What is Aikido? Beginner Guidelines and FAQ

Reading from the book entitled Best Aikido. The Fundamentals by Kisshomaru and Moriteru Ueshiba. (2002 p.14-19) - Captured Live on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/beauty-and-aikido

Answers to questions like:

• Why are there no contests in aikido?

• Will aikido make me strong?

• Is physical condition such as weight training necessary for aikido?

• What is the nature of ki in aikido? Is it the same as chi employed in Chinese martial arts?

• When I watch people practicing aikido they seem to spin around like tops. Can such a movement really be efficient as a martial art technique?

• During aikido training how much should we resist against the application of a technique?

• Isn't it a problem to remember so many techniques? (for more about aikido terms check out my two other blog posts The Aikido Effect and to have just a bit of fun Basic Terms you Need to Know to Survive Aikido

• What is the aikido approach to etiquette? (for more about dojo ettiquette here)

• What is the most important relation between aikido training and everyday life?

The Voice of Aikido- Mirror of the Spirit: The Aikido Dojo

Another voice recording this time Chapter 17 from The Principles of Aikido by Mitsugi Saotome (1989 p.204-206)

A voice recording about ettiquette in the Dojo. It could be interesting for beginner aikidoka who do not understand how and why they have to behave in a certain manner when while training. It is also a good guideline for those who want to see more in depth the historical background that lead to the development of the dojo etiquette. All in all it is really informative, but enough about my writing and let's hear the wise words of Saotome Sensei.