"Let us have a universal mind that loves and protects all creation and helps all things grow and develop. To unify mind and body and become One with the universe is the ultimate purpose of our study. Koichi Tohei Sensei |
  Aikido is many things to many people. For some, it is a form of self-defense. For others it is a form of self-development. Others view it as a way of achieving harmony with the universe. Ideally, it can be all things to all who practice it. At its best, Aikido is simultaneously a means of spiritual and character development, a martial way, and a healthful exercise. Aikido emphasizes control of oneself, both physically and mentally in order to maintain a calm, relaxed and confident spirit in the face of threat. This calmness of spirit allows one to perform to one's ability without worrying about "winning" or "losing". The basic principles of Aikido are meant to have many applications outside of self-defense. These principles have less to do with physical force than with internal self control. The study of Aikido prepares one to deal more effectively with conflict in many settings - school, the workplace, and the broader society. Many practitioners of Aikido report that they have had such positive experiences with the application of Aikido to their daily lives. Aikido training emphasizes the development of rhythm, timing and mind-body coordination, as well as learning the actual techniques of Aikido. There is typically no competition in Aikido: we do not perform in tournaments or seek to win trophies. A typical class will involve the performance of Aikido Ki Development exercises as a group, the observation of Aikido techniques as demonstrated by the instructor(s), and the practice of techniques, usually done in pairs under the supervision of the instructor(s). The practice of these techniques often leads to the performance of taigi and randori. Taigi are sets of techniques performed in sequence in order to demonstrate knowledge of the spiritual as well as technical aspects of the art. Randori is "freestyle" Aikido used to develop one's ability to apply the techniques in an unplanned fashion to self-defense in response to one or more attackers. |
