your oppinion about Aikido

[Jerik]

Hello people.

I am thinking of starting up Aikido, especially vs. unwilling opponents, i know Aikidokas dont challenge, but they en be attacked by others, just want to know if Aikido is a good Self-Defence.

[TracyKarate]

I would ask the instructor for a private lesson, that way you can see what he has to offer, how good he is, and discuss your goals and expectations. Every school is different regardless of style so conduct your own research.

[AikidoKevin]

i also posted this in the other section where you asked me originally.


Aikido works well against stronger (physically) people, Aikido is based on kenjutsu(sword)Movement, and joint locks and pressure points from Diato ryu Aiki Jujutsu. Its all about how you move you body and at what time you move your body that will keep you from being run down and unable to execute a technique. Any person no matter how large they are, feels pain and when a person commits himself to an attack and you can move the right way and at the right time, youve got one of the hardest parts of Aikido training but you only almost there! understanding the locks/pins/throws, and if you have a good teacher the Atemi points (striking) takes some time and alot of pratice. after a while in Aikido you start to understand how it works and you will be able to take the classical techniques you learn in class and use them as a modern street effective self defense. but it does take considerable time. problably in a year or two in karate, tae kwon do, judo, and some others, youll be a much better puncher/kicker and have more awarness than before. but in Aikido it WILL take you a bit longer, but the wait is worth it. when you understand how it works your limitless on technique. Aikido has no number of technique. I myself am 5'9" 155lbs and i work out everyday so im average size and i have decent amount of strength, but far from body builder or Hercules Status, but i train with a guy who is 6'4" 240lbs and is a body builder. i can easily throw him once he commits to an attack. but if im off in judging his movements and timing it becomes a physical battle and that im sure to lose.

As far has against other martial arts, it really does depend on how well you understand how Aikido works, everything has to be fluient and smooth if you do a technique in steps (first this, now this , ooh and this now) it wont work agianst Any MA. I myself have done some jujutsu, which i found to be one of, if not the best ground based arts around. Aikido in its advanced stages has pins and locks you can use in these situations in early stages in your trainging you might even pick them up on your own, it is then you will realize your Aikido is developing as it should, alot of parts of Aikido wil be up to you to figure out, which is great and will really suck you in an make you want more.

no one martial art is the best its how well you understand and use it. Ive trianed with some of my areas best Karate teachers and learned their kicks and stricks but i find the defensive parts of it lacking as .. it hurts.. some blocks in karate Hurt! i personally didnt like them. but the offessive tech is good. Jujutsu i liked alot i still do some just not to often, i find it works great with Aikido and they are technically(meaning technique based) almost the same, alot of the locks in Aikido are the same as the its jujutsu father..

go for it try it out and see if you like it. If you want a slightly more physical/combative Aikido id suggest the Nihon Goshin Aikido System, i dont know where your located but most of the schools are on the east coast of the US in the NJ/Ny area..

[JaredExtreme]

Well, I seen a few aikido classes, and I have a mixed opinion on them. First of all, I think the wrist and joint locks are great. I did some of them while in karate, and they really worked. But, if you're looking for a martial art only for self defense, aikido may not be the best option. From what I've seen (and I could be wrong) there's no sparring in Aikido, all the drills I saw the partners were co-operating 100% with each other. Also, I think Aikido could be more effective. Instead of just getting a wrist lock then leading/throwing them to the ground, why not include a few hits to the throat or a groinkick? Like I said, I'm no expert in Aikido, so I could be wrong about some of this stuff, but I think there are better martial arts to learn for self-defense.

[Jerik]

"why not include a few hits to the throat or a groinkick"

Your right in this, i thought about such actions myself, and i think its easy to build in some hits or kicks.

Note: its not the way of the Aikidoka to hurt his attacker, thats why those actions are taken out.

I also think its enough for the attacker when he sees that his actions are useless and he gets thrown all the time.

[Bond]

Aikido is a semi resistance style, which concentrates on outside throws and locks.Some of which are good to know because they are not taught in Judo due to the danger element. A couple can break bones very easily . I would not rely on it though. A skilled grappler would likely counter most of the techniques in a "ready to rumble" mode. And I disgree with the above posters comments about it being good for facing stronger opponents- On the contrary, many of the takedowns and locks ar FAR better off being used on weaker oppnents. One can control a weak opponent with little skills usng Aikido VERY effectively. The "Do u Give up" arm twist is my favorite. If your opponent is strong and skilled, you would be better off with BJJ & Judo training

[AikidoKevin]

the reason you see Aikidoka co-operating is because simply put you have too. the uke(attacker) has to be loose and go with the motion he or she is being thrown or else those techs that look simple result in broken bones, and some such as irmi nage can kill if the uke doesnt go withthe attack. i agree they should use som eforce and not let go as soon as you try a tech, but as soon as it hurts you must let go. The tech irminage if done on an attacker and they commit full force and they dont know to pull out at the second the attack is turned over will have a broken neck. the techs are the same as jujutsu, if you apply pressure the joint will break. in Aikido we do a randori, a multiple attack freestyle that keeps you in touch with how it will work in the real world. One of Aikidos strongest points is the use of it with multiple attackers. Randori is SUPPOSED to be done full power. i have to ammit some schools arent doing it real world or full power, but thats why you have to find good teacher. in the advanced levels they will get into punches kicks and all the stuff you are talking about it just takes time to get the feel of aikido and how there is no number on techs is infinite..

[AikidoKevin]

not true bond, the stronger they are the more resistance they provide and Aikido strives on more resistance, the more they resist they easier the joint will break, the pressure from a pin gets greater as they try to lift out of it. However with an inexperienced aikidoka the tech can be broken out of if they dont know the reversals, and reversals to the reversals, true aikido traing doesnt even start till yo ureach shodan, you are considered a guest of the dojo till you reach tis level and you learn the technical steps the technique, when you reach shodan you begin to be opened up the the fluidness of the techs and how you blend and blend all techs together. When i do private training with my teacher i grab and punch as hard as i can and it hurts MORE when i use strength. youll here alot in an Aikido class "did you use strength" "dont" and it goes for both the person attacking and the person being attacked. It truley is something you have to commit to if you want to be sucessfull using it, but the rewrds are great.

[AikidoKevin]

Jerik,
where are you located, if you in my area i invite you to come to a class and try it out for a week in both a regualr class and a private session if you like,

a good sight about Aikido is www.aikidofaq.com

and the best Aikido messsage board is www.stevenseagal.com

[Bond]

Aikido Kevin- Its obvious by your screename your into Aikido- which is cool. Thats your choice- However- until I see an Aikido master win just ONE major MMA or NHB comp I will go about my business- Ive rolled full resistance with Blackbelts in Aikido- Aikido has its strong points- It also is limited . These days many of BJJs strategies have become part of other styles . Recently I saw Aikido people drilling some techniques that were right out of a BJJ basics class in addition to classic Aikido drills they normally do. Not coincidentally , the instructor trained in BJJ .
From what ive seen, Steven Segal is a great Aikido practicioner- in many of his movies he breaks peoples bones at will. He even broke Sean Connerys hand when he was practicing with him. Connery is no slouch eiher- He almost beat the Kurgan- who outwieghed him by about 50 lbs. His ninjitsu arts are even more fluid- as he was able to fake his head being chopped off , and so escape the sene unscathed.

[mushinmaster]

No one teacher or system or way is going to fit you specifically. You might work well with some Akido stuff, and be able to use it effectivly. You might do some other aikido stuff for fifty years and never see how it is useful or be able to apply it.

Personally I like the philosophy of aikido and some of the more simple, effective, and cruel techniques.

I wouldn't put all my marbles into it though...

[AikidoKevin]

I agree 100% that no one art is the best por complete. but if you practice in any art long and hard enough to understand how it can be used for all situations it can be used. of course some systems will have a more effective tech for each type of situation, but each art has a tech you cna use in almost any situation, its how the practioner uses there skills and how they can adapt to each situation. As far as some Aikido looking like BJJ, well BJJ didnt just come from nowhere, it came from Jujutsu and so did Aikido, that where some tech look the same. its also great somone found a way to blend BJJ and Aikido together, i too practice jujutsu and it blends perfectly with my Aikido. ANd recently ive begun some Shotokan Karate to learn stronger punches and kick, the stronger punches to the points Aikido teaches are a great blend, and the very few kicks we have in Aikido i will make them stronger with the karate. So im stil lusing Aikido has my base buit im usiong the other strong arts to complitment it. so i dont feel Aikido is the only way , i just feel sits a good way and is very adaptable depending on how you wish to use it.

[Jerik]

Originally posted by AikidoKevin
if you practice in any art long and hard enough to understand how it can be used for all situations it can be used. [/B]

That is exactly the point of any Martial Art.