What is Aikido?
Aikido (合気道) is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (pictured under the navigation) as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit". Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitio0ers could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the aikidōka (aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and tur
margning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks.Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.
Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Ueshiba's early students' documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu. Many of Ueshiba's senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker.
* All information is taken from the free web based encyclopedia http://www.wikipedia.org
Upcoming Courses
| Date | Location | Instructor |
| 27 Mar 2010 | Sandhill Centre, Grindon Lane, Sunderland | KAA |
| 27 June 2010 | Sandhill Centre, Grindon Lane, Sunderland | Sensei John Gaynor |
| 18 Sept 2010 | Sandhill Centre, Grindon Lane, Sunderland | Guest |
| 18 Dec 2010 | Sandhill Centre, Grindon Lane, Sunderland | KAA |
| Additional Courses | ||
| 1st Sunday of the Month | Wyken Com Ctr, Westmorland Road, Coventry, CV2 5BP | Sensei Pat Stratford |
| 20 Feb 2010 | Aikido Union England - 2 Washington Drive, Stapleford,Notts. Course Fee: £15 A-U-E Members / £20 Non-Members |
Sensei john Gaynor |