FREE ESSAY ON AIKIDO

AIKIDO

Aikido
Unity of The Body and Mind
Aikido is a Japanese martial art currently practiced throughout the world. Behind the
powerful catapulting throws and immobilizing locks and pins of Aikido lie some very
simple principles: remove yourself from the direct line of your enemy's attack, and
through the absorption and deflection of the force of the attack, your enemy is taken out
of balance and defeated by the energy of his or her own aggression. Aikido does not use
strength against strength, but stresses body and mind relaxation to direct the opponent's
force away. Because its main purpose is not to take the offensive in injuring or harming
the opponent, Aikido has often been called a nonviolent martial art. 
In daily practice, the student of Aikido seeks to achieve the firmness, stability,
sobriety and elegance which make Aikido on e of the most powerful and beautiful ways of
artistic expression, while conserving its potential as one of the most devastating offers
of self-defense. 
Aikido may be practiced by all people regardless of age, sex, religion, or previous
athletic ability. 
Systematic Aikido practice leads to increased aerobic capacity and to overall body
conditioning through both flexibility and strength training. 
General Philosophy of Aikido 
Aikido makes extensive use of the concept of ki. Aikido is one of the more spiritual
martial arts and has been referred to as 'moving Zen'. The name Aikido can be translated
as 'the way of harmony of ki'. Exactly what ki 'is' is a somewhat controversial issue. 
Some believe that the physical entity ki simply does not exist. Instead, the spirit, the
intention, the bio-physico-psychological coordination through relaxation and awareness
are concepts being used in the teaching.
One must first learn to control oneself before attempting to harmonize and control
others. Without a good balance and control of oneself, one can neither avoid an attack
nor apply an effective technique on others. It is through self-control that one can learn
to enjoy a harmonious way of life.
Ai- come together or to harmonize
ki- the spirit of the universe'
Do- the way
Ki
Ki is the force behind all things. Everything in the universe has Ki. Ki is the essence
of our world. It is the basis of all matter, every phenomenon, emotion, sense, direction,
will, consciousness and conscience. Ki is also an energy which can be very useful in our
daily lives when used properly. Ki is our life force which keeps us alive. Ki is the
binding force of our mind and body. We can be very efficient if we unify our mind and
body. However, it is rather difficult to maintain the oneness of mind and body throughout
our daily lives without something to bind them together. As electricity keeps the
computer and the robot working together, Ki keeps the mind and the body working in
oneness.
Oneness
In order to harmonize with the laws of nature, we must first learn to develop and
maintain the right attitude of training. We must always keep the attitude of becoming one
with every situation. This is an attitude of respect for all things at all times.
Regardless of the situation, friend or foe, one must always be ready to harmonize. The
right attitude greatly affects the efficiency of the action. It is not how strong, but
rather how correct you are that counts. This concept of oneness will make it possible for
anyone regardless of age or sex to perform the arts efficiently.
4 Keys to Body and Mind Unity
1. Calmly let your mind settle at an imaginary point about two inches below the navel.
2. Relax your enire body to the point where you are able to maintain complete control of
yourself by keeping calmness of mind and body between tenseness and limpness.
3. Naturally allow the gravitational pull to settle your entire body down to where it
should settle.
4. To think positively and be ready for action with a calm and flexible mind without
referring to excessive physical strength. A positive attitude toward life.