Aikido Westchester: Aikido vs other martial arts (e.g. Karate) in Westchester County NY
Culture/History of Martial Arts -- Aikido vs. Other Martial Arts Westchester
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 Ju Jitsu so
samurai, caught without their weapons, could defend themselves. During the 20th century, Japanese
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 often
includes Hapkido. The founder of Hapkido studied the ancient form of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu
alongside the founder of Aikido. Aikido and Hapkido are similar.
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Technique -- Aikido vs. Other Martial Arts Westchester
From a technical perspective, all martial arts contain the same basic elements in varying
degrees: striking, throwing, joint locks and pins, including pressure points. Ideally, they are
only applied with the force needed to change the mind of the attacker from violence to
peacefulness, and nothing more. Certain martial arts emphasize a particular approach over another.
For example, Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi Chuan all emphasize striking. Judo, many
forms of Jujitsu and Aikido are more involved with throwing, joint locks, pins and grappling in
general. In Aikido, the “grappling” is not quite so “up close and personal.” Aikido also does not
employ ground work in the traditional sense.
Movement -- Aikido vs. Other Martial Arts Westchester
In different martial arts, technique may also tend towards circular or linear. Movements in
Aikido tend to be circular in nature, taking an opponent’s balance or leading them based upon their
intent. Karate for example is a martial art whose emphasis is more linear, or movements being
forward, backward and side to side. Other martial arts may include both circular and direct
movements in varying degrees, and as in Aikido employ taking balance and using the force of the
attacker against them.
Day to Day Training Methods -- Aikido vs. Other Martial Arts Westchester
Different training methods in martial arts include basic movements, katas or forms, practical
application, and competition. The martial arts emphasizing strikes (Karate, Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan
& Tae Kwon Do) largely employ katas or individual forms, while practical application is used
less frequently. Competition is used widely in these martial arts. Aikido is unique in that empty
handed technique is completely devoid of competition and individual forms, focusing solely on
application. Aikido is a traditional martial art, focusing on survival over the ego gratification
of a trophy. The rules in competition tend to be unrealistic, so while other martial arts use
competition, Aikido uses multiple attacks and increasing levels of resistance.
Weapons -- Aikido vs. Other Martial Arts Westchester
Except Judo and some forms of Jujitsu, most empty handed martial arts train with various weapons
as an extension of unarmed technique. Focus and attention is heightened in the face of danger, and
one learns to relax under pressure. In Aikido, sword and staff training teach extension of energy,
and learning defense against weapons is excellent training to learn how to evade the line of an
attack. Weapons are used in many martial arts (Aikido, Karate, etc.) to elevate the intensity of
training.
Spirit of Training -- Aikido vs. Other Martial Arts Westchester
Many martial arts (Karate...) begin training the student to be able to defend themselves with
destructive technique. Later, when the student is confident in their ability to survive, they
emphasize simply controlling the attacker to minimize harm to all. The goal is not to win the
fight, but to change the spirit of the attacker to become more peaceful. Traditional Tai Chi Chuan
and Aikido reverse the order by emphasizing control of an attacker from the outset, whereas the
ability to use lethal force is understood later. Martial arts use harsh technique as an expedient
to improve self confidence, a vital ingredient in learning self defense. Aikido and traditional Tai
Chi Chuan bypass the expedient by reversing the order of emphasis in instruction.
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