Aikido is not a sport, and is not meant to be used in a competitive manner. Contests are forbidden because in any match without rules to protect competitors, serious physical injury becomes possible. Aikido, by definition, is an art that is bound only by laws of nature.
Aikido teaches that effective self-defense requires intelligent action and precise movement-force should only be used appropriate to developing circumstances. Therefore, although the techniques of Aikido can be devastatingly powerful, overall emphasis is on peaceful resolution of attack, and control of an opponent rather than destruction. This results in an extraordinarily wide range of responses available to meet aggression, based upon the philosophical, the psychological, and the technical aspect of Aikido, making it an ideal method of self-defense.
Formal practice of Aikido takes place in a dojo, where persons of all ages, wearing traditional practice clothing, train together in a harmonious atmosphere.
The beginning student is carefully led, step by step, through simple falling exercises, to more complicated ukemi (the art of falling). At the same time, students are introduced to simple and then progressively more complex techniques to neutralize attack. All classes are carefully supervised, making the Aikido dojo a positive, serious place to learn Aikido principles and self-defense.Photo: Eve Silver