Aikido

Aikido is many different things to many different people. Some say it can be used for self-defence. Others say it is a spiritual path. Yet others see as a way to co-ordinate mind and body in order to achieve maximum efficiency in all you do. However you see it, to achieve either of these goals, a great deal of practice and patience is required.

I have been practicing Aikido since 1994. I am not an athletic person, and I don't particularly like sports. However Aikido is not a sport. It is not about proving yourself better than your opponent. It is not about scoring points. It's about improving yourself. Not just your physical self, but your whole attitude towards yourself, other people, and the world in general.

The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, said the following about the practice:

Aikido cannot be explained with words.
One must practice and attain enlightenment of mind and body.
Aikido training is not a sport nor asceticism;
it is an act of faith based on the desire
to achieve total awakening.

So how can I understand Aikido? I hear you ask! Well, fortunately, much has been written about it. Some internet sources are on the left.

One of the best sources to try for almost any question you could think to ask, is the Aikido Faq. Another interesting Aikido source is the Shinshin Toitsu Aikido Soshinkan Dojo in Tsukuba,Japan. The term "Shinshin toitsu" means 'with body and mind co-ordinated' This homepage has photos and the answers to all kinds of questions about Aikido. Also, recently started is the Official 'ki no Kenkyukai site. This will later move to a new site, but at present it is part of the Ki Society USA homepage. There are Ki Society branches all over the world. The Unofficial Ki Society links will take you to many interesting sources of information about Shinshin Toitsu Aikido from all over the world.

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Some Principles of the Ki Society (By Tohei Koichi Sensei)

Aikido

New Reflections

Some Principles of the Ki Society
(By Tohei Koichi Sensei)