Different forms of martial arts are effective in different ways. Some are beneficial in terms of developing body core and strength, while others are in fighting. Still, there are other forms that focus on self-defense like judo, Aikido, etc. If you are eyeing Aikido and want to know under which umbrella it falls, stick with us till the end, as the topic of our discussion today is all about Aikido, and what is Aikido good for?
So, let’s have a deep insight into Aikido and break down the definition of Aikido, its philosophy, and what is Aikido good for!
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a comprehensive Japanese martial art introduced by Morihei Ueshiba, also known as THE GREAT TEACHER. Aikido is a path of self-control and self-development. It is a mishmash of strong physical and intense spiritual training to develop the positive character of a warrior in every individual. It involves throws from both Jiu-jitsu and Kenjutsu.
The word Aikido means:
AI = connection
KI = energy/spirit
DO = way of life
Although Aikido is not a static art completely, it involves using the principles and dynamics of motion to develop strength. It focuses on strengthening yourself instead of hitting and throwing the opponent away. Steven Seagal is a well-known practitioner of Aikido.
Learning a soft form of martial arts is better than learning none. So, what are you waiting for? Find a training center near your residence, and get training in Aikido.
Techniques used in Aikido:
There is involvement and usage of different techniques and throws in Aikido; some common ones are:
- Chest Grabs
- Shoulder grabs
- Wrist Lock
- Punches
- Rolls and pins
- Knife hand strikes
How is Aikido different from other forms of Martial Arts?
There are various aspects that make Aikido different and stand out from other forms of martial arts. It is more than simple martial arts. Aikido focuses on not only fighting, but also moral foundation, techniques, and discipline. It helps you understand the concept and principle behind different types of attacks so that you can counteract them in your defense strongly. Aikido is the training of both body and mind simultaneously. It also helps to deal with aggressive reactions indirectly in a more calm way. Saying it is a soft form of martial art won’t be wrong.
Why learn Aikido – The goods of Aikido to consider!
This is the part of your interest, as it explains the benefits of Aikido and all how it can add to your body, both mentally and physically.
Self-defense
When it comes to discussing what is Aikido good for, the first thing that comes to mind is nothing else than aikido self defense. Yes, the practitioners of Aikido become trained more in self-defense and not fighting. Their training is all related to defending themselves in different situations. They are not taught to fight. Therefore, whenever stuck in such a situation, they never aim to hurt the opponent.
Aikido is not less than a game-changer in the true sense. It tells you how to prevent yourself from hurting whenever the opponent attacks you. It helps the fighters learn to fall gracefully without getting injured and fracturing any body part. Only an aikido practitioner knows how to go forward and backward rolls on knees so that they land on the ground safely.
Aikido practitioner’s training focuses on teaching how to tackle a jab using the principle over technique instead of teaching them how to throw a jab. And that is where the game turns totally. Learning Aikido makes you learn all the tactics of standing upright after falling down, but if you haven’t learned, then a single throw can lead you to end the game.
Body Workout and Fitness
One of the most immediate benefits of Aikido is its workout. In the training of Aikido, there is the involvement of the whole body. It leads to the fitness of the entire body. Within a few months, the participants see a tremendous increase in their core strength, stamina, and weight loss. Moreover, it also releases stress and anxiety. A few exercises are:
- The warm-up focuses on strengthening the core.
- There is a lot of body stretching involved in its moves, leading to more flexibility and agility.
- Breathing exercises are more concerned with meditation, resulting in stress relief and calmness.
- The aerobic exercises followed by several types of pins and rolls
It may feel challenging at the start, but with time and commitment, you will get maximum advantages from it.
Self Awareness and Movements Control
Another known positive aspect of Aikido is the self-awareness it raises in an individual as a human. It redirects his path of life and makes him a better person inside out. There are various levels and stages followed in Aikido regarding awareness like companionship, forgiveness, purification, etc.
- The first stage is forgiveness and companionship. In this, the trainers teach the learners that your opponent is your mind’s imaginary character and therefore don’t consider him as an enemy. Instead, he is your partner, whom you can’t hurt at all, neither consciously nor unconsciously. The person next to you, your partner, is your own projection, and the world is the projection of your way of thinking.
- The second stage is purification. In this stage, different techniques of meditation develop the ability to separate one’s mind from thinking ability. Instead, the focus is to make you free from the process of thinking, in turn leading to no thoughts in your mind and a temporary separation from this world.
- The last step is the awareness of your body movement. You know how to control and move your arms and legs and execute the defensive techniques without hurting the opponent.
Philosophy of Aikido:
The philosophy of Aikido is to focus on one’s character and improve yourself as a human being. It doesn’t focus on the fighting tactics but on a person’s moral and spiritual qualities. Aikido is all about making yourself friendly and calm with zero to no ego. In short, it helps turn you into a person who can make this world a better place to live. It provides you with the power to make your inner serene and others calm.
Can we use Aikido in MMA?
Using Aikido in MMA is just like taking a knife with you to fight against people who have cannons and guns. Yes, where MMA requires brutal fighting techniques and strong, powerful throws, Aikido is a soft martial art form that doesn’t train to hurt others.
Reason:
The use of all Aikido is not banned at all in MMA. You can use it, but there is no point in applying it. MMA fighters are lethal, driven, and more brutal players that give their opponents gruesome throws and pushes so that they can defeat the opponent easily. There is no concept of not hitting the opponent or thinking of him as your partner. Instead, in MMA fighting, your opponent is the worst enemy. You intend to make him lose by giving as strong a push as possible.
And in Aikido, it’s simply wrong, and you can never opt for this kind of brutal act no matter what. You always have to take care of your opponent and make sure you don’t hurt him. That makes it clear why Aikido is impractical to use in MMA fighting.
Mental Health and Stress
Aikido is quite helpful in lowering your stress level and leading to better mental health. Its exercises help in keeping your mind relaxed and stress-free. Aikido training results in a positive state of mind. Therefore, an Aikido learner can easily cope with stress and challenging conditions. He can resolve conflicts without losing his temper or getting frustrated at all.
Techniques of Aikido not allowed in MMA:
We cannot use all of the Aikido fighting techniques and throws in MMA. A few techniques that aren’t allowed in MMA are:
- You cannot throw your opponent beyond a measured perimeter given in instructions.
- You can’t use wrist locks at all in MMA, although it is a significant move of Aikido.
- Holding shorts or gloves of your opponent is not permitted.
- Grabbing the chest of the opponent is not allowed in MMA.
Is Aikido effective in Street fighting?
When discussing what is Aikido good for, how can we forget about its advantage in street fighting? Aikido teaches the defensive techniques to apply when stuck between various fighters. That’s how it is helpful to learn Aikido in street fights. In modern cities, the gang system exists in one form or another. Aikido helps us move between a group of attackers and prevent ourselves from being backed into the corner from where we can’t escape.
Aikido also helps us learn how to use the attacker as a shield from another attacker and the other way around. So, in short, we can claim that yes, Aikido helps a lot in facing outside confrontation.
Where to learn Aikido?
Learning Aikido requires proper attention as it involves a lot of subtle moves, techniques, and execution of the throws perfectly. Therefore getting appropriate training from some training center is more preferable. However, learning Aikido online is also an option if you are on a tight budget.
Conclusion:
Aikido is the perfect choice to make if you want to master all self-defense tricks and make your body fit. Now we have completed our job of making you aware of what is Aikido good for, and is Aikido real or not?
Learning a soft form of martial arts is better than learning none. So, what are you waiting for? Find a training center near your residence, and get training in Aikido.
