Before practicing a martial art as humble, graceful and disciplined as Aikido, one must first understand the meaning and purpose behind its philosophy.

The truth is that the origin of Aikido was not founded simply as a martial art; it was, and still is, a way of life. Only those who are dedicated to the teachings upheld by Shin-Gane will have the aptitude to succeed.

 

What is Aikido?

Unlike many martial arts that employ violent, sometimes harsh techniques, Aikido is a Japanese art form that embraces various methods of self defense. It is the general belief of all Aikidoka — those who actively practice Aikido — that no harm should be committed upon another living being unless absolutely necessary. Staying true to this ideology, “Aikido,” in its Japanese dialect, translates to: harmony (ai), spirit/energy (ki) and path (do).

 

Who created Aikido?

The origin of Aikido began with Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th Century. Although its official name would not be coined until nearly 20 years following its inception, Aikido was ultimately born from the inspiration Ueshiba gleaned from his mentor, Takeda Sokaku, in combination with his enlightenment achieved through Budo and experiences with Omoto-kyo.

 

How does Aikido work?

There are many reasons that Aikido is considered the most effective form of martial arts. From Shin-Gane’s perspective, we view Aikido as the most intelligent martial art. Mastery of Aikido relies upon the observation of an assailant, followed by making a quick decision as to how to best diffuse an aggressive situation.

The key principle of Aikido involves the redirection of an attacker’s energy. Instead of allowing his/her power to inflict harm, his/her momentum can be rerouted in a way that renders this energy useless or even beneficial to the victim.

Keeping this in mind, it is important to note that the effectiveness of Aikido is not hindered by the physical size or strength of an assailant. In fact, the larger the opponent is, the more momentum he/she will generate, thus providing more energy for Aikido to reign victorious.

 

The next step…

Now that you know a bit about how Aikido came to be and why it is such an influential martial art, why not take your education a step further? The Shin-Gane St. Louis Aikido Dojo is open to all who are serious about pursuing the teachings of Aikido.

To get started, fill out this contact form. New students are also invited to call using the phone number in the top right corner of this page to schedule their first free introductory class; this is a great opportunity for those who prefer to observe a session before signing up for training. Classes are held twice a week in the evening to ensure that your pursuit of Aikido does not interrupt work or school activities.

Finally, you are welcome to like Shin-Gane on Facebook. We plan to keep this new page updated with the latest information, articles and photos regarding Shin-Gane and the St. Louis Aikido Dojo.

Thank you for reading. We look forward to working with you!