Aikido is a Japanese Budo (martial art) that was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969) early last century based on traditional Jujutsu and Kenjutu.

Budo emerged from the art of combat practiced by the Japanese warrior class (Samurai) over five to six hundred years ago. Its aim was to kill one’s opponent and survive in the battle field. Four to five hundred years ago, Samurai lived very close to death and war was a constant affair in Feudal Japan.

About 400 years ago, peace prevailed in Feudal Japan when the Tokugawa clan unified Japan and established a military government. Under this new society, the Samurai class, who were only 10% of the total population, governed Japan. They still practiced the art of killing, even though the killing had ended. Today, in our society, we do not face death as immediately as in the past, and killing is not accepted. Why, then, would you want to study the art of combat?

Through hundreds of years, while practicing the art of killing in peace time, the Japanese Samurai class developed a process of fostering young Samurai and developing their characters to be leaders through a process of practice. The art of combat has been transformed into a process of developing human characters as leaders.

We can adopt this process in this society today. The development of self-discipline and self-awareness, as well as the maturation of critical decision-making skills even under stressful conditions, are as applicable to modern life as they were for feudal warriors. The learning style of the art of combat and its transmission is from teacher to student. Students learn this art by practicing it every day, not from reading about it. It is visual and action based and not based on verbal and written instructions. Students learn to watch and do. This process stimulates the right side of one’s brain.

The right brain is said to function to preside over inspirations, creativity, invention, etc., and it does not follow verbal and written instructions and procedures. Those are works of the left brain. When both sides of the brain are balanced, we can experience a much higher level of life as human beings. Unfortunately, development of the left brain is overemphasized these days. Society demands people who can follow instructions and procedures to be productive and to maintain order. However, leaders, such as managers and corporate executives, should not just follow procedures. They have to create and come up with new and different ideas that are not based solely on the accumulation of past experiences. They must have inspiration. Practicing Aikido, and other action based activities, helps this. We can achieve this in Aikido without competing with others.

While learning forms, students also learn formality, respect, harmony, and compassion. First, we learn the unification of the body. Then, unification of body and mind becomes possible. Once we have control over our body and mind (which takes a long time), we harmonize with our partners, and then, expand this to our environments. Ultimately, we can realize the unification of our being with the universe, which the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, reached.

Aikido is not the goal in itself. Aikido is a vehicle by which we can reach the higher state. Aikido stimulates inspiration to heighten your potential in this society today. Isn’t today a good day to start changing your life?