What is best to combine with aikido ?

Answer 1

Aikido is a very circular martial art. There are a few other disciplines that use Aikido, and some that use "some" circular movements (though not nearly as much as Aikido).

I'd suggest Kenpo, and Jujitsu to compliment Aikido, for these reasons:

1. Aikido is a defensive art, which can be somewhat limiting.

2. Aikido has a lot of trap/grab in their technique. This can be tricky to pull off during an actual encounter.

3. Aikido emphasises using the opponents body (movement) against them.

4. Aikido doesn't really emphasise striking.

5. Aikido may not emphasis "real life" situations (knife, bat, bear hug, choke).


Kenpo is a form of Karate. There are many divisions, but the one I'm familiar with came to the US via Japan to Hawaii, and then to the mainland. Kenpo incoporates Karate, Juijitsu, and Aikido. Some of the techniques your already familiar with would be found there. Kenpo emphasises stand up striking, but also has a nice balance of ground fighting, throws, grappling, and submission moves built in. Kenpo is often noted for it's multiple hand strikes, and combination moves. Kenpo is also known for it's "real-life" situational training (knife, bat, choke, bearhug, multiple advisary attack, etc).

Jujitsu is a more grappling/ground fighting strategy, with emphasis on choking/submission/bone or joint manipulation. Where Aikido allows you to get the person on the ground, at times the person may hold onto you-and thus drag you down with them. At this point-Aikido becomes less useful, and having some skill in ground fighting would be very useful.

I was lucky enough to train at a school that taught Kenpo full time, and offered a class or two a week in Jujitsu. Great stuff, and very fun!

Good luck!

Answer 2

This question is semi-synonomous to asking "what type of MA should I take?" Depending on who replies, you will get a whole variety of answers.

Personally, I believe that to be an effective Martial Artist, you should balance what I refer to as the big 3. This means that you should have an understanding of Striking, Grappling/Throwing, and "center" styles such as Aikido, Hapkido, or even Tai Chi.

There are many great styles for each of these, and you must balance what you are looking for with what is available and able to fit in your training schedule.

Personally, my base style is Taekwondo, with balance in Judo and Jui jitsu, and most recently in Aikido. However, you may decide that, with a strong Aikido background, you may want to improve by taking a Karate or Muay thai to improve Atemi. Or you may decide to learn some grappling to provide options instead of pinning techniques.

It's all preference, and there are no bad answers to this. Any additional training, used to make you a better martial artist can only benefit you.

Answer 3

Aikido, and Brazilian Jutjisu would be great.

Also, if you like striking , go With Kickboxing, or Boxing, or Muay Thai.
Like the person below me said, Meditation is great, but you need to do more than just that, for an all around type of style try Silat.

Answer 4

i think that muay thai is a very good martial art to blend with aikido,(tony jaa did it) aikido is a good internal martial art,but for striking i would suggest a martial art that allows you to strike without putting down your defenses,striking requires physical strenght and precision,you want to try something that gives you the highest chance of hitting and the lowest possibility of getting caught in a grab or counter,personally i would always go for bajiquan (i know its a rare martial art but try and research it,you would love it and its great to mix with aikido,but if you can't then try muay thay its effective and can be quite devastating.

Answer 5

Meditation.

It'll help clear your mind to become better at aikido, so you won't need to know 2 styles...

Answer 6

Judo works very well with aikido, probably better then any other style.

Answer 7

judo and karate and silat