First timer (at this sight)

[AikidoKevin]

Hello everyone,
ill give you a little background My name is Kevin, im From NJ, I work in the cardiovascular software research and development division of GE. my hobbies besides Martial arts are auto roadracing, and motorcycle dragracing, and tropical fish keeping.
I trian in Aikido, 4 years classical and on 5th year of Nihon Goshin (combat Aikido). 4 days a week 2 hours each. Private instruction 4 hours a week and regular class training the other 4. Nihon Goshin is based on modern day attacks and weapons therefor class is hard and "real world" Classical Aikido was formed from Diato Ryu Aiki Jujutsu locks and Throws and Shinkage kenjutsu movements. Nihon Goshin takes that and blends it with some karate, judo and more ground Jujutsu. I am in New Jersey, USA and welcome anyone to train and swap techs. very freindly enviroment, OH and this is my first time to this site.. see you around

[Jerik]

Aikido Question

Hello AikidoKevin.

First i want to tell some Info about my Martial Arts.

Im 20 years old, started with JKD but left if after a few months because of the difficult main stance, which i think will never work on the street,

and because of my JKD Training-Master, but thats another thing...

I am currently training Traditional TaeKwonDo, i like it, it trains my body quite good, but we always sparring in non-contact fights, and the most of the training goes to the "Hyong" (kata).
I got some problems with my legs too, i think my body isnt made for this leg spreading , however.

I thought about Aikido, because i took some lessons in simple Self-Defense and there was some Aikido technics.
I was suprised how good those locks work, and i and my training partner trained them as unwilling attacker too. Only a few failed with an unwilling attacker.
I´m going to drop TaeKwonDo and start Aikido, i accept the Spiritual Background of Aikido, i believe in it.

All i want to know is, Am i able (as an Aikidoka) to defend myself succsesfully against 2 types of people:

1. very Strong ones
and 2. (i know its skill question): Other Martial artists, especially BJJ, because most of all use BJJ.

I dont want to challenge them, i only want to be safe walking down the Street.

I hope you can help me out. thanks

[AikidoKevin]

Aikido works well against stronger (physically) people, Aikido is based on kenjutsu(sword)Movement, and joint locks and pressure points from Diato ryu Aiki Jujutsu. Its all about how you move you body and at what time you move your body that will keep you from being run down and unable to execute a technique. Any person no matter how large they are, feels pain and when a person commits himself to an attack and you can move the right way and at the right time, youve got one of the hardest parts of Aikido training but you only almost there! understanding the locks/pins/throws, and if you have a good teacher the Atemi points (striking) takes some time and alot of pratice. after a while in Aikido you start to understand how it works and you will be able to take the classical techniques you learn in class and use them as a modern street effective self defense. but it does take considerable time. problably in a year or two in karate, tae kwon do, judo, and some others, youll be a much better puncher/kicker and have more awarness than before. but in Aikido it WILL take you a bit longer, but the wait is worth it. when you understand how it works your limitless on technique. Aikido has no number of technique. I myself am 5'9" 155lbs and i work out everyday so im average size and i have decent amount of strength, but far from body builder or Hercules Status, but i train with a guy who is 6'4" 240lbs and is a body builder. i can easily throw him once he commits to an attack. but if im off in judging his movements and timing it becomes a physical battle and that im sure to lose.

As far has against other martial arts, it really does depend on how well you understand how Aikido works, everything has to be fluient and smooth if you do a technique in steps (first this, now this , ooh and this now) it wont work agianst Any MA. I myself have done some jujutsu, which i found to be one of, if not the best ground based arts around. Aikido in its advanced stages has pins and locks you can use in these situations in early stages in your trainging you might even pick them up on your own, it is then you will realize your Aikido is developing as it should, alot of parts of Aikido wil be up to you to figure out, which is great and will really suck you in an make you want more.

no one martial art is the best its how well you understand and use it. Ive trianed with some of my areas best Karate teachers and learned their kicks and stricks but i find the defensive parts of it lacking as .. it hurts.. some blocks in karate Hurt! i personally didnt like them. but the offessive tech is good. Jujutsu i liked alot i still do some just not to often, i find it works great with Aikido and they are technically(meaning technique based) almost the same, alot of the locks in Aikido are the same as the its jujutsu father..

go for it try it out and see if you like it. If you want a slightly more physical Aikido id suggest the Nihon Goshin Aikido System, i dont know where your located but most of the schools are on the east coast of the US in the NJ/Ny area..

[Jerik]

many thanks

to read all those things about Aikido makes it more and more intresting.

Im glad that you answered me, you seem like someone who really understand much about Aikido.

I really want to know more about the spiritual background of Aikido, i believe in the connection of Spirit and physical Action.

I thank you very much.

[AikidoKevin]

where are you located, if you in my area i invite you to come to a class and try it out for a week in both a regualr class and a private session if you like, a good sight about Aikido is www.aikidofaq.com

and the best Aikido messsage board is www.stevenseagal.com

[Jerik]

Im sorry, im locatet in Europe, a bit far away