About Aikido
What is Aikido?
The word aikido is a combination of three kanji: ai, ki, and do. Ai is to join or harmonize, ki means spirit or life energy, and do is the path or way. When the three kanji are combined, aikido can be defined as "the Way of harmonious spirit."
Aikido is a Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), whom is also known as "O Sensei" (Great Teacher). It is a blending of the martial arts that Ueshiba studied, philosophy, and his religious beliefs. He developed aikido as a way to promote an art that students of aikido could use to defend themselves as well as protect their attacker(s) from being harmed.
The techniques of aikido use circular motions to blend with the energy of the attacker. Aikido is not reliant of physical strength, but rather the mastering of the techniques. Surprisingly, it is an excellent martial art for "height challenged" individuals.
For more detailed information about Aikido history and techniques, check out the Wikipedia page on Aikido.