History

Aikido is a Japanese movement form developed from traditional martial arts of earlier centuries. The aim of those traditional martial arts was, in a time full of violence and danger, to survive an attack and disable an enemy. To achieve this it was not only important to be able to perform good techniques, but also to master one's nerves. That is why so much attention was paid to exercises for attaining inner calm and harmony. These old martial arts form the basis of present-day aikido. Today one no longer tries to harm an opponent, but to neutralise their attack by turning their own strength against them.