The word Aikido is made up of three Japanese characters

合 Ai to harmonize
気 Ki universal life energy
道 Do the way

Aikido is a non-competitive martial art that promotes non-violent resolution of conflict. It is sometimes called the Art of Nonresistance or the Art of Peace. Aikido is a self-defense practice that promotes the awareness of being in harmony rather than conflict with ones opponent. Aikido teaches you to be more aware of your surroundings, pay attention to your bodys movements, and to use your body to move with physical confrontation instead of against it. By moving with conflict, you are able to sidestep it.

The movements of Aikido emphasize a flowing flexibility while maintaining a balanced center. One trains to build self-defense skills, compassion, respect for others and self, increased mental and physical stamina, and inner peace. Aikido practice requires rigorous mental discipline and strict adherence to a code of etiquette.

The Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), lovingly called O'Sensei or Great Teacher, studied many forms of martial arts in his native country Japan. In all of these disciplines he found competition as a basis for practice where the winners were filled with temporary glory and the losers felt deep humiliation after defeat.

With his strong foundation in martial discipline and spiritual learning, O'Sensei began to seek unifying principles in practice to bring people together as one family. O'Sensei felt that Ki is the maternal source that affects delicate changes in breath, that both Ki and breath, interact and interpenetrate all life.

There are several different styles of Aikido, each reflecting the particular emphasis of the Founders first generation of disciples. Accordingly, there are hundreds of Aikido organizations throughout the world. Aikido World headquarters is located in the Hombu dojo in Tokyo, Japan. The current head (doshu) of the Aikikai is Moriteru Ueshiba, son of the second doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba (1960 to 1999). Moriteru is expected to be succeeded as doshu by his son, Mitsuteru Ueshiba.

A major teaching style evolved from Ueshibas retirement in Iwama, Ibaraki, and the teaching methodology of long-term student Morihito Saito. Although Iwama style practitioners remained part of the Aikikai until Saito’s death in 2002, followers of Saito subsequently split into two groups; one group remained with the Aikikai Headquarters in Hombu and the other forming the independent organization of Shinshin Aikishuren Kai, in 2004, around Saito’s son, Hitohiro Saito.
At this time Aikido is enthusiastically practiced by approximately 1.5 million people throughout the world.