Aikido and the Fundamentals-Learn the Right Way the First Time

Aikido being a martial art that came from the unification of several other martial arts. Its creator was Ueshiba ,he created aikido sometime in the 1940s. It was the result of Ueshibas search for a technique that provided him with contentment not only in the technical sense but also in the spiritual side.

The definition of Aikido-Aikido comes from the three Japanese words, ai-ki-do, which means joining, spirit, and way respectively. In essence, aikido is a martial arts form that focuses on the joining of the spirit and the body and the mind to find the Way.

Aikido has several techniques and movements. Some of the basic structure comes from locks and throws common in the art of Jujitsu and many come from the movements that practitioners do when they are using the swords and spears.

Techniques of Aikido - the Fundamentals

Here are some of the many types of fundamental movements of this martial art.

Ikkyo

This, the first technique in aikido, where control is achieved by the use of the hand on the elbow and one near the wrist. This is the grip that is also that can apply pressure into the ulnar, which can be found in the medial portion of the arm.

Nikyo

This is the second of the techniques, which is characterized by an adductive wrist lock that twists the arm and then applies pressure in the nerve that can be really painful.

Sankyo

This is the third technique that incorporates a pronating move. It directs an upward tension all through the arm, the elbow and the shoulder.

Yonkyo

The fourth installment in the fundamental movements of aikido, yonkyo uses a shoulder control movement similar to a ikkyo but this time there is no gripping of the forearm. Instead, the knuckles apply pressure on the radial nerve

Gokyo

The fifth technique is actually a variant of ikkyo. This time the hand gripping the wrist will be inverted and twisted.

Aikido protective moves

Here are some of the moves that you can use in order to disarm your opponent.

Kotogaeshi this is what is called in the English as the wrist return. In this move, the practitioner will place a wristlock and throw that will stretch up to the extensor digitorum

Iriminage called the entering-body throw, here the practitioner or the nage will move into the space where the uke or the opponent is. This classic move resembles the clothesline technique.

Kokyunage this is the breath throw, a term that refers to the various types of timing throws.

Koshinage this move is aikidos version of the hip throw where in the person will drop his hips a little lower than the opponent or the uke. He will then flip the opponent with a resultant fulcrum.

Tenchinage Called the heaven and earth throw because of the levels that the hands will reach. The uke or the practitioner will grip both wrists and then moves forward grabbing the hand low and the other high. This unbalances the uke, which will cause him to fall over.

Shihonage- this is the four-direction throw, wherein the hand is folded back past the shoulders and then afterwards locking the joints in the shoulder

Kaitennage- called the rotation throw, in kaitennage, the practitioner or the nage will move the arm backwards until the shoulder joints are locked. He will then use this position to add pressure.

Jujinage- this is the throw that is characterized by a throw that locks the arms together. This is called shape like a 10 throw because of its cross-shape, which looks like 10 in kanji.

This is by no means a complete understanding of the fundamentals of the great art of Aikido.  But we all have to start somewhere and having a basic understanding of the terms and uses, we can move forward in our martial arts training.  

Here is a great book going into much more detail than this article.