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    Jiu-jitsu Vs. Aikido

    What Is Akido

    Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido is oftentimes translated as "the way of unifying life energy" or as "the way if harmonious spirit".

    The underlying goal of Aikido is to protect your self while mitigating injury to your assailiant.

    Basic Philosophy of Aikido

    The word Aikido itself holds clues into this martial arts basic philosophy.
    Ai - joining, unifying, combining, fitting
    Ki - spirit, energy, mood, morale
    do - way, path
    From a literal interpretation, Aikido means the "Way of combining forces".

    Similarities between Aikido & Jiu-Jitsu

    Aikido like Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling heavy martial arts that places a heavy emphasis on safetly subduing your attacker. Both martial arts pursue controlled relaxation, fluid movement of joints like your hips and shoulders and relies on endurance and flexibility.

    Also, like jiu-jitsu there are a lot of basic circular movements. Both martial arts believe in harmony, rather than confrontation. Aikido take an aggressive linear attack and converts it into a circular motion that neutralizes the attacker.

    Differences Between Aikido & Jiu-Jitsu

    Aikido doesnt have live sparring sessions or tournaments

    Aikido techniques are practiced as a self defense from a linear attack.

    Unlike jiu-jitsu Aikido training is centered around partners rehearsing a set of pre-arranged forms rather than sparring or any freestyle type practice.

    The other major difference between the two martial arts is Aikido is not a competitive art form. Jiu-jitsu can be used in competition and as a result has continue to grow in relevance. Whereas Aikido isn't and testing your skill set against a resiting opponent is difficult.

    Aikido is completly reactive

    Common Basic Attacks:
    Front of the head strike - consist of a vertical knifehand strike to the head.
    Side of the head strike - a diagonal knifehand strike to the side of the head or neck
    Chest thrust - a punch to the torso
    Face thrust - a punch to the face

    While Aikido is centered around reacting to strikes jiu-jitsu offers a bit more offense to the martial arts practioner. Traditional jiu-jitsu has some basic strikes along with an emphasis on taking the fight to the ground and utilizing pressure or attaining a dominant position to set up submissions.

    Jiu-jitsu has several submissions which can be used both offensively and defensively like joint locks, heel hooks, chokes and strangles.

    People question its effectiveness


    Its fairly safe to say people question Aikidos effectiveness both in a self defense situation and a sport combat application. I'm sure you've been on youtube recently and have seen the Aikido guy trying to spar with MMA fighters. It hasn't gone so well for him.

    However, jiu-jitsu's effectiveness has been proven time and time again. For example, the gracie challenge was an open invitation issued by members of the famous Brazilian Gracie family known for their jiu jitsu mastery. It stated to all other martial artist of various style to fight them in a vale tudo match. They did this to solidify the effectiveness of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

    No one in the Aikido discipline has ever been able to do this. Nor any other traditional martial art.

    Learn More About Aikido
    Aikido Belts

    Originally went Aikido arrived it Europe it had two colored belts White and Black. But it was difficult to implement.

    In many Western Aikido schools the belt system is similar to this structure:

    6th kyu – white
    5th kyu – yellow
    4th kyu – orange
    3rd kyu – blue
    2nd kyu – brown
    1st dan – black
    2nd dan – black with thin gold stripe
    3rd dan – black with red stripe

    Does Aikido Work?

    Aikido works in the gym when both parties are cooperating and can help in some self defense applications. However, as a combat sport it is not effective.


    Aikido Fighting Style

    Aikido is a modern japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a result of his philosophy studies, religious belieffs and culmination of his total martial arts studies. Aikido focuses on: irmi (entering), and tenkan (turning) movements.



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