Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art (along with Karate & Judo) that
teaches profound principles for self defense, fitness - health & personal growth. While
the principles of all martial arts teach self defense, the emphasis in martial arts
training is not fighting. Aikido is a way of life, not a form of violence. Aikido teaches
compassion in the face of brutality and harmony in the midst of conflict resulting in
tremendous power and efficacy. Aikido principles manifest in other martial arts & all
aspects of one's life. Aikido is unique among martial arts for emphasizing non-harm to an
attacker early in the training as well as dealing with multiple attacks.
Aikido
Westchester NY is a member of the Takemusu Aikido Association, a
U.S. based martial arts organization dedicated to continuing the lineage of Morihiro
Saito, one of the Aikido founder's most advanced students. The Takemusu Aikido
Association is affiliated with the Aikikai in Tokyo, following directly in the lineage
of the Aikido founder.
Culture/History of Martial Arts -- Aikido vs.... Other
Martial Arts (e.g. Karate) Westchester NY
For a brief history of Asian martial arts, Chinese martial
arts are the oldest. For example Shaolin Kung Fu began in the
year 495 when Bodhidharma came from India and decided his monks
needed some form of exercise. Tai Chi Chuan, Bagua and Hsing Yi
are newer and are traditionally referred to as internal martial
arts. Japanese empty handed martial arts originated from
Jujitsu so samurai, caught without their weapons, could defend
themselves. During the 20th century, Japan modernized their
martial arts into Judo, Aikido and Karate. Judo and Aikido were
derived from the ancient Jujitsu, whereas Karate was imported
through the Okinawan islands from Shaolin Kung Fu in China.
Modern Korean martial arts include Tae Kwon do, developed in
part from Karate and...
Is it Karate, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Aikido or Mixed Martial Arts?
Some instructors argue that their style is the most effective
approach to self defense. We do not begrudge them their
efforts. In fact we support each and every one. For example,
did you ever try to purchase a car with the intent of buying
the worst product at the highest price? Most would answer no to
this question. If you sought the worst self defense method and
began training, exactly how proficient would you expect to be
in your martial arts? Conversely, if you think you are training
in the best martial art, you would become confident in your
abilities very quickly. Confidence is absolutely critical to
the ability to defend oneself, and so promoting an art you
teach, say Karate, as the best is not actually self
serving, but serving those who train in your martial art. It
will be the most effective martial art for them; each and every
one of them....
One may look to martial arts training to improve one's general
health or even to address specific concerns in addition to medical
intervention. All martial arts (even Karate) do offer health
benefits first in that martial arts training is a form of exercise,
and exercise is beneficial to the body. But martial arts also focus
on exercise in a relaxed state and moderating the energy flows in
the body. Even senior citizens can practice Aikido, for example, to
improve their general health.
In particular, Aikido training tends to be aerobic in nature,
although the exercise flow can be intermittent at times. Practice
tends to begin...
