Anybody done Aikido?Had my first lesson last week.?

Question

What do you think of it?

Answer 1

Aikido is one of THE most effective martial arts for what it's used for, and I wish there were clubs around my area.

Answer 2

Hi everyone, well I practice Aikido and as you will see most of the first technics you learn aren´t too practical if you want to apply them in the street per say, cause in fact they teach you the basics to learn a short and directly one with time. You will see that they are like dancing as many say. But once you get 4 years of practice you will be able to apply those technics in an effective and fast way. This is why most of the people see aikido as a soft martial art, it takes at least a couple of years till you can apply it in a fight, but by that time you will find that you will try to not use it cause it can be dangerous. It's not like Tae Kwon Do for example where after a couple of month you are ready for a combat. In Aikido lessons only advanced belts practice in a real way, cause they know how to fall to not get hurt by the technic. Hope this has helped you.

Answer 3

Then I will speak in regards to the fact that I've sparred with a few aikidoka, and my entry level knowledge of the art.

As I said in a previous post about it, Aikido can be a very good art in the right hands. It's a very good cross-training art as well: We just had someone join our school that does Aikido and Muay Thai as his approach to MMA (I think he said something about joining a team). He's picking up really well.
On my own experience: Sparring with a good aikidoka will be like sparring with any other good martial artist. If they catch you (Or if you catch someone ;) ): They could get a nice throw or two. :p
Aikido is derived from the same base art as Hapkido: Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu. A very practical approach to demos, and street situations in the right hands.

I haven't watched any Aikido demos (Except for online)... :p
I hope your school is giving you good training. If it does: You'll be prepared. Good luck.

Answer 4

You are going to get a lot of people telling you it's useless .With only one lesson anything anyone tells you is not going to help you judge thier answer.
Most peoples exposure is by way of demos which in no way reflect the true effectiveness of AIKIDO.

Answer 5

my dad does it and loves it for improving his mental aptitude, balance, health etc...some people say its useless but its does teach some practical methods my dad has learned locks similar to grappling arts such as a shoulder lock, and achilles leg lock. however he and i agree most of the takedowns and actual defense from an attacker arent too practical its usually against someone just grabbing you of throwing only one attack so if you encounter someone who isnt just grabbing you and trying to slam you or throwing combos your kinda screwed. also compared to other arts it takes longer to get proficient at it