Is Aikido a form of Haragei - the cultivation and development of Hara in the activity of Aikido? Or is Aikido out there, unique and on its own? I know at least one Hombu Shihan for whom Aikido is about Hara. The Japanese tend to take this for granted, but Westerners don't really understand it and construe Aikido as some sort of 'kick ass' martial art. What do you think? Check out this book review on the subject of Hara -
http://alister-aikiblog.blogspot.com/