Aikido is one of the many types of martial arts that have grown over time, and it keeps getting more and more people interested in it. Because more and more people think that martial arts shouldn't be used to start fights, but should instead put a lot of emphasis on movement, especially the opponent's movement, and use it against them.
Aikido has become popular and is now practised in many places around the world. Its main rule is "Don't fight force with force."
AIKIDO LESSONS CATCHED ON VIDEO
If you want to learn aikido but don't have the time or money to take classes, you could buy an aikido video. You can learn the basic rules of martial arts by buying a few aikido videos.
You can even learn how to do aikido moves and try them out in the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the best and most well-known aikido videos you can watch right now.
- The Most Important Lessons of Aikido. This aikido video shows Hikitsuchi Michio Sensei, 10th Dan, as he stays true to the "direct transmission" of aikido that he learned from Aikido's founder, Ueshiba Morihei Osensei. This aikido video is a three-volume set of professionally made videotapes with English voice-over.
Each tape was shot on location at the Aikido Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Japan. It has detailed technical instruction, exciting demonstrations, and lively discussions about the basics of Aikido. In Volume 1, Hikitsuchi Sensei shows how to practise "instantaneous aiki," and in Volume 2, he shows how to practise "kihon waza." You can buy a set of the Essential Teaching tapes for about $170–$190.
- Practical Aiki-Do - Volume 1 to Volume 5. This set of demonstrations of aikido is already on DVD. Each volume is one of the best and most complete works on Aikido. They were put together by Robert Koga, a former law enforcement instructor for the LAPD and consultant for many agencies in the US and around the world.
- The Heart of Aikido, Volumes 1 to 3. This set also has Hikitsuchi Sensei showing how the movements of a sword and a staff led to the movements of Aikido. He also knew "aiki bojutsu," which he learned from Osensei himself. More than half of the tape is spent showing how to do different Aikido moves. You can buy this autobiographical video for about $60 to $80.
Here, Sensei Koga takes the audience beyond the theory of aikido and into the real world of practical aikido by teaching techniques that can be used in everyday life. Each tape can be played for 50 to 56 minutes, and each one costs $29.95.
- Morihei Ueshiba: King of Aikido, Tape 1 to Tape 2. This series is also available in DVD format. The tapes 1 and 2 of Morihei Ueshiba: King of Aikido have exciting historical video and amazing "pre-war" footage of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, from the 1930s.
These tapes have some interesting demonstrations of techniques by O-Sensei. Each one costs $24.95 and can be played for between 60 and 65 minutes.
- Aikido. This DVD is a video about aikido. This video, which was put together by Patricia Guerri, an Aiki Bukikai 6th Dan, will show people how to master Aikido weapons. This aikido video is available in French, English, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, and Hebrew, among other languages.
As part of its Special Features, it was broken up into chapters and had interactive menus, a "making of" section, a photo gallery, certificates, and trailers. It can be bought for $29.95 and can be played for about 85 minutes.
