Concept

Higher Goals

The word "Aikido" is a compound of the words AI = "harmony", KI = "energy", and DO = "way" or "philosophy". Aikido means "way of harmony", and – as a part of the "budo system" or the martial arts – is one way of the Japanese teachings how to find and follow one’s way through life. The goal of any teaching is to actively achieve the highest form of the chosen art. The journey is the reward. When combined with the spiritual values (harmony and unity) and the intellectual skills (co-ordination and integration) as well as with the according attitude (etiquette), the daily practise is filled with direction and sense. The ideal of aikido is the unity of body, soul and spirit (ki-shin-tai), to overcome the alienation of man and nature. Never claiming that their model of the world is perfect and irrevocable, the practioners of aikido welcome the imperfections and problems they experience as an essential and necessary part of life.

The initial philosophy of aikido is influenced by taoism, confucianism, zen-buddhism, shintoism, Japanese Omoto-religion, and the Japanese bushido. As aikido philosophy is based on such a wide variety of perspectives, the practical influence in each dojo depends very much on the belief and intention of the head of the respective dojo.

"Takemusu Aiki Dojo Frankfurt" prefers a rational, humanistic approach without religious background. We are open to those aspects of the Asian culture which can be understood and practised by Western Europeans. Additionally, we integrate essential elements of Western philosophy which adress a contemporary art of living.

Modern Content

"Takemusu Aiki Dojo Frankfurt" provides a contemporary concept of aikido: to practise budo in the sense of self-determined personality development. First and foremost, aikido is a martial art. But it is also a practical philosophy, an art of living. Principles of aikido can be transfered to everyday life or professional situations. They will help to develop strategies to communicate better, solve conflicts more easily and to find holistic management solutions.

Whereas reason provides us with the ability to gain scientific knowledge and cognition, at the same time, this results in the seperation of subject and object, of body and mind. Therefore, we often feel enstranged towards the world. Aikido is a method to re-gain the feeling of unity with the help of mental, spiritual and body techniques. It is the purpose of aikido practice to use this unity for living our life in the sense of a higher ethical goal. Aikido is a way for modern souls to find a home in the world, instead of feeling alienated.

Content and methods are generally based on the following principles:

A. a two-fold view of the world

• 1. a modern and rational-empiric model of the world based on contemporary philosophy and sciences, a humanistic ethical point of view and the Philosophy of Enlightenment.
• 2. the simple and practical model of the world in the perspective of aikido. Herein, the world is described as a unity of oposing energies. The spiritual energy is the basis of life.

B. an ethic based on that two-fold view of the world, resulting in value-oriented principles.

C. the process of experience – cognition – knowledge – mastery – volition – action.

Training

Aiki Tai Jutsu: weaponless techniques including Tanto dori: "knife taking"
Aiki Ken Jutsu: sword techniques including Tachi dori: "sword taking"
Aiki Jo Jutsu: stick techniques including Jo dori: "stick taking"
Ukemi: falling (forward, backward, sideward, free fall)
Reigi: etiquette

Our training is especially for beginners. More experienced students train together with beginners, to help them in gaining strength. Men and women, older and younger aikidoka train together.

We focus on perceiving, controling and directing the inner and outer forces of a situation, e.g., being attacked by one or more opponents. In our daily life this would be considered an extreme situation - so it is more than ideal for training attention, vigilance, concentration, peace of mind, calmness, strength of purpose, will power, and so on.

Another aspect of training Aikido is to question oneself again and again, according ones ways of thinking, feeling and acting, opening up to new experiences and opinions, becoming more flexible and crossing our boundaries and limits.

Risks and side-effects:

Compared to other sports the risk of injury is low in Aikido. But side-effects are many. Especially in the beginning, the body needs to adjust to new movements and positions of joints and will therefore feel pain in regions unknown to its owner. With ongoing training, tendons and joints will strengthen and pain is reduced.

Through permanent concentration on the body's balance one could within time experience the stabilisation of the mind's balance as well.

Aikido is not for those who seek short-term effects, it needs those willing to train on a long-term basis, overcoming the frustration and trouble of the beginning.

© Gerd Bastiné, 2003 - 2007 / Thanks to Patricia Roth for translation

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