Henke wrote:And about Aikido, I'm not as sure that it's one of the most effective systems. I think it would work, but I don't think it would be very effective. I've never practiced much Aikido though so I can't say for sure. From what it looks like, it seems it would do the trick in many situations. Everytime I've seen a demonstration of Aikido, I feel like it's extremely orchestrated, that the stuff could never work if the attackers were a little bit smarter than to just charge in with their heads lowered like bulls.
I don't doubt that an Aikido master would severely kick my ass if we sparred though (or at least throw my ass to the floor). There is a limit as to how soft and non-violent a self-defence system can be and still work.
Hapkido seems like a more realistic art in that case, but it also feathures many of the good elements from Aikido.
In my limited experience, it takes a long time to develop Aikido to the point of being useful in serious real-world fighting. For one thing, most training is based on what are essentially kata. There is no sparring as such--though upper blackbelt ranks do work with freeform attacks--including multiple attackers with weapons. This is part of the principle of reducing conflict.
The essential idea of Aikido is not fighting. If you want to learn fighting, you're better off with aikijutsu, jujutsu, etc. (That's assuming you'll be better off fighting.)
There
are a number of schools that have split off from the original (Aikikai) since the death of the founder, Ueshiba Morihei. Shioda Goza's school (Yoshinkan) puts a bit more emphasis on practical combat skills. Tohei Koichi's Ki Society (Ki no Kai) puts more emphasis on Ki. Aikikai remains somewhere in the middle. There is even a Sport Aikido, developed by Tomiki Kenji. This is the variety that I'm least familiar with. In many ways, the differences flow from differences in the personalities of the various teachers. Even within Aikikai, different teachers have their individual styles.
Because of the emphasis on restraint without injury, nurses and orderlies who have to deal with potentially violent patients often find Aikido techniques useful.
For myself, I simply enjoyed Aikido practice. It was fun. It was interesting. It fit my dislike of conflict. (Funny characteristic for a career soldier, huh?)
Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations, Henke. Remember that in most martial arts, your first black belt is recognition that you're really serious about your practice. It's the beginning, not the end.
in my proffession, that's exactly what they do. It's rather comical when you look at it, but your average "tough-guy" cant fight for sh*t.
