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Aikido is a
‘modern’ Japanese martial art developed during the early 20th Century
by O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, from his extensive experience
in the ancient Samurai arts of Ju-Jutsu, swordsmanship and wooden staff.
The name Aikido is composed of three
Japanese words: ai, meaning harmony: ki, spirit or energy: and do,
the path, the system, or the way. Aikido
is the way of the spirit of harmony.
Martial arts are studied for self-defense and self-improvement,
but Aikido is different from other martial arts in that the practitioner
seeks to achieve self-defence without injury to the attackers. The
basic movements of Aikido are circular in nature; most attacks are
linear. The Aikidoka harmonizes with, rather than confronts, an aggressive
line and converts it into a circular motion that renders attackers
helpless.
Various wristlocks, arm pins, or unbalancing throws
are employed to neutralize aggressors without serious injury, and have
therefore been adopted into the training regime of many police forces
throughout the world. |
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