Brisbane Self Defence
A lot of people who come to our aikido dojo to find out about it are interested in its effectiveness as a form of self-defence. Two common questions asked are 'how effective is aikido against XXX martial art' or 'have you ever had to use it?'. These are good questions to ask as a way of determining martial effectiveness probably - but not necessarily a good measure of self-defence skills? Is it good self defence to get into a lot of fights?, and so the answer to these questions can often disappoint because most people studying aikido don't ever get into physical confrontation. Self-defence is not always about being tough and learning techniques(these take a long time to master and false confidence is very dangerous) - it's about avoiding physical confrontation where possible and defending yourself as a last resort.
See our Griffith Aikido Self defence programme here Griffith Aikido - Self Defence course
Aikido is often called 'the art of peace' and central to aikido is the idea of harmony with your opponent in a particle way both mentally and physically. In aikido you are unlikely to force meet with force instead an aikido student blends with an attack to negate of redirect its power. Today though, far removed from the battlefields of feudal Japan where this art has its origins, attacks and assaults comes in many forms including verbal conforntation, intimidation and even physical confrontation. The principles that underlie aikido can be used not only in physical confrontation but in the stages leads up to it, to avoid it altogether.
Five basic principles often taught in Ki Aikido are:-
- Ki is Extending
- Know your opponents Ki
- Respect your opponents Ki
- Harmonise with your opponents Ki
- Lead with confidence
While these principles are used in every martial technique in aikido to throw or pin or subdue an attacker the techniques themselves take preactice to learn and master. However many believe that the best way to win a fight is not to fight at all. Below are some suggestions for applying aikido principles to actively avoid trouble before it really gets going. Taking action early is more about personal protection than self defense and requires a lot less training.
Ki is Extending - Awareness
Many people are simply unaware of the trouble about to befall them until they are caught right in the middle of it. Awareness and some simple forward planning can save you a lot of trouble, just nut taking the initiative. Its a lot easier to avoid trouble that try and get out of it one you are in it. Don't for example park your car in a back alley to avoid paying for parking, only to risk a late night walk in a scary area? If your at university consider getting the security bus to the car park at night - it only takes a bit longer. Working late at work, move the car to a better place before it gets dark. Is it time to leave the pub after watching a football game because the crowd is getting a bit rowdy? Someone's talking to you aggressively and you so engrossed that you miss his friend standing behind you?
Know your opponents Ki - Trust your gut feeling and intuition
Vicitms of crime interviewed after an event oten say that felt uneasy about the situation sometime before it developed. Trust your feeling, its often far better to have a false alert than be a ictim. Does that guy walking towards you look suspicious? Getting dirty looks from a group nearby on the dance floor? Trusting your 'gut' feeling, that sense of uneasy that trouble's brewing is your bosy telling you its time to do something now. Maybe its time to cross the street, leave the bar or just turn tail and run.(Forget you pride and ego..its just not worth it)
Respect your opponent's Ki - Respect
Had some beer spilt on you - maybe it really was an accident? Someone calling you names and insulting your friends - maybe they are right/maybe not .. Whatever its not worth having a punch-up over is it? After all its only your ego at risk. Is someone sizing you up at a party, giving you the eye and looking for trouble, a disarming wave and a smile can work wonders here.
Lead with confidence - Be confident
Some research was done where a number of people were videotaped whilst walking, the tape was shown to convicted muggers. The muggers were asked to rate these people on if they would consider them a target or not. Almost all muggers identified the same people as being good targets. What was the key feature here was it age or sex.. no it was the way someone walked. So hold you head up, stand tall and walk confidently. Whilst returning someones elses gaze can be interpreted as agressive, dropping your eyes down can be interpretted as submissive, rather let you eyes slide sideways and continue walking (regardless of if you actually have a destination)
It takes a long time to master the art of aikido but you can use some of the principles of Aikido immediately to improve your life and stay out of trouble. If your interested in learning Aikido you will be doing physical training of martial techniques such as throws and joint locks based on the above principles. These help change the way we behave in potentially difficult situations by allowing us not to react to the confrontation as Aikido techniques use the opponent's power to subdue them without injury. Through constant practice these principles become more intuitive and are adopted into the subconscious. This develops a calmer mind and a non-aggressive mindset in practitioners.
Back to Personal protection
Aikido
A modern martial art developed from the traditional Samurai class of martial arts in Japan. Aikido has no blocks or punches but instead redirects the attackers energy to throw or immobilise them. Suitable for men, women and children. With a good mix of aerobic and weight bearing training its a good way to maintain inner and outer health and pick up some handy skills as well.
Brisbane Aikido Republic
We welcome serious men and women interested in the study of the subtlety of 'aiki' through the sogobujutsu of Aikido.
Originating in the combative arts of the Japanese samurai this art explores the finese of joining with the energy of the opponent through open hand and traditional weapons practice.
Start Today
