Aikido Emphasis Grappling, throws and softness Aikido Beliefs The Aikido way is one of harmony or blending and so little physical strength is required.
Aikido Principles The principle of harmony means that, as opposed to moving into the attacker’s force, you move in relation to the approach, possibly around it or even to reroute it around you.
The Aikido student would then use either entering or turning techniques to blend with his attacker and finish the move with a throw or joint lock technique.
Aikido Stance A great stance and superb balance is vital in Aikido.
Aikido Techniques Defence Aikido self-defence techniques primarily include throws and pins.
Please note thou the list may seem complex to the untrained but my intentions are to nevertheless try to present a general idea of Aikido techniques.
Hip throw: aikido’s unique version of a hip throw.
Counter-Attack Aikido techniques can quite easily cause significant injury to an attacker.
Striking techniques such as blows to the body, rather than self-defensive rotating of joints, strangleholds, grabbing techniques and throws is a controversial topic in Aikido.
A number of Aikido masters argue that Aikido’s peaceful intention is lost as soon as strikes are used.
Others still, who have also worked hard to maintain the values of Aikido, understand that a seasoned and determined opponent may eventual beat Aikido techniques if there are no use of striking techniques.
Aikido Weapons Weapons training in aikido traditionally range from the short staff, wooden sword and knife.
Aikido Training You can find both mental and physical training in Aikido that include controlled breathing, meditation, flexibility and workouts that maintain endurance.
As mentioned earlier there is significantly less focus on strength training because pushing and extending movements are used considerably more in Aikido techniques than pulling or contracting routines.
The mental part of Aikido training allows the student the opportunity to relax his mind and body in preparation of combat in different environments.
A substantial percentage of any aikido training includes throws.
Aikido Katas & Forms Kata training is not utilized as the main training method, instead kata training exists side-by-side with free-style training.
Aikido Grading Aikido students generally advance through a number of up to seven degrees each acquired through a number of up to five “Grades”.
Aikido Criticism A common criticism of Aikido is that the freestyle training seems staged.
Resisting Aikido throws, which an untrained opponent would do, rather than moving along with it could potentially cause serious muscle or bone damage.
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Originally published on EzineArticles, by Caesar Yafai. Image via Pixabay.

