|
|
Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the
world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to
over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a
wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history,
humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.
If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced
features available, you will need to register first. Registration is
absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!
|
08-30-2007, 07:52 AM
|
#1
|
Dojo: Hartlepool/Peterlee
Location: Hartlepool
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 38
Offline
|
Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Hi everyone
If you can put yourself in my place for a moment and sympathise with me but more importantly help me.
I was at a wedding recently in my suit etc on which I always wear an Aikido lapel badge. This always bring up the question "What's that Aikido you do then?"
I can koshi people from one end of the mat to the other. I can taisabaki like a spinning top but can I hell give a good answer to that question.
People tend to answer it for me by saying "Is that the one with the sticks?"
If anyone can come up with an ideal, one sentence phrase to sum up Aikido I would be greatly appreciated. I think I gave a different answer each time as the previous one wasn't to my liking.
I can see this one being a difficult thread to answer.
Many thanks
Tony
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 08:14 AM
|
#2
|
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 269
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
-- Answer.. don't wear an aikido badge which draws questions.
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 08:27 AM
|
#3
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,996
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
How about ...
Using universal harmony to hit your attacker with a planet?
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 10:11 AM
|
#4
|
Dojo: Dale City Aikikai
Location: VA
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 394
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
How about: a non-violent martial art of unarmed self defense.
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 11:03 AM
|
#5
|
Dojo: Hans de Jong Self Defence School
Location: Perth
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 239
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Aikido is a martial art that emphasises harmonising with the energy of your partner, through techniques that include strikes, locks, and throws (and yes we use sticks ).
Regards,
|
Graham Wild
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 11:05 AM
|
#6
|
Location: St. Louis, MO
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 179
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
I love these situations (note my sarcasm) because no matter what you say, it's not adaquate nor does it do justice to Aikido. I try to keep it real simple, then only go into details if they seem interested.
To people somewhat familiar with the martial arts:
"It's a style of jujutsu."
To those with no knowledge of the martial arts:
"It's like Judo"
-or-
"It's a modern version of the martial art that the samurai used"
To my 87 year old grandmother who gets confused easily, I just call it Judo...and hope O'Sensei will forgive me!
My reasoning? Most folks, even with very little or no knowledge of the martial arts, at least have an idea what Judo is...if not just from what they see on TV or in the movies. If they don't know what Judo is, they at least know what a samurai is.
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 11:06 AM
|
#7
|
Dojo: Aikido of Petaluma, Petaluma,CA
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 834
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
"That stuff Steven Segal "does"".
(yes I am being facetious)(and refuse to use smileys)
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 11:21 AM
|
#8
|
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
Location: Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,224
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
My simple answer has always been: "Aikido? Aikido is wonderful." and for those who persist, I add, "come and see."
In gassho,
Mark
|
- Right combination works wonders -
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 11:38 AM
|
#9
|
Dojo: South Hetton
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 97
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
I find a variation of nikyo quite useful. You know, that kind of thing, when people try take something out of someones elses hand, by prying back fingers... that certainly isn't aikido.
Aikido is, when they actually let go, because you help them keep a tight grip on the object they want so much.
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 12:36 PM
|
#10
|
Location: Massachusetts
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,202
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Dave Humm wrote:
-- Answer.. don't wear an aikido badge which draws questions.
|
That would be my approach, too. Wearing a badge invites questions that can't be adequately answered with a one-liner. If you're not prepared to have a discussion, best leave the badge at home.
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 03:01 PM
|
#11
|
Dojo: Big Green Drum (W. Florida Aikikai)
Location: West Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,619
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Why is everyone missing the obvious?
Aikido is explained around the world in a single sentence:
"Here, grab my wrist."
|
Cordially,
Erick Mead
一隻狗可久里馬房但他也不是馬的.
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 03:48 PM
|
#12
|
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
Location: Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,224
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Erick Mead wrote:
Why is everyone missing the obvious?
Aikido is explained around the world in a single sentence:
"Here, grab my wrist."
|
I don't think that "here, grab my wrist" works at all and does not give a good impression; it makes skeptical people all the more skeptic. That may be why it isn't as obvious as you think. It would be interesting to have a poll to see how many people actually use that sentence.
In gassho,
Mark
|
- Right combination works wonders -
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 04:01 PM
|
#13
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 534
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
martial art focused on blending with an attack
?
|
A secret of internal strength?:
"Let your weight from the crotch area BE in his hands."
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 04:05 PM
|
#14
|
Dojo: Big Green Drum (W. Florida Aikikai)
Location: West Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,619
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Mark Uttech wrote:
I don't think that "here, grab my wrist" works at all and does not give a good impression; it makes skeptical people all the more skeptic. That may be why it isn't as obvious as you think. It would be interesting to have a poll to see how many people actually use that sentence.
|
Does no one anymore have a sense of humor ? Obviously, you have no idea how long a sentence I usually cobble together.
Try this as a condensed but very close paraphrase of O Sensei:
"In Aikido you never go against the attacker's power -- using the principle of absolute nonresistance, all attacking power is contained inside a circle, and striking or cutting, there is essentially one line or one point -- avoid this, remain outside of that circle, and he becomes powerless, and no matter how strong he is, you can convert him in a gentle way because you can pin him easily while you are outside of his circle, while he has already become powerless."
NOW "Grab my wrist and try to punch me."
|
Cordially,
Erick Mead
一隻狗可久里馬房但他也不是馬的.
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 04:48 PM
|
#15
|
Location: St. Louis, MO
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 179
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Erick Mead wrote:
Does no one anymore have a sense of humor ?....
(cut/edit)
...NOW "Grab my wrist and try to punch me."
|
Did you ever notice my signature?
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 04:59 PM
|
#16
|
Dojo: Dartington
Location: Devon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,220
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Erick Mead wrote:
Does no one anymore have a sense of humor ? Obviously, you have no idea how long a sentence I usually cobble together.
|
Erick, your sentences are the stuff of legend, I hear that the Oxford English department are now running a module entitled "How does he do that?"
regards,
Mark
p.s Aikido is "loving your attacker into submission"
|
Success is having what you want. Happiness is wanting what you have.
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 05:18 PM
|
#17
|
Dojo: West Wind Dojo Santa Monica California
Location: Malibu, California
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,295
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Tony Hudspith wrote:
Hi everyone
If you can put yourself in my place for a moment and sympathise with me but more importantly help me.
I was at a wedding recently in my suit etc on which I always wear an Aikido lapel badge. This always bring up the question "What's that Aikido you do then?"
I can koshi people from one end of the mat to the other. I can taisabaki like a spinning top but can I hell give a good answer to that question.
People tend to answer it for me by saying "Is that the one with the sticks?"
If anyone can come up with an ideal, one sentence phrase to sum up Aikido I would be greatly appreciated. I think I gave a different answer each time as the previous one wasn't to my liking.
I can see this one being a difficult thread to answer.
Many thanks
Tony
|
Was she hot??? You know.... The babe that asked you "what Aikido was"....LOL
Next time...stay centered...breath deeply...and the answer will come to naturally just like the techniques do LOL
My standard Chick Answer.... "Aikido is the way of love baby."
It works..................Sometimes anyway.
William Hazen
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 05:51 PM
|
#18
|
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
The art of entering and blending.
|
Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 06:29 PM
|
#19
|
Dojo: West Wind Dojo Santa Monica California
Location: Malibu, California
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,295
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Lynn Seiser wrote:
The art of entering and blending.
|
Tried that line a few times.... I always ended up with a drink on me or a slap on my face...
William Hazen
A Master of the Gentle Art of AI-( as in you!!)CAD-DO
Last edited by Aikibu : 08-30-2007 at 06:32 PM.
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 06:56 PM
|
#20
|
Location: St. Louis, MO
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 179
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
William Hazen wrote:
Was she hot??? You know.... The babe that asked you "what Aikido was"....LOL
Next time...stay centered...breath deeply...and the answer will come to naturally just like the techniques do LOL
My standard Chick Answer.... "Aikido is the way of love baby."
It works..................Sometimes anyway.
William Hazen
|
Quote:
William Hazen wrote:
Tried that line a few times.... I always ended up with a drink on me or a slap on my face...
William Hazen
A Master of the Gentle Art of AI-( as in you!!)CAD-DO
|
That's gold, William, gold!
|
|
|
|
08-30-2007, 08:53 PM
|
#21
|
Dojo: Hans de Jong Self Defence School
Location: Perth
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 239
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Jo Adell wrote:
(and refuse to use smileys)
|
This makes me What have the little smileys done to you
You should be things like this make me
|
Graham Wild
|
|
|
08-31-2007, 01:23 AM
|
#22
|
Dojo: Jitsuyo Bugei
Location: Manila
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 61
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Mike Braxton wrote:
How about: a non-violent martial art of unarmed self defense.
|
Mike beat me to it...Hmm...if I were to give a different definition when asked by someone who doesn't know anything about Martial Arts, I'd tell them it's kinda like the Golf of Martial Arts
|
"Masakatsu Agatsu"
|
|
|
08-31-2007, 04:10 AM
|
#23
|
Dojo: None at the moment - on hiatus
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 965
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Aikido is a private non-judgemental, non-gender bias, non ageist, non-anything S&M club. We pay top money to have total stranger produce pain upon us. Instead of leather thong.. we wear a Hakama. But still HAWT baby!
Boon.
|
SHOMEN-ATE (TM), the solution to 90% of aikido and life's problems.
|
|
|
08-31-2007, 04:32 AM
|
#24
|
Dojo: Kiburn, London, UK
Location: London
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 899
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
Quote:
Aikido is "loving your attacker into submission"
|
As this is a PG12A website I'm going to have to leave that one alone... so is your nickname really sensei lurve?
|
|
|
|
08-31-2007, 04:50 AM
|
#25
|
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
Offline
|
Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence
[quote=William Hazen;188242]Tried that line a few times.... I always ended up with a drink on me or a slap on my face... QUOTE]
Ah yes, the old days before I studied Aikido. I remember them all too well. ;-)
|
Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:06 AM.
|
vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
|
|