Aikido is a relatively new self-defense art, founded in Japan by Professor Morihei Uyeshiba. As a youth Uyeshiba Sensei, or O'Sensei (Great Teacher) as he was called, applied himself to may arduous years of training in "budo," or the Japanese martial arts. He mastered Jiu-Jitsu, the use of the spear, the staff and enjoyed a reputation as unbeatable with the sword. O-Sensei also delved deeply into religion, studying Zen Buddism and the Shinto religion. Although he became very strong and won many matches, he was troubled with the idea that winning at someone else's expense was not really winning. He came to realize that true self defense is not winning over others,...but winning over the discord within yourself. Though he was an acknowledged master, he began to practice movements, exploring them deeply, searching mentally, and sitting for long hours in meditation. As a result, Aikido was born as a way to divert harm to one's self while not inflicting permanent injury on an aggressor. As Aikido developed, it became clear that it was not only an effective means of self-defense, but truly a way to understand earthly life through the study of the energy flow of the universe.
The word "Aikido" in Japanese is made up of three characters, or kanji. The first and most important is "AI" which means "to meet, to come together, to harmonize." The second kanji is "KI, " which means "energy, spirit, mind." In the larger contest, "KI" means "the spirit of the Universe," and not just the spirit of mere human beings. The third and last character is "DO," which means "the way," as in Ken-do, or Ju-do, to signify that the study of Aikido does not involve merely self-defense techniques, but includes positive character-building ideals which a person can incorporate into his life. These three Japanese kanji, "AI_KI_DO," therefore, mean, "THE WAY OF HARMONIZING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE UNIVERSE."
The most unusual aspect of Aikido is that although it is primarily a self-defense art, it takes as the basis of its philosophy the idea of being in HARMONY with your opponent rather than being in CONFLICT with him. The idea of Aikido is not to think of defeating your enemy, but rather, to be in harmony with him spiritually and physically. This is why Aikido is sometimes called the "Art of Non-Resistance," or the "Non-Fighting Martial Art."
Aikido is not merely an art of self-defense, however-into its techniques are woven elements of philosophy, psychology, and dynamics. As one learns the various arts, he will at the same time train his mind, improve his health and develop self-confidence. Through the physical practice of the self-defense tecniques, the student of Aikido comes to appreciate and understand the mental or spiritual aspect of Aikido. During practice sessions, partners work out in harmony with each other, learning when and how to yield, how to lead and guide another person's movements-how to down an opponent through non-resistive techniques.
The movements of Aikido emphasize a flowing flexibility and the maintaining of a stable balance. The aim of the Aikidoist is to be in complete control of his mind and body, to maintain a calm, alert posture. The continuous and flexible motion which originates at the waist is like the performing of a dance, a graceful spherical motion. Much of the beauty of the Aikido movements derives from the coordinated motion of the entire body, with each movement of a part of the body contributing to the integrated sequence of movements.