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?