Aikido is the Japanese martial art, created by Morihei Ueshiba (which is often named by «O-Sensey» or «Great Teacher»). At cleanly physical level is an art, including in itself throws and pain controls, taken from jujitsu, and also techniques with a weapon, taken from Kenjutsu and Sojucu. The techniques of Aikido consist not of that beat opponents hands or feet, and rather in that, using their own energy, take them under control and cast aside from itself. Aikido is not a static art, it does a large accent on motion and dynamics.

At more near study, people, engaged in Aikido, will find in Aikido that they search: be that technique of self-defence, spiritual brightening, physical health or peace of mind. O-Sensey strongly emphasized to the moral and spiritual aspects of this art, doing basic support on development of harmony and peace. «Way of harmony of spirit» is one of possible variants of translation of word «Aikido». And today it's still topically for Aikido, in spite of the fact that different styles accent attention on spiritual aspects in a greater or less degree. And although the idea of martial art, aspiring to the peace and harmony, can seem paradoxical, nevertheless, it remains the most basic principle of this art.

We would try briefly classify Aikido, but this business is quite ungrateful, therefore we abandon that people which want to practice or already practice Aikido, independently without some preconceived opinions to find out, what Aikido is.

DIFFERENT STYLES of AYKIDO

There are not «styles» in Aikido. It is the curd baked pudding however. You can cut it on three-cornered or square pieces, and can simply dig up it a fork, but however it will be the curd baked pudding!

One man initially created Aikido, O-Sensey. Many students, gettings busy for him, decided to diffuse their knowledge of Aikido, opening it own Dojo. Due to dynamic nature of Aikido, the different students of O-Sensey interpreted his Aikido in number of different ways. Different styles of Aikido appeared hereupon. The most widespread from them transferred below. There you will also find short-story explanation that, what in these styles are different. Every style has the weak and strong sides, but all of them leave roots in fundamental conceptions, which does Aikido an unique art. None of styles can be considered better or worse than some other. A man must find style which befits him most of all. Regardless of what style you'll choose, an instructor will teach you his own interpretation of this style, and you should develop your personal Aikido. Could say, that different styles of Aikido are so much, how many people, which are practicing it.

As making a complete list of styles and directions of Aikido would demand to do the large enough volume of additional work, we will be limited only enumeration of those styles which conduct the genealogy directly from Morihei Ueshiba.