I was only able to study Aikido for a very short time. I only studied for a year or so. I however fell in love with this style of Martial arts. With help from http://www.aikidoconnection.com/# I have the following Blog for you...

Morihei Ueshiba, called O'Sensei ("great teacher"), the founder of modern Aikido, was born on December 14, 1883 in the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. O'Sensei was a man of peace who followed his spiritual and philosophical vision. He taught that the martial arts should be used as a means to live in harmony with oneself, the earth, and its inhabitants. Throughout his life he continued to refine his system to the less violent and gently flowing techniques practiced today. O'Sensei died at the age of 86 on April 26, 1969.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art and it is one of the younger martial arts. Although steeped in Japanese samurai tradition, its practice is ideally suited to today's world and to our current lifestyles. It helps us deal with stress, conflicts, and attacks from multiple directions. It differs from many other martial arts in that it doesn't meet aggression with aggression, but stresses blending with an incoming attack and redirecting the energy of that attack back to the attacker.

Aikido can be a very effective form of self-defense. It is used by a large number of law enforcement and military personnel worldwide. The techniques do not depend on size, strength, agility, or youth. Men and women, young and old, large and small - all can do Aikido. Though in my own personal opinion and short expeiance Aikido is actually geared towards smaller stature people. Rather that smaller stature people have the ability to be better than people of larger stature. Aikido is built around your center of gravity and the lower your center is the better you will be able to apply the techniques.

Aikido is a well-rounded path of self-development, through which we can learn more about ourselves, improve ourselves as human beings, and become more effective at everything we do. It is applying our training to every one of our activities, to the way we live our daily life, to every breath we take. Like Paganism it is not just something you do, it becomes a way of life. It becomes how we associate with teh world around us. How we can blend with the energies that suround us. Not only when having to defend ourselves but with life in general. How I blend with my family, my co-workers and my friends. Making sure that I am grounded and centered with everything my life connects with.

Physically and psychologically, Aikido is at the same time very complex and yet very simple. The changes it can make in our lives begin at the surface and go as deep as we let it. Specifically, physical benefits of Aikido practice include increased balance, coordination, reaction, and sense of timing; improved posture, flexibility and aerobic conditioning; a greater awareness of our bodies and how we express ourselves through our bodies; and a more relaxed and confident presence.Mental benefits include this increased self-awareness and relaxation; better ability to resolve conflicts and deal with stressful situations in a calmer and more positive manner; greater self-confidence and self-discipline; and the constant challenge of self-development and learning new skills. Spiritual benefits include being able to improve one's own quality of living; to break or change old habits and conditioning; to see things with greater clarity and perceptiveness; and to have a greater intuitive understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

"Create each day anew by clothing yourself with heaven and earth, bathing yourself with wisdom and love, and placing yourself in the heart of Mother Nature." ~ Morihei Ueshiba

In Love and Light,

Bill