Aikido is one of the oldest types of martial arts. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido came about through the study of a lot of diverse types of traditional martial arts. In fact, is often perceived as a form of exercise or a dance because of some of its forms. It is also viewed by some quarters as some form of martial mesmerism. Aikido is even mixed up with Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, it is dissimilar in its essence. Still, its founder attributed his creation of aikido to the way, his master Sokaku Takeda, grandmaster of Daito Ryu, opened his eyes to the nature of Budo. This is something you might want to look into if you are planning a wedding - in addition to wholesale wedding favors you might want a way to be calm and get in shape.

What is aikido? Notwithstanding its many perceived forms, aikido is a Budo or martial arts. It is the fine-tuning of the techniques that are being taught in traditional martial arts and is shared with a philosophy that calls on the power of the life-force. In its essence, it is a blending of the body and the mind. Its philosophy is basically derived from the belief that deceptions and trickery or brute force will not make us defeat our opponents. Instead, concentration that involves the spirit will be enough to strengthen us. This is the same philosophy that applies to boxer dog training.

Aikido is also used as a method to find our genuine paths so that we can develop our individuality. If you get your personal trainer certification, this is something you will learn. It also instructs its practitioners to unify their body and their mind so that they will grow to be in agreement with the “universe” and with nature. Their might and their strength will come from this balance and harmony. The word “universe” in aikido is not some obscure conception that one cannot achieve. It is actually quite real and is even within the grasp of the person. In aikido, “universe” can be achieved through actual experiences and everyday life.

Aikido’s movements and ways of doing things are circular. When a circle is created in aikido, the person is said to be protected from a collision from an opposing force. A firm center, however, is needed to create this circle. An example of a firm circle is a spinning top that spins at rapid velocity. Without a firm center, the speed of movement will only create imbalance. The stillness of the spinning top while in speeding motion is what is called sumikiri in Aikido language. This is gotten only by what Aikido founder calls “total clarity of mind and body.” However, this is not so easily achieved. It takes a long time of study and practice in order to find this intense concentration and centeredness.

Training is important in aikido as well as focus because while it may be easy to create a centered being when inside a martial arts gym, the same cannot be said of situations and circumstances outside. It will not be effortless to keep one’s tranquillity when faced with unexpected circumstances. This is actually one of the goals of Aikido training. It aims to teach its practitioners to sustain their calm and their centeredness even in panic situations such as danger and calamities. One method taught in aikido is to breathe with what is called the seika tanden point. This is the part of the body that can be found two inches below the navel. Controlled breathing is one key to being one with the universe and to center oneself with nature. When a person learns to do this, he or she will feel exceptional peace that they can use in the practice of aikido.