About Aikido Aikido: Is a classical Japanese martial art developed in the early part of the last century by Morihei Ueshiba, known to Aikido students as O-Sensei (which means Great Teacher). O-Sensei was an extraordinary man, highly skilled in a variety of martial arts, as well as a devoted student of religion and philosophy. Purpose: O-Sensei believed that the purpose of the martial arts should not only be for self-defense or a way of defeating an opponent. Rather, he felt it should be used as a means of developing ourselves as human beings, and as a way of coping with the stress and confusion of a rapidly changing world. Movements: In Aikido we never clash with an attacker head-on. Instead, utilizing evasive, circular movements we blend with the attack, leading the attacker into a variety of throws or joint locking techniques. Although Aikido is a powerful and effective form of self-defense, the techniques have been developed in such a way as to avoid permanent injury to an attacker. You don't have to be strong or young to practice Aikido. It can be practiced by women, men and children of all sizes and ages, since it uses the attacker’s size and strength against them.Practice is geared toward an individual's ability and comfort level when he or she begins, and classes are conducted with a spirit of encouragement. Students help each other learn the techniques, and one learns as much from performing the technique as from receiving it. Weapons: While Aikido does not focus on weapons practice, the movements are derived from defense against weapons attacks. The dojo does, therefore, practice some weapons training with wooden practice weapons: the jo (staff), bokken (sword) and tanto (knife). Weapons training should always be taken very seriously. Even though the practice weapons are wood, careless use of them can seriously injure one's practice partner. For this reason, weapons practice is usually reserved for students with a fair amount of Aikido training. Competition in Aikido: There are no tournaments or competitive matches in Aikido. Instead you learn through repetitive practice in a thoughtful, studious atmosphere. Being non-competitive in nature, Aikido practices can be soft and flowing or vigorous and aerobic depending on the desires of you and your partner. Aikido promotes suppleness, flexibility and concentration as well as a confident, balanced personality. Aikido does not rely on strength, and can be practiced by almost anyone.