Aikido is a 'modern' Japanese Martial Art, originated by O Sensei Ueshiba Morihei (1883-1969). However the roots of Aikido are very old, for the art incorporates disciplines descended from the ancient Samurai of Japan. The O Sensei himself studied several Martial Arts (such as Tozawa Kito Jujitsu, Sakai Yagyu-ryu (Ken Jutsu), Daito-ryujujitsu (Aiki-jujitsu) from Sokaku Takeda, Kashima Shinto-ryu (Ken Jutsu), stick and spear fighting, etc. etc.).

The Daitoryu style, for instance, has exsisted for more than 700 years. It was General Shinra Sanuro Yoshimitsu who developed a system of techniques to fight armed warriors with empty hands. It was aimed to the vulnerable arms and wrists of the enemy with the use of Atemi-waza, the Tekatana and Kansetsu-waza. This system (Daito-ryujujitsu) has been practised for 32 generations by the Takeda family clan and is actually the main root of Aikido.

From about 1917 to the late 1930s the O Sensei developed his own system, called Aiki-Jutsu which emphasised the combative forms. Later, about 1942, when the emphasis changed, he altered the name to Aikido. The foundation of the Aikido Association in Tokyo, the Aikikai So Hombu, dates from 9 February 1948. It is therefore a modern form of Budo, adapted to our time. The originator of Aikido put forward a 'way of life' based on Aiki. In this essay, I want to put forward a few subjects that are very important to the art, as well as to daily life.

Shisei means posture or position, but is also an expression of the inner energy of a person. How does one achieve a good Shisei? First, you must put your body, which is the repository of the Ki (Union, cosmic energy, vital breath), into proper order, prepare it.

The spine must be straight. If you imagine you are pressing against the sky with the top of your head, your spine automatically finds the correct position. Do not throw your chest out like a soldier standing to attention. Your shoulders should be relaxed and neutral, the anus closed so that the buttocks are tucked in, the Ki centred in the abdominal region, and the body at rest (no tightness).

Having achieved Shisei, the nest task is the correct Kokyü (breathing pattern). Ko means here: breathing out and Kyü is breathing in. All the living creatures take in oxygen and expel carbondioxide. The correct Kokyü is an abdominal breathing, slow, deep, long and natural. Concentrate on the exhalation. Force the breath out and then let your lungs breath in by themselves. It is important to pay close attention to your breathing during Aikido training but also in daily life. Correct Shisei and Kokyü are the fruit of regular practice. The power of breathing (Kokyuryoku) does not come from you but from the Universe.

Kamae is often said to be the key word to the martial arts. The primary meaning of Kamae is preperation, taking one's guard, manner of holding arms. It is derived from the verb Kamaeru, which means to build, prepare, wait at the ready, be on the look out. Kamae in the martial arts means a structure that is stable and secure against an attacker. It implies summoning all one's power of concentration, attention to the slightest detail and seeing things as a whole. In Aikido you step from Shisentai (natural position) forward into Kamae Hidari Hanmi (left foot forward) or into Kamae Migi Hanmi (right foot forward). If both opponents take their guard with the same foot forward (left or right) then their position is called Aihanmi No Kamae. If they take up their guard with opposite feet forward, then their positions are called Gyaku (contrary) Hanmi No Kamae. When you take a further step forward with your front foot, as in Irimi (entering) for example, the other foot follows and the position will change in Hitoemi or Ura Sankaku (heel of front foot to big toe of other foot). The Kamae are the basic positions in Aikido because they are positions from which it is easy to move into other positions. The true Kamae is more than this, it requires you to go beyond yourself, so that at any time and in any place, you will find the effective response against any attack. The true attitude is an exercise of complete attraction of the opponent. You must be able to say: "I am simply standing, nothing else."

Although Aikido is an inheritance of the Samurai, it is very special that there is no Shiai (competition) in it. The O Sensei took the decision of never accepting Shiai any longer. So the Aikidokas who are thinking that there could be Shiai in Aikido are wrong. For Aikido is too dangerous to have proper competition. If people want Shiai, they have to create rules and remove a lot of techniques of the art. Master Ueshiba had many Shiai during his life, particularly on his path of creating Aikido. It is because he has won all his fights that Aikido exists today. One should never forget this.

Having wounded his opponents during his last Shiai, after examening his conscience, he then forbade Taryutai (competitions / fights between schools). The spiritual state of the O Sensei was moving from Jutsu towards Do (way of harmony) and his teaching was filled with Ai-Unite (Love with a capital L). Shiai was from then on pointless.

Aikido is not a fight against anyone. The 'enemy' (opponent / partner) must be enveloped by all your love. If he has misunderstood you, with your love you take him on the path of truth. You have to lead him with you to follow your path, that is Aikido. So your fight is not against an enemy, but against yourself, to stop your bad sides. This Shiai is a fight of life or death.

The O Sensei defined his art as 'The Way of Love of Mankind'. It is essentially a preparation of a relationship between oneself and the cosmic world and it is therefore a contribution to our destiny and to our future.