Aikido Exercises

Aikido exercises can be divided into two broad categories... The stretching exercises and warm-ups done at the beginning of each class, and the repetitive drills which give you the 'building block' skills your Aikido techniques will rely upon to work right.

The stretching part of Aikido exercises involves, for example, bending and touching your toes, sitting with your legs spread open wide, and stretching towards each foot in turn, then down the center. Or placing your (bare) feet, heels together, and pulling the feet towards your buttocks - then trying to push your knees to the ground on either side of you. (Ouch!)

Stretching exercise reduce your chances of accidental injury while training, and warm up exercises make sure your muscles have been loosened so they can work faster, and your heart rate is also increased even before you start being thrown (falling) or throwing your training partners.

Then there are Aikido exercises to strengthen and toughen your wrists - this is in preparation for the Aikido wrist throws which your training partners will do to you.

And further Aikido exercises teach you to stand in correct (balanced) posture, to keep your center of gravity low, and to get your arm, leg and body movements correct.

There is even a set of Aikido exercises known as "balance breakers" where you break your partner's balance, but do not throw him or her.

That comes later...

Now we look at some Aikido History.