Tell me about Aikido....

[DanielBishop]

Hey, I've never been to this board before and never really been into martial arts. I did Tae Kwon Do for a few weeks when I was about 8, and did some boxing training (unseriously) for probably a year or so when I was about 16-17. That's about the extent of it, so I don't know much really.

Anyway, when we graduate from university (a few years off yet) my wife and would like to move to Korea and we'd like to start a few hobbies, one of which is a martial art.

From what I know of it, I like the sound of Aikido. We wouldn't REALLY be doing it for practical self-defense, since the last thing we want is to get into a fight and we're not the sort of people to be in those situations anyway.... but you never know what can happen, I guess. I would like to be proficient with an art which would give me confidence and peace-of-mind that I could immobilise an attacker. I'm not interested in competition or being flashy.... just want something fun which we could do in a class which would be good for socialising and fitness, and which might have some self-defense benefit if need be.

If anyone has time, please tell me about Aikido. I'm interested to know what it's about. Also any other arts you're familiar with, which deal with grappling, arm/wrist locks and the like.

Thanks!!

 

[danielson]

as far as i can tell its a very soft, and depending on your teacher spiritual art

i have no idea about the fitness inviolved as i;ve never ben to a class, io dopnt think there is an awful lot of striking in it, and since your using your opponents energy in a lot of the moves i dont think its as physical as other styles, but then again im not as qualified to answer


nearly all styles of kung fu if taught proerly have chin-na (locking) fast wrestling and striking, but the best for locking (traditionally) seem to be crane, eagle, mantis and maybe a few others ive forgotten, as do all the varuious tai-chi styles

ju-jitsu has some good locking techniques it it if i recall correctly, JKD (jeet kun do) does too i think,


im sure you could find an instrutor who teaches a mix of everything, but if your looking for just locking, JJ and aikido seem good choices

 

[DanielBishop]

Thanks for that!!

I guess I'll have to wait until we get over there and search around to all different classes and see what we like.

I appreciate your reply.

 

[Thaibox]

If you're going to move to Korea, why not take advantage of that, and study a Korean art. There are many good styles, some with grappling incorporated, as well as some modern adaptations of traditional styles that have recognized the importance of grappling and introduced it into their system.

Chung Moo Doe
Hapkido
Hwa Rang Do
Kuk Sool Won
Kumdo
Pyong Hwa Do
Tae Kwon-Do
Tang Soo Do/Soo
Bahk Do

However, Aikido is an excellent art. With all my current injuries, I am going to begin studying it formally in a year or so, and pursue a future in that as well as traditional Ju-jitsu. Aikido is basically "The Art of Peace." It utitlizes your opponents movement against himself. Every move is based around the circle, since things can easily flow in that pattern continuously. For example, when an attack is delivered to you, you direct it past you, and pull that attack into the circle, where you now have control over it using the attackers momentum. From here, you may choose to release the attack, simply spinning your opponent away or to the ground. Or you may choose to reverse the momentum against him with your own, creating an impact that would do some decent damage. Once you've come to a high level of proficiency in Aikido, you have the incredible power of choice. What I mean by that is the choice of what happens to your opponent. You can keep him moving until he tires out, or gets fed up falling down, then you can reconcile your differences and no one is hurt. Or, you can fuck him up pretty good. I've always liked Aikido, but have never studied it formally. I figured I would save it for when I was older because I've always been a very aggresive striker.

There is a good relevant quote that says "the warrior chooses a life of peace. All others are condemned to it."

 

[ronin67]

Aikido is a beautiful style. It is one I highly recommend for people who want to get into a formal style. I do feel it is severely lacking as far as practical applications are concerned. It is to dependent on the attacker intiating a specific technique, and then complying with the you. It is also based on attacks that just do not occur in real life (many attacks are based on sword techniques). I found myself constantly thinking "there is no way I would let you do this", even with the more advanced students. That being said, I like the feel of the Aikido school. It is almost like going back in time, and training in a Japanese temple. This is one style that I fully intend to take up, once I get tired of MMA.

 

[ronin67]

Aikido is a beautiful style. It is one I highly recommend for people who want to get into a formal style. I do feel it is severely lacking as far as practical applications are concerned. It is to dependent on the attacker intiating a specific technique, and then complying with the you. It is also based on attacks that just do not occur in real life (many attacks are based on sword techniques). I found myself constantly thinking "there is no way I would let you do this", even with the more advanced students. That being said, I like the feel of the Aikido school. It is almost like going back in time, and training in a Japanese temple. This is one style that I fully intend to take up, once I get tired of MMA.

P.S. Aikido schools are everywhere, so if you do take it up, you will be able to find another school if you move.

 

[Kwai-Chang Caine]

If you and your wife want to study a martial art as a recreational activity then by all means do Aikido.

However...

If you want even the slightest inkling of combat effectiveness run away from Aikido and fast.

Since you guys are going into this together I think Brazilian Jui-jitsu could be a ton of fun for you both. It would basically involve you and your wife rolling around on the ground with each other putting various chokes and joint locks on one another. It is a tremendous workout and it translates over to the realm or "real" fighting better than most other martial arts. Finding it in Korea could be very tough though.

Judo would also be a respectable choice.

 

[DanielBishop]

So what are some other martial arts which involve wrist/arm/leg-locks.... and chokes and holds and different things like that?

I'd like to research them.

One of my Korean friends once showed me a move.... I don't even know what art it was from, but he told me to throw a punch and before I knew it, I was bent-over, completely off balance and had phenomenal pain shooting up my arm.... I was completely under his control.

I was so impressed.

 

[Kwai-Chang Caine]

DanielBishop,

You don't just want an art that has locks and chokes in it, but one that also allows you to practice what you learn against resistance. Aikido is practiced like a pro-wrestling match; two people engage in predetermined movements and cooperate with each other.

In arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo you practice what you learn competitively versus your other classmates. Since neither of these arts incorporate striking you can pretty much go at it with your fellow pupils at 110 mph.

Go to a BJJ school and then to an aikido school and see for yourself.

 

[DanielBishop]

Yeah, I guess I'll have to just experiment with different classes and see what appeals to us.

I just like the idea of grappling, locks, holds and throws.... even if it won't make me the most rounded fighter or anything, it's not really why we're doing it.