aikido worth taking?

[Guest]

Originally posted by Typhoon
Hey if he wants to take aikido dont discourage him! I really dont know much about the system but in my belife is that any system is good for training in cause you get a feel for other martial arts. But if you have only done bjj and muy thati for a very short time I would suggest staying with it a while longer a few months in them wont make you a good fighter

No one said he shouldn't do what he wants, but he asked if we thought it was worth taking. It ain't.

[Michael Neal]

Aikido is definately worth taking but it depends on the school. Don't let the people here make the decision for you because they likely no nothing or little about it. Especially the guys who took a few months of it and got frustrated because they could not do it.

There are some really good Aikido schools out there that focus on the martial arts aspect of it rather than spirituality, do some work visiteing different schools and find the right place for you.

[Lost Ronin]

Well man, I'm gonna be straight forward with you. The aikido that you see in the movies is not the same Aikido that is taught in most schools. You see, Aikido focuses on controlling an attacker and restraining him with as little force as possible. This sounds real good theoretically, I emphasize theoretically , because this sort of attitude is limited. Not only is the art extremely defensive, most schools do not encourage competition, (i.e. sparring) so you don't really get to use any of what you learn against real resistance. Think of it this way, you do bjj, so do I, when we wanna practice techniques we roll and try to get submission holds on each other. Aikido people don't train this way, most of their training is done in pre arranged sets. You don't develop any combative attributes this way. I might get flamed for this but that's okay, because I respect the opinions of everybody who posted and I expect the same treatment. Don't take my word for it, go to the Aikido school and watch closely, try to spar with one of the guys at the school, you'll know what I mean.

[bbbb]

Well man, I'm gonna be straight forward with you. The aikido that you see in the movies is not the same Aikido that is taught in most schools. You see, Aikido focuses on controlling an attacker and restraining him with as little force as possible. This sounds real good theoretically, I emphasize theoretically , because this sort of attitude is limited. Not only is the art extremely defensive, most schools do not encourage competition, (i.e. sparring) so you don't really get to use any of what you learn against real resistance. Think of it this way, you do bjj, so do I, when we wanna practice techniques we roll and try to get submission holds on each other. Aikido people don't train this way, most of their training is done in pre arranged sets. You don't develop any combative attributes this way. I might get flamed for this but that's okay, because I respect the opinions of everybody who posted and I expect the same treatment. Don't take my word for it, go to the Aikido school and watch closely, try to spar with one of the guys at the school, you'll know what I mean.

! What I want to know is why some martial art's do not spar...?

Possibly they don't want to teach you how to start!?

[Sensei Saki]

Better not tell you now.

Ask John Lennon
if it is.Who does "they" refer to?

[EmptyneSs]

if u doing mt and ju jitsu u have hand to hand combat covered pretty well. take a weapons art for your 3rd. take like a good stick and knife martial art. learn to be real good with a blade. take like kali or some shit.

[LoneHusky]

do some firearms training instead.

[kiddbjj]

i agree, aikido really has limited application. they don't spar, and even when they do the free attack portion of their training where multiple opponents/partners attack one at a time they take a big running start at the guy in the middle and only attack with one strike. in other words its always "your the attacker and i'll be the defender", rather than both people just going at it.
there's a reason why most instructors always demonstrate their technique with the same uke, its because they know how they move and are comfortable doing there technique cleanly with that person.
i knew a guy that was a bouncer, quite a big bloke, who went to learn aikido. he said that the instructor was unable to do most of the techniques on him especially the wrist and arm locks because he stood his ground and kept balanced (without being a smart ass, not trying to show the guy up). he left quite dissapointed with the whole thing.

[shadowkiller]

If your interested in Self Defense, then no.

Do you know what aikido is? Its a system developed for only defence. There are no attacking moves. Its a rather cool system, Only been doing it for a few months but it has improved my balance and the "philosphy" is very interesting as well. It is a lifelong martial science, but you would be nearly unstoppable after doing it for a few years.

My sensei is only a 3rd degree and he amazes me, he is like 120 lbs, so fast and powerful. THe movements are all based on human body physics coupled with gravity. So you dont use very much energy doing multiple techniques.

[cam427]

I have studied Aikido for several years and can tell you that it is effective but only when taught correctly.

Unfortunately there is no sparring which I dont like. The number of techniques taught is deliberately limited so you really master a few very good moves. Also, my balance, foot work and ability to move (correctly) improved dramatically from Aikido. I find I have this advantage over many others when sparring now.

Unfortunately most clubs teach it VERY badly. In many clubs it is taught almost as a dance with some chi "tricks" thrown in which is completely useless.

My advice would be to go and try it. If the instructor tries to show you how powerful his chi is or tricks he can do then you should just forget it. Chi is not a magical thing, it is just intense focus and concentration that comes from doing techniques correctly so the best way to get it is to train correctly (like a pro athlete). Also if it is too soft it is crap, The senior guys should be throwing each other (but not you) hard.

Best of Luck
Cam

[Da' Don]

I read your message and here in dallas is a terrific dojo that teaches mainly aikido and also thai boxing, and they incorporate grappling as well, and the students seem to be very well rounded, so in answer to your question ?
Yes ! go for it !
Da Don'

[Da' Don]

This guy is an idiot !

[JaredExtreme]

Aikido sucks. I usually try to put more substance in my posts, but really that's all that there is to say.

[Tom Yum]

Aikido

Aikido is great for non violent de-escalation. There are great techniques for pulling your opponent off balance, locking at the wrist, elbow, shoulder and also head. All of the techniques are about leverage, using your opponents momentum to set him up and lock him or trip him up.

It would be a great art for security people or those who are pacifists. I can't see it working against a street tough or another martial artist. Street tough dudes are pretty good instinctive fighters.

Otherwise, I would recommend jujitsu.

[villrg0a]

Yes

Aikido is all about self defense. I have been a JKD and Combat Karate practitioner, and I could clearly see the difference. In aikido, they dont engage they simly vanish from the line of attack and controls opponent.

In aikido you have a choice, a choice to live and a choice not to kill. If you're occupation calls for more combat say you are in the army, then you need a more agressive MA in my opinion, otherwise aikido is just perfect for city or normal everyday life.

If you're into sports, then take up karate or TKD - there your skills can be tested.