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Aikido, your thoughts as a Martial Art.

  • 26-11-2008 06:02PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭


    Thinking about taking it up, for some reason out of any of them (disciplines) it seems to be the one I would like to do, but this is only from what people have told me and suggested.

    Is there anyone here who does it and can give me some idea of what it entails from a personal point of view (rather than broad internet descriptions).


«13

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,923 ✭✭✭Nothingcompares


    who suggested you do Aikido? an aikidoka?

    don't believe anything you read about martial arts on the internet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 24,608 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    Jumpy wrote: »
    Thinking about taking it up, for some reason out of any of them (disciplines) it seems to be the one I would like to do, but this is only from what people have told me and suggested.

    Is there anyone here who does it and can give me some idea of what it entails from a personal point of view (rather than broad internet descriptions).


    Well I'd suggest trying it and see.

    Almost all style have things which simply do not work, and Aikido is one of them.

    The majority of people here will say that Aikido is useless, and it probably is mostly but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment that its practitioners obviously take from it.

    Wiki has Aikido covered too.

    Also MeaveD (a contributor here) is an Aikido black belt, so maybe wait for her to join the discussion or PM her.

    But watch out, because people will knock it.

    ***Edit, talking about useless styles and enjoyment. One of the most entertaining and dare I say it, spectacular styles I've seen was a Kendo competition I went to (as a spectator) last year. So don't let the begrudgers turn you off before you check it out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,856 ✭✭✭Mark Hamill


    What are your reasons for wanting to take up a martial art? If you are just looking for a martial art to do for fun then you should just try everything and see what you think (nobody can tell you what you will enjoy). If its a case of self defense/exercise etc, then people here can tell you their opinions on its efficiency in those respects too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭MaeveD


    Hi Jumpy,
    I've been doing Aikido for about 13 years, I even went off foreign for a year to study it full time. I think it's a fantastic martial art, and hope to get back to it soon, I'm out through injury.
    There is loads of what I consider crap Aikido out there and even more crap talked about it... I don't get into defending it because I really couldn't be arsed :)
    The control and restraint techniques we teach are mostly adapted Aikido techniques. They seem to work well for the people we teach them to, and thats all that counts.

    Go and have a look at one of Rays classes in Swords if you're out that way, even though I'm extremely biased, he's a fantastic teacher. If it looks like something you'd like to try, then have a go.

    Things to avoid: people who quote Aikido books, say they trained with the founders last students, or talk about ki.... and of course people who tell you that any martial art is useless (except that one where you learn to absorb strikes all the time... now that is total crap!)

    Just go try something and make up your own mind.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭Jumpy


    Thanks all. I am in Limerick, there doesnt seem to be much going here.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Einstein


    I personally reckon the reason lotsa people will knock Aikido, is because ye go in on day 1, but takes a number of months before ye actually have a clue what you're doing, and a number of years before you can practically apply it well. Unlike from day 1 of a different style say kempo, ye might come out after the first night with something new in your head...
    Normally the Aikido bashers are the ones that go for 2 lessons and say..."all i was doin was spinin in circles..,not goin back there again"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    I trained aikido a few years in my teens and recommend it, not as a defence so much as it teaches you the basics of grappling and throwing. Even now I use what I learned then, thinking of starting Iaido now.
    It's a very graceful martial art and it gives you, I think, an different attitude than Muay Thai or MMA, which are competitive.

    If you want to fight off scumbags Krav Maga would be a better option than Aikido, or maybe a mix of both?


    Dojo: Limerick Aikido
    Address: St. Francis Boxing Club, Mungret St.
    Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays 19:30 - 21:30 / Sundays 15:00 - 18:00
    Instructor: John Meldrum
    Contact: Moylan Ryan Tel: 086 8328391 or 061 315777 (Work)
    Tony Treanor Tel: 086 8471775 or 061 228333 (Work)
    tonytreanor@fas-lk.com

    Dojo: Limerick Aikido Club
    Address: School Projects Centre, O Connell St, Limerick
    Schedule: Monday 20:00 - 22:00
    Friday 19:00 - 21:00
    Contact: Darren Simming 086 8123895
    Ken Stanton 061 202675 - kenneth.stanton@ul.ie
    Gerry Begley 061 357541 - Gerard.Begley@tellabs.com

    Address: University of Limerick
    Address: University University Sports Centre, Plassey, Limerick
    Schedule: Mon: 9:15 - 10:45, Wed: 7:30 - 9:00
    Style: Aikikai
    Instructor: Gerry Begley
    Affiliation: Irish Aikido Federation
    Contact: Ken Stanton/Gerry Begley
    Address: Same as for club
    Phone: 061 202942 Ken / 061 357541 Gerry
    Email: kenneth.stanton@ul.ie gerard.begley@tellabs.com


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19 moxiah


    I was an on-again-off-again student of Aikido for a couple of years and thoroughly enjoyed it, despite ultimately deciding it wasn't for me. As a demographic, Aikidoka are a lot nicer than some and tend to be very pleasant to new students so you've everything to gain by giving it a shot.

    Re: Aikido/Aikidoka being crap etc., I was advised to think of it as less a combative art and more a study of motion; where the combative applications are implicit, as opposed to explicit, and the focus of the art is blending with an opponent and moving him.

    Hope that helps,

    Mox


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 661 ✭✭✭Charlie3dan


    Aikido is a fantastic martial art. It is not fight sport.
    Some people think martial arts are only valueable if you compete but in fact martial arts have much more to offer.

    I would say try it out, keep an open mind, know your goals and above all enjoy yourself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 436 ✭✭Kila


    MaeveD wrote: »
    Go and have a look at one of Rays classes in Swords if you're out that way, even though I'm extremely biased, he's a fantastic teacher.

    I'd have to concur. I don't particularly like some of the "wishy washy" type aikido that I've seen in the past, but I very much enjoyed Ray's style of teaching!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 673 ✭✭✭pearsquasher


    I only did Aikido for 3 months in college but left when I re-discovered Bujinkan. To me aikido seems to be the most "artistic" of the martial arts and there's absolutley nothing wrong with that. I think the "martial" side of it is amazing too but you do need to study hard.

    Anyway I thought it was great when I did it and every aikidoka I've met, including my old man who studied with a Japanese master in France for years, was a very decent and respectable martial artist. Bujinkan has a lot in common with it due to similar early roots (koryu jujutsu).

    It's well worth checking out a few clubs to see which one suits you because even within the same art you can have broad differences in style. Best of luck and enjoy the ride.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,923 ✭✭✭Nothingcompares


    Aikdio won't make you look like this

    Or Make you any better at this

    It's also boring.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 512 ✭✭✭TKD SC


    Jumpy wrote: »
    Thinking about taking it up, for some reason out of any of them (disciplines) it seems to be the one I would like to do, but this is only from what people have told me and suggested.

    Is there anyone here who does it and can give me some idea of what it entails from a personal point of view (rather than broad internet descriptions).

    My advise would still be to try out as many MAs as possible before you pick one. If aikido seems to be one you'd like to do, and people have suggested then def try to give it a go (if you can find a club near you). However, until you go to a few classes you won't really know if it is for you. Also, there might be another MA out there that you'd prefer much more but haven't thought of. I wouldn't dismiss any MA until you give it a go and decide yourself. It's all about enjoying it and getting something out of it otherwise you probably won't continue with it. Therefore, I'd really urge you to try out as many MAs as you can now before you make a final decision. You might surprise yourself as to what you like. Do aikido, you may love it or hate it, try judo, kickboxing, muay thai, bjj, tkd, karate, tai chi, kung fu, etc etc - who knows what you will actually like the most and settle on. But it would be great to try out everything you can now - enjoy it all!, so you are really happy with your final decision...you may click more with a certain club, instructor, atmosphere, location, etc that will impact your choice also...

    good luck.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 661 ✭✭✭Charlie3dan


    Aikdio won't make you look like this

    Or Make you any better at this

    It's also boring.

    :rolleyes:

    Luckily martial arts have much more to offer than this.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 24,608 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    :rolleyes:

    Luckily martial arts have much more to offer than this.

    +1.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 859 ✭✭✭BobbyOLeary


    Aikdio won't make you look like this

    Or Make you any better at this

    WOW!! It fails at something it never claims to do. Stop the presses.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,729 ✭✭✭Pride Fighter


    Just dont end up like Steven Seagal:pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 109 ✭✭mhairt


    Hi
    I took up Aikido about two months ago and really enjoy it. If you just want to have a little fun and stay in shape i would recommend it. A lot really depends on the club and instructor no matter what martial art you take up so go and see a few.
    Best of luck


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 346 ✭✭Martin25


    Aikido is a great martial art but it may take a bit too long to get to the self defence bit for the streets and the nasty people who attack innocents.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 54 ✭✭beGood


    :rolleyes:

    Luckily martial arts have much more to offer than this.
    Mairt wrote: »
    +1.

    +2


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,474 ✭✭✭jim o doom


    Anyone think it would be a good addition to kenpo? In (hopefully about a year to a year and a half) I should be going for my black - after that I was thinking about branching out and trying different arts to add on to my kenpo (kenpo will always be my base because I love it ;) - but I've always been interested in Aikido and how you use your opponents movements and weight against them - we have some of those ideas in kenpo, but no where near the same extent :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,923 ✭✭✭Nothingcompares


    why call it a martial art if it has no relevance to fighting? aikido has zero substance as a martial art, as a hobby, what ever floats your boat.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 492 ✭✭Burnt


    why call it a martial art if it has no relevance to fighting? aikido has zero substance as a martial art.

    Why would the tokyo metropolitian police riot squad, be bothered with Aikido? Why would the Kempeitai be bothered with aikido? What about Tomiki / Shodokan Aikido?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭MaeveD


    Aikdio won't make you look like this

    Or Make you any better at this

    It's also boring.

    In my opinion this is a ridiculous post... and at least spell it right.

    I had a six pack when I trained Aikido 3 times per week, Philippe Gouttard a 6th dan who is in his 50's now is fantastic shape. Fitness depends on the effort you put in to your training, just like every other martial art or sport. GSP is in great nick though :P why didn't you post a pic of Rickson Gracie in those tight white shorts? hhmmmmm

    If you want to be better at MMA.... ehhhh train MMA, Gunnar is a fantastic talented athlete and I love watching him fight, I've loved watching MMA for years, but wtf has that got to do with Aikido??

    Aikido is most definitely not boring, I don't find studying BJJ any more or less intresting.

    And to say "aikido has zero substance as a martial art" :D:D:D Now that's just funny!

    Moxiah... I don't agree that Aikidoka are nicer than others, or very plesant to beginners, I've had some very nasty experiences... and I've actually found BJJ people much nicer. Maybe I'm hanging around with the wrong crowd.

    And yes Pridefighter is right... do not end up like the Seagull


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,923 ✭✭✭Nothingcompares


    japan is probably the only place in the world you'd get away with trying to use aikido on the street.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭Pingu


    japan is probably the only place in the world you'd get away with trying to use aikido on the street.

    Oh Dear, we're reduced to "on the street" arguements.
    Maybe they don't want to be a street fighter?

    I do Judo, Sambo and train in a bit of MMA, so i'm generally the first to take pot shots at aikido.

    But if people are happy doing a martial that they enjoy and feel they get much more benefit out of training in a fun friendly enviroment that they'll enjoy a workout, and learn a new skillset in addition to the other generic benefits that come with training in most martial arts

    Why do you feel the need to knock them for that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭MaeveD


    japan is probably the only place in the world you'd get away with trying to use aikido on the street.

    Ah now I get it, you spent the afternoon in the pub didn't you? :rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 69 ✭✭burtyburr


    Hello Jumpy,
    I'm with TKD_SC on this one. Try as many types of ma and ma clubs as you can before you decide.
    If anyone on this forum has a common complaint its trying to find the time to devote to martial arts as much as we would like too. So it makes sense to shop around a bit and try different systems on. While you might "think" that a particular style suits, you never really know till ya give it a shot.
    I have a vague memory about a quote that went something like " .the technique is made for the man." There is nothing to say that you cant try out a system for a bit and then move on to another style. At the end of the day it is you who is doing the learning, you can take lessons learned in one style and apply it to the next.
    At the end of the day it is you who will be trying to balance work/family with your training so you should reward yourself with what works best for you.

    * Corpus Christi Martial Arts And Kung Fu ( A.K.A.I. )
    * Limerick
    * Contact : P.J. (061) - 453947
    * Corpus Christi Kickboxing Club ( A.K.A.I. ) - ( I.K.F. Gan Teora. )
    * Limerick
    * Contact : Jeff (087) - 1234777
    * Limerick Kickboxing Club ( I.K.F. Gan Teora. )
    * Thomondgate Limerick
    * Contact : P.J. (087) - 6987495

    or

    http://www.fightingireland.com/tx/club.asp?action.x=1&strAdd3=co.+Limerick&strStyle=

    or

    here is a similiar post on limerick here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055215618

    or

    http://www.goldenpages.ie/detailsSearch.ds;jsessionid=D3B544F5597449B2947591F027DFCAF3?detailsListingId=IE_13921749_9999_1002

    or http://www.fightingireland.com/tx/club.asp?action.x=1&strAdd3=co.+Limerick&strStyle=#
    or

    http://www.geocities.com/aimaalimerick/

    or
    http://homepage.eircom.net/~abbeykarateclub/


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,923 ✭✭✭Nothingcompares


    Just as long we are agreed it's not revelant to combat sports you can pretend it's really fun endeavour as long as you want.

    Also just to make it clear I'm just not trolling here. Why are people so defensive about Aikido? Only one person does it here anyway. If I posted a message here saying the colour purple was horrible and the worst colour in the world would people be going bananas to defend it? Aikido (like a lot of martial arts) is just some silly dudes in pyjamas rolling about the place. There's nothing sacred about it. IMO it's just a nonsenese martial art. Other people say things like "aikido just takes a really long time to appreciate" or "there's more to martial arts than combat sports or functional training methods" but you have to the accept the fact that the only people defending aikido are those that have never done it, or spent 10 years on it and are passed the point of no return.

    As i said on similar thread, don't beleive anything anyone says about martial arts on the internet, go and try aikido and if you like it, good luck to ya.


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 47,769 CMod ✭✭✭✭Black Swan


    Jumpy wrote: »
    Is there anyone here who does it and can give me some idea of what it entails
    Suggest that you shop around. Visit and compare. Some MA training centres offer short introductory sessions for free or a discounted price. If you are serious about taking up an MA and envision a long term commitment towards some level of mastery, then it's worth taking the time now to find the best fit for you, be it Aikido or some other MA?


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