Aikido And Internal Martial Arts

There are a number of ways to classify different martial arts. Some people separate martial arts into “internal” martial arts and “external” martial arts. External martial martial arts work more on developing the skills that seem obvious for fighting and self defence: punching, kicking, wrestling, grappling. The conditioning of the body within these arts is … Continue reading Aikido And Internal Martial Arts

Building Ki With Aikido

Ki is a controversial topic in Aikido.Many Aikido teachers do not talk about Ki very much.Other will suggest that when we say Ki we mean something like breath, timing, intention, relaxation, internal power and other more easily understood concepts with a clear explanation.When Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of Aikido) died the head teacher at the … Continue reading Building Ki With Aikido

Why Are There No Competitions In Aikido?

I made a comment recently that there were no competitions in Aikido. This is technically not correct. There is a style of Aikido that does have competitions. In fact, there may be more than one style but the main one is called Tomiki Aikido. This was named after Kenji Tomiki, a student of the founder … Continue reading Why Are There No Competitions In Aikido?

What Is Your Goal In Aikido?

In the world of Aikido, we don’t have competitions.This can be seen as a good thing. In theory, it should lead to Aikido being practised in a supportive and collaborative way.It also goes in turn with the Aikido idea of not fighting with our attacker but instead harmonising with the attack.But a lack of competition … Continue reading What Is Your Goal In Aikido?

False Equivalences In Aikido (Comparing Apples With Oranges)

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com You must have heard the common phrase: “comparing apples with oranges”. This comes up in situations when people make a comparison between two things that really should not be compared. Do you have a hobby that people are confused by? They wonder why you would ever do that? Why … Continue reading False Equivalences In Aikido (Comparing Apples With Oranges)

What Do Other’s Say About Aikido?

Here are a few words other's have shared about our Aikido classes in Glasgow:“When I started Aikido I was probably at my lowest point. Through past trauma I was suffering with my mental health and making wrong choices. Some days were more difficult than others to even get out of the house. I received a … Continue reading What Do Other’s Say About Aikido?

Origins Of Aikido

History, in many respects, has unfolded on the battlefield. Nations and races have risen and fallen to ruin in the midst of struggles - battles waged in the name of justice and peace, but which instead gave birth to the notion of military might and conquest. In Japan, the Samurai or warrior class were the … Continue reading Origins Of Aikido