a method of self-defense, Aikido also stresses the perfection of character and the development of positive human qualities such as compassion, courage, endurance, and inner strength.  In this spirit, training is undertaken to improve the individual, as well as the greater society.

“Budo, the martial way, is not felling the opponent with your force, nor is it a tool to lead the world into destruction with arms.  True Budo is to accept the spirit of the universe, keep the peace of the world, produce, protect, and cultivate all things in nature.”

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969)

The Meaning of Ai-ki-do

The word Aikido in Japanese is comprised of three characters, or kanji. 

The first is “Ai”, which means to meet, to come together, to harmonize.

The second is “Ki”, meaning spirit or energy (the spirit of the universe).

The third is “Do”, which means the path, of the way.

Together, Aikido means “The way of harmonizing with the spirit of the universe.”

ABOUT AIKIDO