Does aikido in its current format work?

Have you ever tried an Aikido technique and found that it didn't work? If so don't be fooled into thinking it's because you're poo. It is because without a reason for perfoming a technique, there is no reason to perform it. I think that Aikidoka should break the cycle of failure and learn SPORT AIKIDO.

SPORT AIKIDO IS FOR YOU

Sport Aikido has the following principles:

1. Attack is better than defence.

2. Surprise gives you a big advantage. Surprise your opponents by attacking them before they even know who you are! Critics say that this is just a form of thuggery as it generally involves assaulting complete strangers in the street. The criticism is valid, so far as it goes, but it illustrates too how the Sports Aikido master always stays one move ahead in the game. He attacks not only his enemies, but also those who may one day become his enemies. And indeed, over time, almost all of those attacked do become enemies!

3. Ignore those who say Aikidoka shouldn't use muscle. These individuals are weedy nerds who can't pull girls. Pump weights, get tough and get hot chicks!

4. Forget techniques that don't work. Thats why Sports Aikido Style resembles a mix of Thai Boxing, Judo, Boxing, BJJ and KyuKushin Kai Karate!

5. Competition is important to Sports Aikido. Chicks dig guys with a big trophy.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shodokan

 

Shodokan doesn't allow punches to the head. However, its practitioners are taught how to shank an unarmed opponent which has its uses.

 

6. Integrate "leg skill" into the system.

 

Why should we take sport aikido instead of a mix of thai boxing, boxing, judo and bjj? I don't mean to come off confrontational-like, I'm just wondering what's unique about the system?

 

This can be applied to ANY martial art.

Besides, there is a 50/50 chance that the practitioner IS poo.

 

Comedy post?

 

There was a brilliant video that restored my faith in aikido, two Aikidoka wearing helmets and whacking each other whilst trying to get throws in, it made me cry with happiness.

 

That sounds soooo much like what Morihei Ueshiba was talking about!! You somehow managed to understand O'sensei's teaching on a level higher than all current masters!!

:ban:

The Shodokan is pretty awesome. If I can find a club close by I'll try and incorporate Aikido into my training, they have some wicked mean wrist locks I'd like to learn.

 

I can't see any video :cry:

 

This sounds AWESOME! Can you point me to the nearest dojo??

 

It was on another thread and I don't think I can find it again. It's in the "Good Aikido videos thread".

 

The simple answer is WHO's Aikido are you asking about? there is no such thing as one single system of Aikido anymore. Some styles have developed/evolved/changed so much that they are almost completely different arts in terms of principles form other Aikido schools.

 

The very first lesson in Traditional Aikido as written in Budo is for Nage/Tori to Initiate the attack NOT to wait for uke to attack. this is a very important Budo principle to get out of the mind-set of being a victim. there is ALOT of Attacking in Aikido from both sides of the story

 

I looked for the video, I couldn't find it :/

 

More often than not though, that is exactly the issue.

If a technique does not work you are probably doing it wrong.

 

Is this it?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spPNWKtcYo0&list=FLvXzCYBsfHPdpaCqAYETefA&index=24"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spPNWKtcYo0&list=FLvXzCYBsfHPdpaCqAYETefA&index=24[/ame]

 

THAT'S THE ONE!



Yes, in terms of pure fighting it's probably still not great, but it's x9000 times better than most of the stuff Youtube shows.

 

agreed.

also, i see aikido less as a collection of techniques and more as a collection of principles. when i practiced, i tended to think of the pillars of aikido as laid out by m. ueshiba in "the essence iof aikido: spiritual teachings of morihei ueshiba". the first part of the book is all spiritual stuff, which i could take or leave.

the second part, is all principles as applied to technique, specifically the pillars. the second best thing about that book? iwama pictures with saito.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Essence-Aikido-Spiritual-Teachings/dp/477002357X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1370439560&sr=8-3&keywords=morihei+ueshiba"]The Essence of Aikido: Spiritual Teachings of Morihei Ueshiba: Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens: 9784770023575: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]


aikido is actually an amazing martial art. i went from aikido to bjj and still have the utmost respect for the art. i can see how someone that does mma/bjj/whatever would think aikido is a joke if they've never done it.

 

love this. thank you.