WHAT IS Aikido?Aikido (the way of harmonizing the energy of the universe) is, first and foremost, a martial art. At its most basic level Aikido is a system of throwing, joint-locking, striking and pinning techniques, coupled with training in the use of the sword, staff and knife techniques. Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the twentieth century and has grown to be one of the most popular of martial arts. As a form of Budo (the martial way), Aikido offers more than just a fighting art. It is a path of personal discovery and character improvement. The most fundamental concept of Aikido is that of “harmonising” with an attacker. In practical terms, an exponent of Aikido will use the force of an attack against their aggressor to apply a lock, throw or pin. Aikido also uses the concept of “focused power“, where the power of the hips, legs, knees, etc are focused into one point. Finally, what is known as “breath power“, a combination of sensitivity, breathing and rhythm combine to give the practitioner the ability to read and direct an opponents movement. In Aikido Shobukai, the combination of correct posture, centre line, breathing, the explosive power of focused energy and timing might be understood as the “Ki” in Aikido. At Aikido Shobukai Preston we follow the technical direction of Robert Mustard sensei, 8th Dan Yoshinkan Shihan (“teacher of teachers“). In 2013, as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the opening of Aikido Yoshinkai Burnaby, Kimeda sensei gave Mustard sensei’s dojo the name ‘Shobukai’. To consolidate the support in the UK for those following the model of Yoshinkan Aikido set out by Mustard sensei, the Aikido Shobukai UK association formed in the summer of 2014. More information about the Shobukai association kind be found at the Aikido Shobukai website.