Aikido Aikido is Budo, also called ‘The Harmony Way’ and it represents a modern synthesis of Japanese martial arts, cumulating methods and techniques based on ancient philosophical principles. It was founded by the Japanese master Morihei Ueshiba or O-Sensei (the Great Teacher) as he is called by the Aikido practitioners.
It is a self-defense method, especially a non-violent one, replacing the physical confrontation with the understanding, discouraging the aggressor and making him understand the fight is useless and hurting an opponent is hurting yourself. Aikido means controlling the aggression without causing any injury. O-Sensei, the founding father of Aikido, did not accept the idea of rivalry and artificial victory, as the only victory is the one gained over yourself. He also believed in the triumph of good over evil and did not accept the use of violence for solving conflicts. Aikido is not just another martial art but it is also a universal path of spiritual and philosophical principles, a representation of the Japanese culture and tradition whose ideal is to achieve harmony and peace. We are natively endowed with the capacity of finding surviving methods which can lead to attitudes of selfishness, aggressiveness, lack of respect for our fellows, violence when trying to obtain something or solve a conflict. Aikido creates another approach of reality through its attempt to solve any spiritual or physic conflict in a non-destructive manner. Being perceived like this, Aikido becomes an exercise of self-discipline, where the fighting techniques serve as a concrete way of personal investigation and improvement, a continuous way of self exceeding and a better understanding of our character, giving us the chance to break free of our human nature. From a technical point of view, Aikido is formed of circular movements very well elaborated which do not require special physical force , that is why it is perfect for both girls and boys, young and old people, sportive or less sportive people. The Aikido movements and techniques are natural, imitating the elements of nature both by their calm and their succession. They are efficient, rational and gentle, having a firm, stable and well-balanced centre. It appeared in its current form in 1925 under the name of Aiki-Budo, but later in 1942 Ueshiba master used for the first time the name of aikido when he was referring to his art. Many of O-Sensei’s students opened their own Dojo (practice rooms) and continued to spread and extend Aikido all over the world, today being practiced by millions of people in tens of countries. Practicing according to their own vision and personality, these people brought their contribution to the development of Aikido, creating new schools and consequently new aikido styles. ( Iwama School, Yoshinkan Aikido, Ki-Aikido School, Tomiki School, Tadasi Abe School) The classic style practiced by the founding father and sent further to his followers is aikido and it has the general neighborhood at Aikikai Hombu Dojo, being run by Moriteru Ueshiba, the founder’s grandson, who has the quality of Doshu (the leader of the school) It is the most spread Aikido style and it is practiced as weel by the Romanian Foundation of Aikido Aikikai (www.aikikai.ro), organization which is officially recognized by Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Its main purpose is to promote, to support and to develop the practice and the study of the Aikikai spirit in Romania through Aikido, to enable the direct contacts between the Romanian aikido practitioners and the foreign ones.The search of the universal harmony is probably an unattainable goal, but before being preoccupied by the peace and harmony of the world we should make a first step towards the harmony with ourselves and Aikido is such a spiritual way and a lifestyle.
Submenu | 
