Hi, Im new to Aikido, please help.

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[Ahee. GX]

Hi,

Ive training martial arts most my life. I train, Muay Thai, and Submission fighting and will one day like to fight professionally in Mixed martial arts events.

Im amazed at how Aikido Works and I bought myself a Yoshinkan Aikdo dvd and was very impressed by it.
I will be practicing this, but I would like to train a more sporting type Aikido aswell, for throws and locks mainly.
Which style should i look for and any dvd's, books? Something that I could use for myself against judo or any type of fighter in a sporting type environment.

Also any recommendations for dvd's or books to learn the more spirtual side and ki side of aikido, to build that up and anything to help me as a beginner? Not much into weapons as I do Kendo, and maybe will try Aikido style weapons later.

I know Aikido takes a long while for the magic to start, like alot of styles,but im willing to spend my life on this.

Thank you and please help.

[Fausto]

mmmmm, in aikido the only style that practice a kind of competition is the Tomiki style, but keep in mind that it is not the same competition like the ones which are done in other martial arts.
Keep in mind that the Fonder of Aikido, O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, was against competition.

For what you are looking for, the Yoshinkan style would be a very good choice because is a "hard" style of aikido, there are also other "hard" styles. Try to find a style like that for your training because there are also the so called "soft" style from which you'll find little use for you golds (THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THOSE STYLES ARE USEFULL).

For the spirutual part, well find a Sensei who knows about that, even if it is a difficult thing because the spiritual side of aikido is very complex.

Try to look for aikido dojos in your city go to all of them, watch a couple of lessons then (if the dojo allows you) take a couple of lessons in the dojos you found more interesting for you and then make a choice.

Do not try to learn aikido only by books, or videos because you won't learn a thing.

[Ron Tisdale]

Eeeeeee...I'm not sure how to answer this.

If you like 'sporting' type stuff, perhaps try shodokan aikido, or any of the Tomiki offshoots (I know Peter, it's budo, not sport, but shodokan would perhaps be the closest match to what he's looking for). Peter Rhese (I probably mispelled his name) on this board can direct you to some good tapes, as can several other shodokan trainees here. I believe there's a guy named Sean who posts here from the UK who does shodokan. He also posts to alt.martial-arts.aikido.

From your background, I would say that yoshinkan or shodokan would be the likely best matches, but I have to admit I still cringe a little when I hear about trying to use it in a MMA environment. Probably 1/3rd stupid traditionalism, 1/3rd naive 'if the techniques work you're going to cream someone', 1/3rd you're going to get creamed trying to use aikido in that environment.

Its amazing how all 3 of those perspectives can live in one confused mind.

Best of Luck to you.

Ron (hey, what do I know about MMA anyway?)

[Ahee. GX]

Thanks guys.
I didnt know O sensei was against competition. Im very new to this. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Lol, MMA isnt that bad. Better then boxing or kickboxing. I prefer the ground work part of it anyway.

Anyway, How about for the softer side to Aikido?
Im very interested in this part and Probably wouldnt compete, but I would like to know Aikdo. I find it all useful as ive even practiced Tai Chi internal energy. Im not a meathead, lol.

Its very difficult for me to go find a place to train at the moment. Ive gained skill by watching and learning and then putting it into practice with other sparring partners and seem to do a good job of it so far.

So for now ill just like to do the watching and reading till i move out of my area.

[GaiaTS]

I definitly cringe a bit when I hear about using aikido to compete in a mixed MA competition, but I think Ron's explanation of why is fairly accurate :-) It is also about the general spirt in which one should (in my opinion) practice this art, and the views of the founder.

Both my current sensei and the one I started training under several years ago always inform their students that they are not to use aikido outside of the dojo, especially to hurt another person. And Ron is right... Aikido, when done well (or even not so well), WILL hurt someone who is not familiar with the body movement and following (ukemi).

That said, I think you will learn a lot from Aikido about martial arts and your body and how to interact with people in general, including your opponents in competitions. I certainly recommend studying it! As I said in a post to the "spirituality" forum earlier today, I think the best thing you can do is practice and see what it brings you, rather than trying to impose a spiritual or practical goal on your training. It does take a long time and you will forever be little more than a beginner, so hang in there and just enjoy it!

Ukemi forever,
Gaia

[Ahee. GX]

Thanks guys.
I respect and O sensei and I will not use Aikido moves outside the dojo, unless protection for a last resort.
Any recommendations on dvds and books for beginners? On both Spirtual and actual Moves?

Thanks

[Eriksen]

If you are interested in MMA application of aikido techniques, I guess Jason DeLucia's theories might be of interest to you. In order to avoid commercial advertising on the forum, I'll have to refer you to good old Google for links...

Disclaimer: I haven't seen any of DeLucia Combat Aikido videos myself, so I don't have a clue how good they are. But If you do get them, by all means post a review here ;)

-Eriksen

[p00kiethebear]

In regards to competition. I think anyone who does aikido long enough will learn to appreciate the non competitive aspects of the art. Even if they don't practice them. I would also say to try yoshinkan. But there's no law saying you have to stick with one style in particular. Try whatever is in your area and see what's palatable.

I do agree that aikido technique can mangle an opponent if done correctly or sometimes, incorrectly. But there are plenty of usefull things you can still learn such as Irimi and tenkan movements. Keep in mind those base movements all come from old Takeda Ryu Aiki Jujutsu which was probably among the most devestating styles around.

Books. hmmm...

The Best Aikido volumes by the Doshus are good for going over and looking at the particulars of technique. None of them will teach you of course but they'll give you things to remember when you're on the mat.

Tohei sensei's book Ki In Daily Life covers the spiritual aspect of aikido pretty well in some parts, and gives plenty of exercises you can do around the house or at work, wherever.

As far as tapes go, the only ones I've really seen are Saito sensei's kumi jo and kumi tachi. Those were really useful but i already had lots of sword experience in kenjutsu when I saw them. We were watching them to get new kumi tachi / jo exercises.

Hope this will help a bit.

[deepsoup]

I believe there's a guy named Sean who posts here from the UK who does shodokan. He also posts to alt.martial-arts.aikido.
Yep, thats me. Hi Ron, and thanks.
Shodokan coverage is patchy around the UK, Yoshinkan too, actually, there are large areas of the country with no dojos at all.

If Kourosh could say more specifically where he is, maybe I can recommend somewhere. (But the odds aren't in favour of him having a Shodokan dojo nearby.)

In regards to competition. I think anyone who does aikido long enough will learn to appreciate the non competitive aspects of the art.
I certainly have, I've also learned to appreciate the odd bit of healthy competition too.
(Emphasis on 'healthy', as with so many things its much healthier to have it out in the open. )

HTH
Sean
x

[JasonFDeLucia]

Hi,

Ive training martial arts most my life. I train, Muay Thai, and Submission fighting and will one day like to fight professionally in Mixed martial arts events.

Im amazed at how Aikido Works and I bought myself a Yoshinkan Aikdo dvd and was very impressed by it.
I will be practicing this, but I would like to train a more sporting type Aikido aswell, for throws and locks mainly.
Which style should i look for and any dvd's, books? Something that I could use for myself against judo or any type of fighter in a sporting type environment.

Also any recommendations for dvd's or books to learn the more spirtual side and ki side of aikido, to build that up and anything to help me as a beginner? Not much into weapons as I do Kendo, and maybe will try Aikido style weapons later.

I know Aikido takes a long while for the magic to start, like alot of styles,but im willing to spend my life on this.

Thank you and please help.
to be sure o sensei competed.he took challenges constantly
thats one of the reasons for his proficiency.as for use of weapons ,they are the catalysts for projection,and strategy.no one has foot work like sword fighter,spear fighter ,etc.as for your experience in things like muay thai...great .o sensei said '' striking is 99 percent of the effectiveness .in fact the nature of the neutralizations depends on the strike first.but in practice ,especially noncompetitive,you must drill the tai jutsu without strikes first,then when they become reflexive you integrate strikes

[L. Camejo]

Im amazed at how Aikido Works and I bought myself a Yoshinkan Aikdo dvd and was very impressed by it.
I will be practicing this, but I would like to train a more sporting type Aikido aswell, for throws and locks mainly.
Which style should i look for and any dvd's, books? Something that I could use for myself against judo or any type of fighter in a sporting type environment.

To get an understanding of how to apply Aikido in a sport-type environment (especially against other MA like Judo) at least at a basic level, try the following:

"Aikido: Tradition and the competitive Edge" by F. Shishida and T. Nariyama you can find it on amazon.com here. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0964708329/qid=1083507615/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3845084-8989451?v=glance&s=books)

This is the best book I've seen to date that explains Aikido basic practices and mental/ technical elements in a way that recognises the ability of your attacker to use free will and try anything and everything to put you out. Combined with training at a good Shodokan dojo, this will address most of what you may need for a sporting environment from an Aikido perspective. This does not mean that I would suggest walking into the octagon and going at it. In training for any sport, specialised training within the parameters of the rules of the game is very important. The rules can help or hinder one's natural tendencies.

Another option, written by the Shodokan folks in the U.K. is "Aikido and Randori: Reconciliation of two opposing forces" by Scott Allbright. It can be found here. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1861264984/qid=1083507416/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3845084-8989451?v=glance&s=books#product-details)

As far as DVDs or videos go, I'd direct you to http://www.tomiki.org/videos.html they've recently released a lot of videos on Shodokan competitions and seminars by some of the highest ranks within the system. I think the tournament videos there can help as well.

Imho learning a bunch of techniques does not have much to do with what one may come across in a combat sport (or an actual combat) environment. Training and drilling one's basic combative reactions and knowing how to set up and switch techniques is as important as learning the techniques themselves. They don't work unless you know how to set them up well to begin with. This is the difference between free play and kata. One builds off the other.

Hope this helps.
LC:ai::ki:

[Ahee. GX]

Thanks guys, that was great help. Really alot of help, especailly with the links.

Im from kings Langley Hertforshire.
I train alot at home, but i guess u guys are saying i have to find a club. I will try but if anyone can help me?

Thank u guys again, that was great help.