The Passive Martial Art Articles | Self Esteem

By: Darren Williger

Originally martial arts were a system of combat training recorded in murals and documents and studied over time. Nowadays you have people using martial arts for various purposes including self-defense, physical well-being and exercise. In terms of the different existing martial arts, there is one that’s differs from the rest in the way that it is applied. This martial art emphasizes the use of a passive approach in order to counter brute force. The essence of Aikido is to cultivate a mien of relaxation and serenity in normal life. The ability to use these techniques in combat is also part of the training that Aikido offers its students. Aikido is quite modern though and has its origins in Japan where it was founded sometime in the second decade of the early 20th century. One thing to be considered about this martial art is that the Aikido spirit is engendered in students so these students benefit from a spiritual and philosophical development all at the same time. All this becomes part of the foundations of the combative art of Aikido. Currently people who practice Aikido will tell you that the art affects every aspect of their lives from seemingly unrelated activities such as gardening to others like cooking. This forms a link between the way of life and the combative training that takes place in the dojo.

The philosophy and the spirit behind Aikido helps these people relax better and control aggression properly. The nature of this training is associated with the background that the founder of the martial art had in the religion known as Omoto-Kyo. Omoto-Kyo is a religion whose followers have a belief in the beautification of the world through art. This art is what they believe brings people closer towards nature. Followers of this religion also advocate peace over war. This practice is what is what links the religion with Aikido. The Aikido spirit is also referred to in some quarters as the art of peace. People tend to wonder about this since martial arts can hardly be considered as peaceful but Aikido enthusiasts claim that winning over an enemy through the martial art can be termed to be the art of peace. Despite this definitions however, what Aikido is all about is keeping the person who is practicing the art in a constant state of relaxation.

With the relaxed state of the Aikido expert a person can carry out difficult throws and maneuver easily as has been shown by the martial art. The relaxed state of an individual can be linked with a peace that is seemingly free from aggression. The concept shows that when a person is tense and not in a state of relaxation, excess energy is wasted on the use of aggression. Going with the flow leads to a state where a person is not afraid of the consequences of their actions. The peace and relaxed state a person remains in gives a person a demeanor whose benefits can easily be seen. With the spirit an Aikido practitioner has they can have a certain mental discipline, have great character and the ability and calm that people need in order to achieve their end goals.