AIKIDO TECHNIQUES

Aikido describes a modern Japanese martial art which was developed by a Japanese martial arts expert named Ueshiba Morihei.  The name Aikido comes from the Japanese words ai meaning unity or harmony, ki meaning vital breath or energy and does meaning way.  This type of martial arts focuses on managing vital energy (ki) in the abdominal region of the body in order to defeat the opponent.

The art of aikido emphasizes attacking an opponent through specific nerves which when pressed can defeat the opponent without the risk of causing death.  Aikido is based mainly around two categories of movements: movements of control (katame-waza} and movements in which the opponent is thrown (nage-waza).  These two categories comprises over seven hundred different moves most of which are derived from kata.  Kata refers to movements to free oneself from an opponent’s grip, exerting pressure on the limbs to throw the opponent on the ground and applying pressure on the limbs to prevent the opponent from moving.

The difference between success and failure most often is determined by the correct execution of the techniques.  The basic movements that should be taught in aikido are proper footwork, rolling, falling and basic exercises.  With regards to techniques there are four major areas of focus: Stances, Footworks, Attacks and Throws.

Stances

A stance refers to posture with or without a weapon.  A strong physical stance works hand-in-hand with a strong psychological attitude.  The basic stance is the Mutual Stance where the uke (person who gets hit or thrown) and the nage (person who hits or throws) both have the exact foot forward.  Next is the middle position where the fighter’s hands or weapon is positioned with the person’s body.  Another position is the lower position stance where the hands or the weapon is lowered.

Footworks

The first is the ‘Entering Footwork’ where the fighter enters the space of the opponent’s body.  The fighter must place himself in such a way that opponent is forced to cease attack.  Physically it means entering in a way to avoid attack.  Spiritually it means penetrating a violent attack.

Attacks

Grabs and holds are the basic attacks.  Grabs are categorized as collar grabs, shoulder grab, elbow grab, cross-hand grab and strike to the head.   Also in this category are neck strangle, strikes to the chest, abdomen or to the top of the head.  Straight punch, rear choke and striking the side of the head also falls under attacks.

Throws

Throws are not simple and requires a lot of effort from the nuke and the sage.  The basic throws are bending drop throw, entering throw, arm-entwining throw, rotary throw, breath throw, hip throw, writ turn-out throw among others.

There are a lot more techniques to use to provide comprehensive defense and they are based on these basic techniques.  The aikido movements were used by American actor Steven Segal in his movies Above the law and Hard to Kill.