Aikido belongs -together with i.e. Judo, Karate and Kendo- to the so-called "Budo Arts" and is firmly rooted in the far-eastern culture and traditions. Budo means "The Way of the Warrior".
Aikido is a Japanese word:
AI stands for: Harmony
KI signifies the Universal Energy
DO is the Way.
Aikido is a defensive, modern Martial Art which is practiced without competitions and is free of performance pressures.
Aikido is based on the principles of accepting an attack and at the same time avoiding it by Controlled Body Movement.
It is not the physical destruction of the enemy, but his neutralisation that is being aimed for.
"To control aggression without causing harm to the attacker, that is the peaceful way". (Ueshiba Morihei, Founder of Aikido, "The Art of Peace")
The aggressive energy of the opponent is redirected and used against himself to bring him under control. Attacks are never blocked, but captured and integrated into ones own movement. It is the Art of utilising the energy of the attack for ones own purposes by means of flowing, circular movements, which are typical of Aikido.
The extraordinary efficiency of Aikido is not only based on the use of leverage techniques, inertia, gravity and centrifugal forces, which enable spectacular effects with little effort. Further factors of great importance are: exact timing, self-adjustment to the opponent, concentration on the One important point or moment, preserving a relaxed centered posture in ones movements and last but not least, free breathing. If carried out to perfection, Aikido movements look extremely aesthetic and almost playfully light.
This Japanese Martial Art can be studied by anybody who is not physically ill, independent of age or ability and can be practiced until old age. It shows the student directly and immediately how his body is being trained. Blockages are eliminated; the spirit becomes vigilant and clear. The traditional Japanese etiquette, which plays a major role in Aikido, sharpens attention and concentration and improves our attitude and behaviour towards others.
"The aim of Aikido is to train body and spirit to be in harmony and create honest and serious people". (Rules specified by the Founder of Aikido Training, approx. 1935).
History:
Aikido was developed by the Japanese Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969). Morihei Ueshiba studied several martial arts and became master in all of them. In 1922 he developed his own system, Aiki-Bujutsu, which he renamed to Aiki-Budo in 1925. In Japan he was a very famous Master and Budo-teacher, changing his Aiki-Budo continuously until he finally changed it during the period from 1941 - 1945 to Aikido.
Champion 2001:
No competitions are being held. Invitation sport only
Federations:
Nat. www.aikikai.de
Int. www.aikido-international.org
Venue:
Mülheim an der Ruhr
RWE-Rhein-Ruhr-Sporthalle
Demonstration without medals
Dates (without engagement)
