What is Aikido?

This noncompetitive Japanese martial art aims to harmonize energy with that of a partner or opponent in order to achieve both physical and emotional mastery through peaceful resolution. Aikido literally means the path to the coordination of body, mind, and spirit. Aikido is a defensive system of continuous, circular motions, combining many of the fluid, dance-like movements of t’ai chi along with more subtle, stylized techniques. When practiced properly, successful defense is achieved through minimal action. Originally seen as a combination of religion and martial arts, aikido was created by Morehei Ueshiba in the early twentieth century.

Inaba Sensei

Yasuhisa (Yas) Inaba Sensei was born November 26, 1952 in Osaka, Japan. He married Keiko Inaba and immigrated to Calgary in 1980. Yas began his career in Canada as a petroleum engineer, as well as to begin his own dojo as a teaching master of Aikido. He later began his own business, practising and teaching acupuncture and shiatsu. Yas obtained his sixth degree black belt in Aikido and title of Shihan. Yas took great pride in teaching his children the art of Aikido and was very proud of their accomplishments. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, teacher, healer and friend. He will be dearly missed by all his family, patients, friends and students.(November 26, 1952 – January 26, 2009)

Hakama

What is the name of the kind of skirt the aikidoka’s wear?

Hakama. It was originally worn by samurai’s and is used to conceal the movind of the legs. It depends on the dojo where you’re in if the wearing of it is permitted when you’re not a shodan.

Aikido, the Art

Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the aikidōka (aikido practitioner) “leads” the attacker’s momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks. Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.

Aikido Training

In aikido, as in virtually all Japanese martial arts, there are both physical and mental aspects of training. The physical training in aikido is diverse, covering both general physical fitness and conditioning, as well as specific techniques. Because a substantial portion of any aikido curriculum consists of throws, the first thing most students learn is how to safely fall or roll. The specific techniques for attack include both strikes and grabs; the techniques for defense consist of throws and pins. After basic techniques are learned, students study freestyle defense against multiple opponents, and in certain styles, techniques with weapons.