starting aikido

[karate kid 1]

hi guys im thinking of starting aikido and i wonderd wot u all thought it would be really interesting to here ur views cos im sure u all no better thn me lol

[jedimc]

Go watch a few classes and try a few before you commit, Talk to the teacher and try to get his views on Aikido eg does he teach a more self defence style or a style that relies more on ki and fluidness or a bit both.

[shogeri]

Follow Jed's advice, it sounds very reasonable.

[tenshin_uke]

after taking TKD for almost 4 years, and after much abuse to my body, i started looking for an art that i could do with my kids. i visited an aikido dojo here and found out that they don't do punching or kicking, that it's more self defense. honestly, i thought 'how hard could this be'? WOW. very different from TKD, and it has been hard at times to learn some of the techniques. 9 months later, all in all it has been very rewarding. visit some of your local dojos. a lot of places will give you a free lesson, or sometimes a free week of training to see how you like it.

[karate kid 1]

thanx guys ill di tht i new i cud rely on u!

[DokterVet]

What are your goals?

Personal challenge? Self-defence? Fighting ability? Spirituality? Perfection of an art?

Your goals will determine whether or not it is a good choice for you.

[Drunken_Apprentice]

I agree with the recommendations here. Aikido is ... well, a little unique. I had taken it for several years and it's (IMO) certainly not what I would consider to be a comprehensive form of self defense. In other words, if you want to learn how to fight in short order, go to a gym where they teach a combination of standup (like boxing / MT) and groundwork like BJJ or Judo.

However, aikido is excellent in teaching what I would call "good combat theory" ... maintaining balance, flowing with an attack, understanding body mechanics, and, to whatever extent is realistically possible, dealing with more than one opponent at once. Personally, I would take it after a few years of other MA experience. (Of course if you have such experience and are looking to supplement what you have, then by all means go ahead!)

Bottom line - visit a dojo or two and check it out. Take some classes and see for yourself. You will know if it's for you.

[Goju_boi]

I was thinking of starting aikido, but didn't b/c they don't have gound work like judo or ju jutsu

[red dawn]

I was thinking of starting aikido, but didn't b/c they don't have gound work like judo or ju jutsu

Aikido has ground work...it's not it's focus...but after learning it for only a little over a month i've learned about 4 or 5 ground defences which i've found very useful...There ground work is close to jujitsu..not as painful though...

karate kid 1:

I love aikido...i've been doing it for a little over a month..and the only con I can find is it's not the best if going against a boxer or kickboxer...but Aikido can hold its own in self-defense...I transfered over after 7 years of a kicking art and jujitsu...but Aikido is an awsome art. But it's always good to be well rounded in all areas of self-defense...so learning aikido isn't going to hurt! But again, it all depends on what your looking for from learning a MA...aikido is a very traditional art but good!

[Goju_boi]

I guess, but I'd rather go with Hapkido. Both of them have the same grappling style as it's foundation, but Hapkido is more complete.