AIKIDO
Aikido is a modern Japanese Martial Art developed in the last century by Morhei Ueshiba, also known as “O’Sensei” (Great teacher).
Essentially Aikido is made up of throws, joint locks and immobilizations, but from this basic framework there are literally hundreds of techniques to learn, train and practice. Integral to Aikido is the practice of weapons training (Buki waza). Many of the movements and techniques of Aikido were developed by O’Sensei from his understanding of the sword. The body movement through the practice of Aiki-Ken (Sword) and Aiki-Jo (Staff) is the same as Tai-Jutsu (Empty hand techniques) and vice versa. The practice of one strengthens the practice of the other.
Aikido is a very practical Martial Art, a true Budo, and although the techniques can be very powerful, the feeling the never be one of trying to hurt your partner. It is not a competition and there is no room for ego to flourish in the dojo.
The Gentle Way
Sometimes Aikido is referred to as “The gentle way”. Aikido is both gentle and hard, firm yet flexible, strong yet yielding. It is a misconception to see Aikido as “Self defence” only, as it is not only a system of defending yourself, but is also pre-emptive, with the practitioner initiating many of the techniques, depending on the situation.
Aikido is about harmony, blending with your partner / attacker. This can take the form of decisive entering movement or it may allow the attack / energy to flow past you. This principle of “AWASE” is in all techniques and should be alive and apparent throughout every practice.
Although as a Martial Art, Aikido is very effective,it is also much more than that. Aikido touches us deeply and the practice of the physical permeates into our daily life. The principles of blending and being in harmony with your surroundings can be of great benefit in your daily life.
IWAMA
After the second world war, O’Sensei had already moved to a small town north of Tokyo, called Iwama in the Ibaraki prefecture. Here he built his own dojo and small farm and it was here that the founder devoted himself to the development of Aikdo as we see it today. It was when O’Sensei was teaching in Iwama that Morihiro Saito enrolled in the dojo. Saito was to become his longest serving student. He trained under and cared for O’Sensei until the founders death in 1969.
The dojo, it’s up keep and the preservation of O’Sensei’s Aikido was entrusted to Saito and his family, who taught daily in the Iwama dojo. Teaching thousands of students form across the globe. The Uchi-deshi (Live in student) programme that Saito ran allowed students to go to Iwama and immerse themselves in their training. This ranged from a few days to, in some cases, years. Allowing them to live, sleep and train in the famous dojo. Saito Sensei was widely regarded as the foremost authority on weapons practice and was responsible for systemizing O’Sensei’s techniques and making the easy to practice and understand. Sadly in 2001 Saito Sensei passed away, leaving his Son Hitohiro Saito as his successor, carrying on the tradition in Iwama.