AIKIDO SOUTH AFRICA
Energy in Paarl

What is AikidoMost martial arts focus on the application of forceful energy to injure or subdue. Tournaments in Aikido are non-existent.  Instead the clear presentation of the techniques, presence and calmness of bearing are important. In Aikido one blends with the force of the attacker - never to confront it directly or clash with it. Aikido is most effective, especially against opponents who are superior in size and strength. No matter how strong or how much resistance you are confronted with, a martial artist searching to enhance his current art through aikido, a police man in the line of duty, and general physical well-being while reducing stress levels.Is Aikido for me?If you are a women  interested in self defense, timing, reflexes, your techniques will still be effective.  Benefits of AikidoPeople find Aikido also a method for improving their coordination, or interested in an effective self defense skill  - then Aikido is for you!!.

The strict technical and martial requirements of Fujimoto Shihan was transferred over many years of studying under his guidance to his resident student, Sensei Elroy Goliath (4th Dan) and ensures the highest quality of Aikido teachings to its students in South Africa (read a final interview with Shihan Fujimoto about his life in aikido). It dedicates itself to raising and maintaining the quality and standard of Aikido teaching in South Africa at its highest level, and on par with the best in the world. Classes are designed around children, youths and adults with Seminars being held on a frequent basis to support members technically, including formalised instructors courses. Aikido has previously and for decades been delimited in its exposure to only selected groups in the country, which now is changing towards a more inclusive martial art offered to the broader community in South Africa. Ueshiba also immersed himself in universal socio-political harmony. Aikido is primarily a self defense martial art and has as one of its philosophical pillars the notion of being in harmony with your attacker rather than being in conflict with them. As we learn the movements of this martial art, we will, at the same time, train our minds, improve our health and develop self-confidence. Through the physical practice of the self-defense techniques, the Aikidoka comes to appreciate and understand the mental, physical and functional aspects of Aikido. During practice sessions, partners work in harmony with each other, learning when and how to yield, how to lead and guide another person’s movements and how to control an opponent through non-resistive techniques. During an Aikido class, students practice techniques for blending with and neutralizing punches, grabs, and other assaults. This training develops balance, flexibility and coordination, as well as concentration and self-confidence in the face of an attack. Because Aikido philosophy promotes harmony and non-conflict, tournaments in Aikido are non-existent. They have to do with developing spiritual awareness, mental and emotional calmness as well as strength and physical health. Non-discrimination and non-exclusiveness are basic characteristics of Aikido and the ASA values. As in the case of young people and older practitioners, women are not subjects of any kind of discrimination. Where many other martial arts focus on the application of direct and forceful energy to injure or even kill an attacker, the focus of Aikido is to blend with the energy of your attacker, never to confront it directly or clash with it. Although certain general movements and technical applications in aikido have been drAikido Bloubergstrandawn from sword and spear fighting, as well as from various ancient schools of Jujutsu and Aikijutsu, they have been expanded and developed with certain unique additions and modifications made so that Aikido cannot easily be confused with any other art. Freedom and spontaneity in spherical movement are characteristic of the techniques of Aikido. Despite the fact that Aikido teaches vigorous techniques such as strikes (atemi) and wrist holds inherited from ancient fighting arts, the emphasis on sperical rotation gives the visual impression of a smoothly flowing art, refined and delicate. And at the same time the opponent’s center is disturbed, and when he loses his center, he also loses all power. The Aikido student must devote the major part of his/her training to mastering the techniques of spherical rotation, and through constant training study the basic principles involved. In movement he or she becomes like a spinning top, stable in the center, never losing balance. Over a period of time one begin to realise that no matter how strong or how much resistance confronts you, your techniques will still be effective. The confidence that develops as one train, will then begin to radiate.