Aikido can be effectively used as self defence in a street attack situation, but only if you practise in the correct way.
Often instructors and students studying the art are more focused on harmony, balance, self discovery, and improving themselves as a person.
In this way you learn how to use your skills, on a daily basis, as you interact with other people.
But, it seems that the more martial side of Aikido is pushed further and further away.
Don't get me wrong, I support and prefer the instructors that are moving the art into the 21st century and using it for more practical purposes.
Learning how to deal with difficult people in a variety of uncomfortable situations is very useful.
The Aikido dojo training atmosphere is also good for challenging yourself and your emotions and feelings.
It brings your ego out into the open, so you can have a good look at it and change for the better.
But, When things do go wrong, you may get yourself into a difficult situation that you cannot resolve in a reasonable way, then you are going to need some sort of back up.
When an aggressor wants to tear your head off and permanently damage you...
what then? The time for talking is over and you have to either use a preemptive strike, or react to a sudden aggressive attack...
can you deal with it? Please remember that most of us are used to a warm cosy feeling as we practise our Aikido self defence techniques.
If you get your timing wrong and cannot block an attack in the dojo, will it really do that much damage...
not likely! In fact, a full on street attack is aggressive, violent and experts, who have experience of these types of situations, agree that it can freeze you in your tracks.
Even if you are a seasoned student or instructor, can you really get past that rush of adrenaline when you are in fear for your life.
Of, course, if you are one of those students or instructors, who can calmly deal with sudden stress, then go on with your day completely unaffected (like a cat), then you are ok...
right? So, how sure are you that you can use Aikido as self defence against a violent attack? I am not trying to have a go at students or instructors of Aikido, But, just to wake up those who may be unrealistic and think they are safe.
After all there is an increasing amount of street violence happening on a daily basis.
Many people think it always happens to someone else, and assume it will not happen to them! There are other ways of practising Aikido, which I don't prefer, but I do recognise the need for.
That is when the attacks are as hard as your partner can hit or grab.
When you feel inside that you have to make it work, or experience the force of the blow.
You can build this up over time, gradually increasing the power, speed, and even using different angles of attack.
In this way you can get a feeling of the type of stress you will be under in a street attack scenario.
If you practise hard Aikido training and add some sneaky street attacks, from a variety of different angles, then you are getting much closer to being able to defend yourself in an aggressive situation.
This can be a little scary, but it will take you nearer to the edge of reality.
Occasionally your block isn't good enough, or you didn't avoid the strike fast enough.
This tends to wake you up, giving you the incentive to get it right or suffer the consequences.
It also develops your focus and concentration quickly, the same way weapons training does! This type of training is becoming less common, but an essential part of the complete Aikido experience.
After all real Aikido self defence is supposed to be 'martial' then 'art', not the other way round.
Bear in mind that a warrior should be able to choose to use minimum force, which means that they also have the skills to devastate an attacker, if the situation requires it.
Happy training, be safe, but be sure!
Often instructors and students studying the art are more focused on harmony, balance, self discovery, and improving themselves as a person.
In this way you learn how to use your skills, on a daily basis, as you interact with other people.
But, it seems that the more martial side of Aikido is pushed further and further away.
Don't get me wrong, I support and prefer the instructors that are moving the art into the 21st century and using it for more practical purposes.
Learning how to deal with difficult people in a variety of uncomfortable situations is very useful.
The Aikido dojo training atmosphere is also good for challenging yourself and your emotions and feelings.
It brings your ego out into the open, so you can have a good look at it and change for the better.
But, When things do go wrong, you may get yourself into a difficult situation that you cannot resolve in a reasonable way, then you are going to need some sort of back up.
When an aggressor wants to tear your head off and permanently damage you...
what then? The time for talking is over and you have to either use a preemptive strike, or react to a sudden aggressive attack...
can you deal with it? Please remember that most of us are used to a warm cosy feeling as we practise our Aikido self defence techniques.
If you get your timing wrong and cannot block an attack in the dojo, will it really do that much damage...
not likely! In fact, a full on street attack is aggressive, violent and experts, who have experience of these types of situations, agree that it can freeze you in your tracks.
Even if you are a seasoned student or instructor, can you really get past that rush of adrenaline when you are in fear for your life.
Of, course, if you are one of those students or instructors, who can calmly deal with sudden stress, then go on with your day completely unaffected (like a cat), then you are ok...
right? So, how sure are you that you can use Aikido as self defence against a violent attack? I am not trying to have a go at students or instructors of Aikido, But, just to wake up those who may be unrealistic and think they are safe.
After all there is an increasing amount of street violence happening on a daily basis.
Many people think it always happens to someone else, and assume it will not happen to them! There are other ways of practising Aikido, which I don't prefer, but I do recognise the need for.
That is when the attacks are as hard as your partner can hit or grab.
When you feel inside that you have to make it work, or experience the force of the blow.
You can build this up over time, gradually increasing the power, speed, and even using different angles of attack.
In this way you can get a feeling of the type of stress you will be under in a street attack scenario.
If you practise hard Aikido training and add some sneaky street attacks, from a variety of different angles, then you are getting much closer to being able to defend yourself in an aggressive situation.
This can be a little scary, but it will take you nearer to the edge of reality.
Occasionally your block isn't good enough, or you didn't avoid the strike fast enough.
This tends to wake you up, giving you the incentive to get it right or suffer the consequences.
It also develops your focus and concentration quickly, the same way weapons training does! This type of training is becoming less common, but an essential part of the complete Aikido experience.
After all real Aikido self defence is supposed to be 'martial' then 'art', not the other way round.
Bear in mind that a warrior should be able to choose to use minimum force, which means that they also have the skills to devastate an attacker, if the situation requires it.
Happy training, be safe, but be sure!
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