Aikido is martial art with Budo (the way of the samurai) tradition which formed of 3 Japanese characters.

“Ai” is harmony, joining

“Ki” is energy, spirit, power

“Do” is way, path

By the meaning of the characters, in terminology aikido means a way or path to harmonize the energy of the universe coordinated with mind, body, and spirit. Fundamentally, aikido is harmonizing with an attacker. In practical term, aikido uses the force of an attack against its aggressor to control the opponent by applying a lock, throw, or pin.

In implementation, aikido is more than just techniques, but it is a martial art tactic and strategy. It describes an idea of oneness with the movement of the opponent, not clashing. When applied judicially, aikido techniques can canalize, divert, and immobilize attacks, rather than damage or create frictions. Thus, aikido techniques are effective, but merciful response in anticipating attacks without inflicting injury.

In application, aikido uses combination of circular movements. By using circular movement pattern, an aikidoka can harmonize and free to lead various attacks, although they are linear or angular. Circular movement can naturally blend in with attacks because it is not blocking or stopping them. Instead, it directs for effective control.

According to Traditional Aikido of Sonoma site, http://www.traditional-aikido.com/Technique/three_techniques.htm, basically all of aikido techniques have three principles. They are Kokyu-ryoku, Tai-no-sabaki, and Ki-no-musubi.

Kokyu-ryoku

Kokyu-ryoku is breath power and mind extension beyond physical power. It can also mean learning to coordinate breathing with sensitivity, rhythm, and movement. An aikidoka can only achieved this condition by intensive and serious training. When an aikidoka understands when to inhale and exhale, that is when aikido becomes moving meditation. Breathing exercise is only a beginning, eventually it will produce calmness and fullness.

Tai-no-sabaki

Tai-no-sabaki is footwork and body movement. But footwork means more than just stepping here and there. Kokyu-ryoku blends into tai-no-sabaki. Therefore, when an aikidoka steps, slides, or pivots he or she has to align his or her movement with breath, extension, and sphere. Without kokyu-ryoku in tai-no-sabaki, an aikidoka is simply just walking around.

Ki-no-musubi

Literally, ki-no-musubi means “knotting or tying up Ki”. This principle is closely related to the concept of Setsuzoku, which means “connection”. It is an act of merging and harmonizing Tori and Uke. With ki-no-musubi, tori ties up uke’s Ki at the very moment they appear. So, when uke moves, tori moves too. Only with focused mind, an aikidoka may apply this principle.

Other than the three principles mentioned, there are a few more essential points which an aikidoka has to commit in applying aikido techniques.

Shisei

Shisei means posture, body position, and attitude. How an aikidoka wears Gi, Seiza (seated), walks, talks, thinks, respects the training partners, and even his or her spirit reflects shisei. Excellent posture in aikido is to have straight spine. Mind, body, and spirit have to relax completely, not tense or loose. By relax completely, one can have own control and also the surrounding.

Kamae

Kamae is standby position in a form of Hanmi (stance) with relax condition, physically and mentally. By doing kamae correctly, an aikidoka has already applied a technique. Kamae is closely tied to the concept of Zanshin, which is awareness, not losing your uke and surrounding in order to gain control of condition and situation. Therefore, zanshin always comes with kamae in all positions, either when standing or seiza.

Ma-ai

The concept of ma-ai is related to space and the right timing. Specifically, ma-ai can be translated as engagement distance between the one that applies a technique and the attacker, which is tori dan uke. Only in the proper distance and the right moment, an aikidoka may apply a technique with optimal control.

Irimi

Irimi is the root of aikido. Literally, irimi means entering the body or through the body. Also called as entering movement. Irimi determines the next move for tori. That is why irimi becomes the basic and the start of all aikido techniques.

In order to steer uke’s balance when tori applies irimi, then he or she has to maintain contact and keep control of uke’s center. According to Koichi Tohei Shihan in his book “Aikido with Mind and Body Coordinated”, page 13, center is one point in the lower abdomen. He calls it “Seika no itten.”

Tenkan

Tenkan is turning 180 degrees using the hip and pivoting with the foot in front to the outer side of the body and move out of the line of attack. The purpose is to blend in with the energy of an attack.

Omote and Ura

Omote and ura are two ways to apply aikido techniques. Literally, omote means public face, visible things, in front, and aspects which are clearly seen. When tori applies a technique by omote way, then uke can see the execution of the technique because tori is in front of uke.

Instead, ura means private face, invisible things, and aspects which are hidden. When tori applies a technique by ura way, then uke can’t see the execution of the technique because tori moves behind uke.

Atemi

Atemi is formed of two words. The first is Ateru which means reaching target with precision and effectiveness. And the second is Mi which means body. The merger of the two words can be interpreted as striking the body, attacks against vital points, or methods of distraction.

In page 24 of his book “Total Aikido”, Gozo Shioda Shihan said, “The moment of contact becomes a strike.” In the same page, there is also a quote by the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba known as O-sensei. He said, “In a real battle, atemi is seventy percent, technique is thirty percent.” According to other source, Morihiro Saito Shihan said in page 38 of his book “Traditional Aikido Vol. 5” that, “Atemi accounts of 99% of aikido...”

Those sources explain that atemi is very significant in aikido. Atemi is committed to irimi. Atemi has to come with irimi, and so does the other way around.

The points mentioned are instructions and guideline for understanding the essence of aikido. Only with open mind and intensive training, an aikidoka may learn and understand the principles of aikido. Eventually, aikido leads for control. Because only by controlling ego and emotion, oneself may become a better individual, for him or herself and to others. In higher level context, by having the present of control one can adapt with situation and surrounding.