Aikido

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Aikido is often translated as ‘the way of harmony’ or ‘the way of unifying life energy’.

A key element of Aikido is to defend yourself while also protecting your attacker from injury. Aikido techniques consist of entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an opponent's attack, and are therefore characterised by agile, free and expansive movements, and not strength or brute force.

Several Alexander Technique teachers practise or have practised Aikido and some have written about the parallels between the Technique and Aikido.

Writings

• ‘The joy of learning’ by Diana Bradley mentions how the Alexander Technique helps her Aikido.[1]
• ‘The Alexander Technique and Aikido’ by Peter Trimmer; on the parallels between the Technique and Aikido, how they are mutually beneficial and supportive.[2]
• ‘Exploring the space of inhibition’ by Cathy Pollock considers the similarities and how the two disciplines feed each other.[3]
• ‘Whack! Smack! Ka-Pow! Teaching Alexander Technique as a martial art’ by Pedro de Alcantara on some parallels between the Technique and Aikido.[4]
• ‘Tapping into the Well of Chi’ by Alex Farkas suggests that the ki energy in T’ai chi, Qi gong and Aikido resembles what is direction in the Alexander Technique.[5]

References