Learning and Mastering AIKIDO / AIKI WAGO

Today, Aikido is taught in different opinions. Some organizations teach it as a Japanese traditional art, some others teach it as a combat art, or a competitive sport. Some instructors put emphasis on Aikido kihon waza (basic techniques), some others put emphasis on ki and breathing methods, or on weapon exercises (especially on using a samurai sword). 

Usually Aikido instructors (of any style) teach Aikido without any personal intentions but introduce Aikido and its philosophy. "Usually" does not mean "all" because there are Aikido instructors who are teaching Aikido with negative personal intentions. Such instructors, in order to keep their followers stay, they misinform their students on purpose about the other Aikido styles / Aikido instructors or about ethics and loyalty in Aikido training. They might even say that the other clubs of Aikido are not teaching the original Aikido, the real Aikido, or something else. 

To the questions "Why are there so many different "Aikido" styles ?" and "What is the real Aikido ?" 

Aikido Senior Master Rinjiro Shirata - Dan 10, who had successfully integrated both the prewar and postwar styles of Aikido, explained, "Throughout his life, the Founder (Morihei Ueshiba) continually refined the approach and execution of his techniques. This is quite natural because Aikido techniques are not fixed forms that have been handed down from the past and must be preserved unaltered, but 'living,' infinitely varied responses to a particular situation. Therefore, every generation of disciples was exposed to a different type of Aikido, and within each generation each student had his or her own interpretation reflecting individual levels of progress, attitudes, and extent of spiritual insight. For example, the 'Aikido' of my fellow disciples - Tomiki, Mochizuki, Shioda - differs from each other and from my own. Each one of us focused on what we thought most important. In my fifty years of Aikido training, I have tried to faithfully preserve the essence of what I learned from the Founder. Yet the way I express that essence in my techniques has changed as my understanding of the Founder's message has deepened. Because the scope of that message is so vast and the forms in which it was expressed so great, no one can confidently state that a particular style is the 'real' Aikido or that there is a single Aikido standard. There can never be rigid uniformity in Aikido, but we must guard against totally ignoring the Founder's message to set up pseudo-Aikido based on personal quirks. If we keep the spirit of the Founder in our hearts and train sincerely, surely the Way of Harmony will open for us." 

On the other hand, Chief Huang (the Founder of AIKI WAGO Association) said, "Grand Master Morihei Ueshiba taught us to live in love and harmony through Aikido. Therefore, I should say every style of Aikido is good as long as they teach us to live in love and harmony (although they teach Aikido in different ways and for different good purposes). People may choose the style that suit them best. They may also learn the styles one by one to gain the perfection in Aikido." 
He often says, "It is hard but beautiful and very useful to work together in honor, love, and harmony for the goodwill of mankind and harmony of peace." 

Another wise advice comes from Dr. Lee Ah Loi (a senior student of Senior Master Kenji Tomiki). 
1. There is not one rigid way of learning and practising but many ways to achieve the same result. The mountain can be climbed via several routes. So be humble in your acquisition of this art and never think yours is the only way. 
2. When you have consolidated your basic understanding and practise of Aikido, you should try to broaden your knowledge by practising in other dojos under different instructors and thus develop an open and flexible mind to all aspects of your search for perfection. 
3. You should always respect your instructor but searching for knowledge from others does not mean disrespect. 

Tips for starting Aikido 

1. Gain as much as posible the information on Aikido and its activity around your area. 
2. Check whether it is taught as a traditional art (just for a demonstration, with an obedient uke), a combat art, a competitive sport, a ki exercise, an exercise with atemi (a fatal hit) and force, or rational and realistic training of love (without atemi) and harmony (without forcing). 
3. Visit the available Aikido clubs / dojos and compare their training curriculums. 
4. Choose the club / dojo that suits your intention best. 
5. Respect and trust your instructor, join the exercises patiently, feel your movements, pay attention to the characteristics of the Aikido movements, apply love and harmony in every part of your movements. 
 Notes: 
o A good Aikido instructor will show you the spirit of Aikido 'love' and 'harmony' (not only 'harmony', and especially not 'atemi') in every part of his Aikido techniques (and in his daily life as well). 
o One's rank only tells the formal level he ever achieved in a certain Aikido organization. It gives no guarantee of good instruction. 

Tips to avoid an unnecessary hurt in learning Aikido 

1. Nage should move on time (to avoid the hurt caused by a fast or strong attack). 
2. Nage should do the waza with love and care about the surroundings (not to let his partner get any silly hurts). 
 Notes: 
 o Doing Aikido in harmony and love is not easy but it is not impossible. 
o Harmony and love themselves are the heart of Aikido and the way of a real Aikido-ka. 
3. Uke (the attacker) should do ukemi naturally, scientifically, carefully, and on time. 
4. Nage should care about the uke's counter attack. 
5. Both uke and nage should never pretend to be a clever Aikido-ka and play around with any Aikido waza. You may get a silly hurt and will never improve yourself.