International Okinawan Shorin - Ryu
Seibukan Karate Do, UAE

Aikido

'ai' harmony

'ki' spirit/power

'do' way/path

Aikido is very different from the better known Japanese martial arts like Karate, Jiu-Jutsu, etc. It is a ‘soft’ martial art. The word soft can often be misleading. All it means is that it does not use the strength and power that a Karate or Kobudo technique requires for execution. Instead, Aikido relies on the power of the aggressor, and gently uses that force against him to defeat him.

That makes it ideal for anyone and everyone, especially women and children, to be able to learn and apply the principles and concepts of Aikido. These simple yet effective techniques can be utilised effectively against larger adversaries, and without relying on the use of any real power or strength.

It is the art of non-resistance. Aikido stresses on being in harmony with the enemy. That means there is no opposition to the attacker’s movement. Instead, the Aikido student goes along with the opponent, largely in a circular motion, and executes a lock, break or throw that disarms or immobilizes them.

The founder of Aikido, the late Morihei Ueshiba Sensei, always emphasized that the Aikido student is like the eye of a storm: remaining calm within, while there is turmoil all around.

Aikido has been made popular on screen by Hollywood actor Steven Seagal in his movies.