Spirit of Aikido

The word "Aikido" proves insightful and gives us a sense of what this art is about.

"Ai" comes from the Japanese "to coordinate" with "ki" being "breath control", & "do" meaning "way". Or, (ai) "to join, receive + (ki) spirit, force + (do) way.

In other words, as this Japanese art of self-defense has been described, Aikido is "way of adapting the spirit". You may ask: adapting the spirit for what? Well, in this regard we may say of Aikido it can been used a way to seek enlightenment, resolve conflict, develop character, or improve the quality of life. A way of utilizing energy that may otherways be detrimental to oneself as well as harmful to others.

This "way" is very much demonstrated in Aikido its attempt to receive an attack and safely redirect it, leaving both the defender and the attacker unharmed.

Indeed, it has been said of Aikido, it is an art of peace, not fighting, with the object being to act from a place of calm to restore peace where it is threatened.