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GENERAL INFORMATION
BENEFITS
INTRODUCTION
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Aikido is a martial art based on non-resistance and as such is more spiritual in nature than other martial arts. It also has many other positive qualities as follows:
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GOOD EXERCISE
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Aikido is good exercise. The stretching we do before class improves flexibility and prepares muscles for a brisk workout. The workouts themselves require the body to accomplish unusual feats such as forward and backward rolls, breakfalls, and how to be taken down without getting hurt. In the process the body tones up and gets a thorough workout.
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DEVELOPS SELF-DEFENSE SKILLS
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Learning aikido techniques gives us alternatives when we are threatened. Instead of freezing from fear we learn to replace fear with action. This empowers us to control the threat instead of becoming a victim.
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IMPROVES BALANCE
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Practicing aikido teaches the body to work from its center therefore keeping one's balance as the techniques are applied. Improved balance helps in everyday life and keeps us from getting hurt by losing our balance and falling. It also helps in controlling the body for physical activities such as skiing, dancing, and other sports.
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INCREASES SELF-ESTEEM
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Regular work on the techniques improves self-esteem by challenging students to do things they wouldn't normally attempt. For instance, moving in on an attacker or taking down someone bigger than you are gives a sense of accomplishment and improves self-image.
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DEVELOPS TEAMWORK
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One of the positive things about aikido is that it encourages teamwork. Since there is no competition, both uke and nage are obliged to help each other learn and practice the techniques. This in turn helps us in everyday life by showing how to help each other for the common good.
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ENCOURAGES SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
The theories behind aikido can be applied to everyday life. Here are some examples of how spiritual ideas and aikido techniques can work together to improve our lives:
Detachment - "indifference to the outcome" - Being attached to outcomes or the way we want things to be is a source of grief or pain. We therefore, bring this pain upon ourselves by wanting things to go a certain way. Releasing ourselves from being attached to the outcome frees us from the pain that we would otherwise cause ourselves. Thinking that we need to be perfect when we practice aikido is a sure way to cause ourselves upset.
Non-resistance - "follow what is led" - In life we get along with others better when we learn to deal with others without attacking or maligning them. Our natural tendency when we are attacked is to attack in return or to resist. Aikido teaches us to go with the flow by redirecting our attacker's energy so that we are not hurt in the process. Thus we have the tools to produce positive outcomes.
Power of thoughts - "as you think so shall it be" - If we have negative thoughts about people or life we will surely manifest those thoughts in our daily lives. Negative thoughts turn even good things into bad by focusing on what's wrong instead of what's right with people or situations. We must constantly remind ourselves while learning aikido that although the techniques and exercises may be a challenge, with persistence and faith we will prevail.
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