An Introduction to Aikido
Aikido is great self defence and also good for keeping fit. When we practice Aikido we wear a white suit called a 'gi'. Aikido also practices how to use weapons, but we learn with wooden replicas for obvious safety reasons!
The following introduction to Aikido was extracted from the website: http://www.aikidofaq.com
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to by his title 'O Sensei' or 'Great Teacher'), pictured below. On a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement.