Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > General

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!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 03-28-2012, 12:17 PM   #51
Don Nordin
Dojo: Aikibudokan Houston TX
Location: Houston Texas
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 41
United_States
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

I dont really bother anymore, Aikido is for me, if they ask I simply say its the martial art of peace.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2012, 01:02 PM   #52
jackie adams
Location: CA
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 73
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

Describing Aikido...hmmm....depends on whom I talking to. It is not an easy thing to describe to someone who has never seen it. I give a thumb nail sketch. We toss mock attackers around regardless of size and strength effortlessly and pin them; immobilizing them from movement. We are not a malicious or combative martial art. We strive to follow a modern Japanese code of ethics that parallels the same ethics western society upholds. We also strive to preserve techniques developed by the Founder of Aikido. Finally, we are respecting and upholding his spiritual and martial art philosophy. Then pull out the phone or tablet and show them some video's of Aikido. To go beyond that isn't too effective for someone unfamiliar with Aikido. The best thing is to get them on the mat to try it, give them one on one time. Talk with them after experiencing a class. Explain the Founder's philosophy behind Aikido, and his purpose he envisioned for it. Making sure their experience is a positive and personal one.

Last edited by jackie adams : 03-28-2012 at 01:06 PM.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2012, 01:36 PM   #53
Dave de Vos
 
Dave de Vos's Avatar
Dojo: Shoryukai, Breda (aikikai) & Aiki-Budocentrum Breda (yoseikan)
Location: Baarle-Nassau
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 348
Netherlands
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

In my experience, most people know that aikido is a martial art, but that's about all they know. Many think it's a striking art, because that's their general idea of a martial art.

I tell them that it involves pins and throws and that it's a relatively soft martial art (though there is a lot of variation depending on style and lineage) and that a major principle of aikido is to resolve a dangerous situation with minimal destruction of anyone involved.

Many people ask about tournament competition. I tell them that most styles don't compete in tournaments, because most practisioners feel that it would violate aikido principles (see above). When available, I show a few youtube clips to show what aikido looks like.

And I tell them that I love it

Last edited by Dave de Vos : 03-28-2012 at 01:47 PM.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2012, 02:58 PM   #54
Aikibu
Dojo: West Wind Dojo Santa Monica California
Location: Malibu, California
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,295
United_States
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

The last few years I've used "Yoga with a partner who's really mad at you."

William Hazen
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2012, 03:12 PM   #55
Benjamin Green
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 43
Scotland
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

Depends who I'd be describing it to.

"Throws, sweeps and joint locks." Probably. People tend not to be too good at listening to complex ideas, at least not when you're saying it to them in person.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2012, 11:30 AM   #56
Edgecrusher
 
Edgecrusher's Avatar
Dojo: Tampa, FL
Location: Tampa, Florida
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 86
United_States
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

Quote:
David Santana wrote: View Post
all this time we (in our dojo) describe Aikido as a martial arts of love, where we don't (severely) injure our opponent to protect ourselves.. this approach seems to make people wonder if Aikido can really be used to defend themselves.

we have an embukai coming up and we're thinking if we should stop stressing on the love part and more to the martial part so that people will become more interested. we're hoping that people will understand the love part after they train long enough. what do you think?

how would you describe Aikido to make people more interested?
I often inform the individuals when and where we are training and at what time. I feel it is easier to show than explain. Then you could demonstrate how it would apply in the "real world".
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2012, 07:38 PM   #57
ramenboy
Dojo: midwest aikido center
Location: chicago
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 347
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

Quote:
Kenneth Hannah wrote: View Post
I often inform the individuals when and where we are training and at what time. I feel it is easier to show than explain. . .
i always remember that as shibata sensei's response years ago.

He basically said just that. '... Hard to explain. I'll show you on the mat...'

practice hard
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 01:15 PM   #58
Edgecrusher
 
Edgecrusher's Avatar
Dojo: Tampa, FL
Location: Tampa, Florida
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 86
United_States
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

Quote:
Jerome Cervantes wrote: View Post
i always remember that as shibata sensei's response years ago.

He basically said just that. '... Hard to explain. I'll show you on the mat...'
Fair enough, does it really matter whom said what? I would go blind reading every letter on this particular thread. Thanks for the kind info.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 08:55 PM   #59
ramenboy
Dojo: midwest aikido center
Location: chicago
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 347
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

Quote:
Kenneth Hannah wrote: View Post
Fair enough, does it really matter whom said what? I would go blind reading every letter on this particular thread. Thanks for the kind info.
Huh?

practice hard
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2012, 06:17 AM   #60
Edgecrusher
 
Edgecrusher's Avatar
Dojo: Tampa, FL
Location: Tampa, Florida
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 86
United_States
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

Quote:
Jerome Cervantes wrote: View Post
Huh?
I must have miss read your response, no harm, no foul. I apologize.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2012, 06:54 AM   #61
genin
Location: southwest
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 103
United_States
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

I'm usually like, "You know Steven Seagal?....It's what he does."
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2012, 06:05 PM   #62
Anthony Loeppert
Dojo: Aikido of Del Mar
Location: San Diego, CA
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 155
United_States
Offline
Re: how do you describe Aikido to people?

The art/science of off balancing an opponent while keeping one's own balance and minimizing expended energy.
  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Yoshinkai - Beyond the "Hard Style" Label Susan Dalton Columns 8 11-16-2011 06:53 AM
Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation 20 Peter Goldsbury Columns 22 10-20-2011 10:28 PM
Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation 18 Peter Goldsbury Columns 187 09-08-2011 02:41 PM
YouTube: Golden Center Sword graham christian General 121 12-11-2010 06:37 AM
Baseline skillset eyrie Non-Aikido Martial Traditions 1633 05-23-2008 01:35 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:15 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
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate