Aikido Principles

Aikido is the peaceful martial art. Its defense techniques should be so gentle that even the attacker is delighted. There's no competition, since each participant should be a winner. It's an art that lasts a lifetime, getting increasingly fascinating by each year. This book presents the principles and fundamental concepts of aikido, deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy and the refined ideals of the samurai. It explores all the Japanese traditions and martial art essentials at work in aikido practice. The first part of the book examines the aikido principles for how to find the peaceful solution, and how to enjoy aikido practice to the fullest. The second part explains the Japanese concepts used in aikido, such as do, the way, ki, life energy, tanden, the center, and many more. There is also a chapter about kototama, the spiritual cosmology that was essential to Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido. The third part includes Osensei's Rules for Training, the Budo Charter, and an aikido glossary. The book was previously published as Aikido: The Peaceful Martial Art.

Stefan Stenudd is a 7 dan Aikikai Shihan aikido instructor, former Vice Chairman of the International Aikido Federation and President of the Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation, who has practiced aikido since 1972. He is also a writer of both fiction and non-fiction.