Combat Aikido
Aikido, translated as "the way of harmony", is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. Ueshiba's goal was to create a martial art through which a practitioner could achieve the ability to defend himself without injuring his attacker.
Aikido emphasizes joining with an attack and redirecting the attacker's energy, as opposed to meeting force with force, and consists primarily of body throws and joint-locking techniques. The techniques of Aikido can, when applied judiciously, divert or immobilize rather than damage or kill. As a result, some consider Aikido to be a practical symbol of meeting aggression with an effective but merciful response, and finding harmony in conflict. Ueshiba declared, "To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace."
Combat Aikido is based on the physics principles of the human body. With proper training a smaller, weaker person can overcome a larger, stronger foe. In addition, a Fire and Water Aikido practitioner is taught to triumph against multiple opponent situations, an armed opponent, and even multiple armed opponents. For these reasons, Combat Aikido is often the style of choice for those students primarily interested in self-defense.
Many local law enforcement personnel, SWAT Teams and security teams regularly train at the American School of Empty Hand Fighting. Due to the ability to effectively subdue and control an opponent without inflicting injury, Combat Aikido is the main system Sifu Collins teaches these individuals.
