Aikido-Using Your Attacker's Aggression against Him - Art - Antiques

Aikido is a development of Jiu jitsu, in particular, the Diato-ryu Aiki-jujitsu school. It bears many similarities to Jiu jitsu in style, but it diverges from it philosophically. The core difference is that aikido seeks conflict resolution where neither the attacker nor the attacked are harmed in any real way.

Like Jiu jitsu and many of its other offshoots, Aikido uses joint locks and throwing techniques to subdue an opponent. Unlike the other styles, Aikido strives to achieve this without harming the attacker. This philosophy was introduced when its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, became involved in the moto-ky religion, a neo-Shinto practice with the goal of universal peace.

The word, Aikido, means "the way of joining spirit." The essential style is of evasion and observing the opponent, initially. Once you have determined their essential intent and flow of motions, you can blend your own actions with theirs, and then use the force of their attacks against them, by tripping, throwing, pinning or using joint locks to put them in a helpless or disadvantageous position. This requires minimal effort on the part of the attacked.

Even though it's typically a weaponless form of combat, much of aikido's technical form was influenced by swordsmanship, with elements of spear and short staff combat. In fact, the latter two weapons are often included in Aikido training.

There are many elements of Aikido that can be useful to self defense. Many modern self defense styles, such as CPI (Crisis Prevention and Intervention), implement some of its techniques. This is particularly useful from a legal standpoint. Some professions, such as caretakers for the mentally unstable, require such non-aggressive forms of self defense.

While the technical aspects of Aikido don't require much athletic prowess, proficiency requires many hours of practice. Additionally, while you may temporarily subdue an attacker, you might be left vulnerable to another attacker, and once released, your subdued attacker may make another assault. In real world combat, it's best to take them down in such a way that they stay there.

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