Aikido

WHAT IS AIKIDO AND WHAT IS SHUGYO INTRODUCTION: 1) What is Aikido' 2) What is Shugyo' 3) Acknowledgements 4) bibliography [pic] WHAT IS AIKIDO' Most people consider Aikido to be an old-fashioned martial art. The founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1869) studied various kinds of Martial Arts and used his experience to form the techniques of Aikido. Aikido is more than just a combination of various martial art systems e.g. Yagyo Ryo, Shiyo Ryo, Kito Ryo, Daito Ryo, Shinkage Ryo etc. Aikido is not a combination of these arts. All aiki techniques are a function of Ki as mentioned by Morihei Ueshiba. [pic] As mentioned by O sensei “The essential nature of Aikido is quite different from other martial arts.” [pic] Aikido is a budo, a martial Art. Aikido is the refinement of traditional material techniques combined with a philosophy of the spirit. It is a method of combining mind and body. Aikido avoids using trickery, strength, deception and force to defeat an opponent. It is a method for us to search for the way and it enables us to develop our individual character. We have harmonized our minds and bodies with the universe and then respond to any contingency that may arise. Aikido is a training system that actually allows us to experience this. [pic] In Aikido we strive to understand the concept of “Ki” through experience and try to make this part of our everyday lives. Aikido is an art which “one” can strike the “many”. Train yourself to mindful of attacks coming from four or eight directions. [pic] WHAT IS SHUGYO' The term Shugyo means the pursuit of knowledge, studying, learning, training and discipline. “Shu” means “discipline” or “study” and “gyo” means “the arts”. Means a disciplined studied of the arts. Its purpose is to toughen the body and polish the spirit. Dojo is o place where “Do” or the “Way” is practiced. Training in Aikido is shaped by the philosophy of harmony. There are no competitions or tournaments. Emphasis is on self-mastery not on controlling others. [pic] Shugyo educational is characterized by an emphasis on the depth of knowledge, wisdom, experience and technical ability. In Shugyo the student takes on a handful of skills or forma and repeats them time and time again. Each repetition refining the skill or deepening the knowledge. The aim is total mastery over one’s object of study and oneself to the point where both subject and object disappear into a void of experience…Enlightenment.. The purpose of “Shugyo” is to forge the spirit through hard mental training. To unify the body and mind. To develop greater awareness and harmony. [pic] [pic] ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS On starting Aikido training late October in 2002. I view myself as a rough stone. Back then I was more interested in the physical and rough aspects of martial arts. I was more interested in developing my martial skills. But over time and guidance from my instructor Sensei Jimmy Georgiadis 4th dan Aikido Zen Shin Kan Dojo Mytilini, and countless seminars and trips to Athens Dojo Fukushinkan, to Sensei George Koliopoulos 6th dan Aikikai. With long discussions in and out of the Dojo with Sensei Koliopoulos. I slowly began to reach what now seems to be the tip of the ice-berg and the beginning of my journey. [pic] For now that I have achieved my shodan. I can truly say that now I am ready to begin to learn and develop. I believe I am still that rough stone only slightly smoother. [pic] I would like to extend many thanks from the bottom of my heart to Sensei Koliopoulos for bringing Aikido to Greece. His many enlightening, yet sometimes painful seminars in Mytilini. For our many chats over “beer nage”. And Sensei for making me feel always welcome in your Athens Dojo. [pic] Sensei many thanks and I look forward to many fun filled seminars together where I believe and feel I have a lot to learn and to develop into the right Aikidoka. My deepest gratitude BIBLIOGRAPHY 1) Aikido Shugyo, Harmony in Confrentation by Gozo Shioda 2) The Root Meaning of Shugyo Meditation Practice, Andrew Bowwici 3) Three Budo Masters, John Stevens 4) Aikiweb, Aikido Forums 5) What is Aikido', Doshu Kisshomura Ueshiba and Moriteru Ueshiba [pic]