Aikido an Introduction

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969)

Aikido is a Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba, who was born on December 14 1883. He is also known as O' Sensei (Great Teacher). It was said that he was weak in health when he was young and was encourage to take up sumo. To cut the story short as he grew older he took up and studied more martial arts before he developed Aikido.

From my understanding there are 2 branches of Aikido, Aikikai and Yoshinkan. In Malaysia you might notice some Aikido called Seishinkan or Shudokan, Seishinkan is basically Aikikai style and Shudokan is Yoshinkan.

The difference between the 2 types of Aikido is that Aikikai style follows the teaching of O' Sensei and Yoshinkan style is a branching of one of O' Sensei's student Gozo Shioda. From my observation Yoshinkan Aikido is more of the hard style compare to Aikikai Aikido, it was also said that O' Sensei first started with the hard style but as he got older he changed it to a softer style realizing it would suit his age and others. I'm not sure how far is this true so do let me know if you know. It is also said that there isn't too much of a major difference in the 2 branching of Aikido.

Gozo Shioda Soke (1915-1994)

I may not have practised Aikido for a very long time but from my reading/video watching I realize there is 2 side of Aikido. There is a philosophical side and a technical side, because O' Sensei was a very religious man and often had a lot to say bout the universe and how we unite with it. The technical part however emphasizes on the footwork, handwork and the body posture of a human. From my practice and from what new practitioners words they would say that Aikido is different from their previous martial art because in Aikido we take down our opponent by taking them off-balance and also by using the opponents energy.

Some would say that it is a very gentle art and is suitable for women or females as it does not require one to have strong arms or move at lighting speed. The theory of taking down an opponent by using their strength is pretty much like what we hear in Tai Chi or some chinese Kung Fu. Many would get scared or assume Aikido is rough and painful from all the throwing and twisting, this is not true though. If you do know how to do your ukemi (break fall) right, it would really not hurt even a bit.

Aikikai Aikido

Something in English (Aikikai Aikido)

my favorite video from Gozo (Yoshinkan Aikido)

Yoshinkan Aikido