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Old 08-30-2007, 07:52 AM   #1
Tony Hudspith
Dojo: Hartlepool/Peterlee
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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
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Old 08-30-2007, 08:14 AM   #2
David Humm
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

-- Answer.. don't wear an aikido badge which draws questions.
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Old 08-30-2007, 08:27 AM   #3
MM
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

How about ...

Using universal harmony to hit your attacker with a planet?
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Old 08-30-2007, 10:11 AM   #4
odudog
Dojo: Dale City Aikikai
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

How about: a non-violent martial art of unarmed self defense.
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Old 08-30-2007, 11:03 AM   #5
wildaikido
Dojo: Hans de Jong Self Defence School
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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
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Old 08-30-2007, 11:05 AM   #6
Dewey
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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.
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Old 08-30-2007, 11:06 AM   #7
Qatana
 
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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)

Q
http://www.aikidopetaluma.com/
www.knot-working.com

"It is not wise to be incautious when confronting a little smiling bald man"'- Rule #1
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Old 08-30-2007, 11:21 AM   #8
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
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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 -
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Old 08-30-2007, 11:38 AM   #9
Michael Meister
Dojo: South Hetton
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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.
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Old 08-30-2007, 12:36 PM   #10
lbb
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Dave Humm wrote: View Post
-- 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.
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Old 08-30-2007, 03:01 PM   #11
Erick Mead
 
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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.
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Old 08-30-2007, 03:48 PM   #12
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
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Lightbulb Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Erick Mead wrote: View Post
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 -
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Old 08-30-2007, 04:01 PM   #13
statisticool
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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."
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Old 08-30-2007, 04:05 PM   #14
Erick Mead
 
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Mark Uttech wrote: View Post
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.
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Old 08-30-2007, 04:48 PM   #15
Dewey
Location: St. Louis, MO
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Erick Mead wrote: View Post
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?
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Old 08-30-2007, 04:59 PM   #16
Mark Freeman
Dojo: Dartington
Location: Devon
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Erick Mead wrote: View Post
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.
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Old 08-30-2007, 05:18 PM   #17
Aikibu
Dojo: West Wind Dojo Santa Monica California
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Tony Hudspith wrote: View Post
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
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Old 08-30-2007, 05:51 PM   #18
SeiserL
 
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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!
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Old 08-30-2007, 06:29 PM   #19
Aikibu
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Lynn Seiser wrote: View Post
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.
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Old 08-30-2007, 06:56 PM   #20
Dewey
Location: St. Louis, MO
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
William Hazen wrote: View Post
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: View Post
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!
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Old 08-30-2007, 08:53 PM   #21
wildaikido
Dojo: Hans de Jong Self Defence School
Location: Perth
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Australia
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Jo Adell wrote: View Post
(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
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Old 08-31-2007, 01:23 AM   #22
adriangan
 
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Re: Help! How to explain what Aikido is in one sentence

Quote:
Mike Braxton wrote: View Post
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"
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Old 08-31-2007, 04:10 AM   #23
xuzen
 
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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.
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Old 08-31-2007, 04:32 AM   #24
happysod
Dojo: Kiburn, London, UK
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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?
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Old 08-31-2007, 04:50 AM   #25
SeiserL
 
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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!
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