When it comes to different martial arts, it's true that most of them try to balance body and mind, some more efficiently than others. They all thrive to self-improvement and provide excellent defense techniques as well. All eastern techniques have this spiritual part within, and it would be hard to imagine them without it.

Harmonized body and mind is a must. Even so, there are numerous other benefits in practicing these techniques. If you visit one Aikido Dojo San Francisco center, you may find out more about this particular teaching, and why it is so special, even compared with other popular martial arts, and why it really deserves you attention.

The name itself, Aikido, consists of three different words. The first one, 'Ai' stands for harmony. 'Ki' means spirit, but it also means energy, while 'do' stands for the path, or the way. There are different translations of this word, but it is really harmonious and spiritual path, or the way of spirit and harmony. In any case, you will find appealing outlook, great self-defense techniques and many other things there.

Although this is the youngest Japanese martial art, founded in the beginning of the twentieth century, by famous O-Sensei, or The Great Teacher, Morihel Ueshiba, it is bases on Traditional Japanese techniques and Samurai tactics. Actually, O-Sensei Morihel Ueshiba was the master of many other techniques, such as Jujitsu, Kenjutsu, and Sojitsu first, but really interested in spiritual and religious aspects.

Great Teacher had a flawless technique, as well as really amazing physical strength, and this combination allowed him to defend himself virtually without touching his attackers. He based his technique on harmonizing movements with the movements of the universe, achieving the unity of his body and mind, and without causing harm to others.

That's why this technique is just perfect for anyone, regardless of age or any other factors. And it brings, beside of a great ability of defending yourself, also many other benefits for your health, body and mind. It improves general and cardiovascular health, concentration, flexibility, physical strength and your general balance, to start with.

The point is in not only being able to defend yourself, but also in improving your self-confidence, your general health condition, in feeling better about yourself and in finding your life path. If you are interested only in learning how to fight and cause injuries, find some other type of training, this one is something entirely different.

So, comparing to other martial arts, this one is focused on defense, but without causing harm to your attacker. Most attacks are linear by nature, and Aikido uses circular movements to disarm those attacks, for example, using wrist locks. This way, you actually harmonize your movements with the movements of your attacker, unbalancing him without confronting him directly.

Well, Aikido is certainly the true Budo. This extraordinary martial art unites Samurai battle tactics, ancient Japanese martial arts techniques and harmonizing your body and mind. O-Sensei said the secret is in harmonizing with the universe. He also said that the real victory is the one over oneself, and this is probably the main principle of his philosophy.