“In Japanese, Aikido literally means “the way of harmony with energy.” Having witnessed firsthand the carnage of WWII, Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) argued that martial arts must “cultivate a spirit of loving protection for all things.” The manifestation of this principle is “musubi,’ or blending with an aggressive intention or action, then neutralizing the conflict. In an Aikido class, students learn cooperatively, each practicing the role of thrower (nage) and thrown (uke). Narrow ideas of victory and defeat eventually dissolve.
Hiroshi Ikeda has cultivated this spirit since he opened Boulder Aikikai, in 1980. His philosophy is to awaken and open the mind by honing the instrument of the body. His method is training, training, training. He runs a martial arts supply company by day, teaches classes by night, leads Aikido seminars around the world on weekends – all while raising a loving family with his wife and business partner, Ginger Ikeda.”
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“There is also an approach of taking strikes by withstanding pain, deliberately toughening up and tightening up various body parts. Aside from the ultimately destructive effect of such practice, it would only work for a visible, anticipated strike, while in place. But what if you have not seen the strike come or if you were on the move? Then you would need alternate relaxation of muscles.
The following post by Autrelle Holland is excerpted from a thread currently in progress in the Aikido Journal forums:
“The word mindset is often bandied about in combative training, though it doesn’t seem to be easily defined nor well applied in practice. We prefer the term combative intent. While most people who use the term mindset seem to be referring to a “correct” mindset, inherently the word itself is basically neutral: one can either a positive mindset or a negative mindset. Combative intent, however, implies the will or volition to carry out a combative action. Nevertheless, whether using the word mindset or intent, a rose by another name is just as sweet… The problem is not in the term itself, but in understanding what it means. And the meaning and learning the appropriate use of mindset can literally be a matter of life-or-death. In all training for real combat, the ultimate aim is to train the most effective combative intent (or mindset) possible. What that intent should be often is not clear. And a lack of clear combative intent is reflected in and by combative performance (and behavior).
“Okay, okay! This one was just too funny to pass up. Thanks to “FloridaTim” over on BJJboard.com for posting it. It is not really MMA vs Aikido, but it COULD BE right? While it is humorous for sure, I think it does a good job of illustrating logic (or not!) of “How does “My Art” do against “X”. If nothing else, it will entertain you for a few minutes.
At morning practice today I thought I’d pause for a second or two at either end of each technique. At the beginning I’d center myself, and at the end I’d let the experience soak in for a bit before going on to the next technique. I’d take things one at a time, as I’ve often been advised to do. 
“Not long ago, I got the opportunity to have a chat with one of the most notorious female Aikido experts, Micheline Tissier, who holds the rank of 6th dan Aikikai. She was the first European woman to get awarded such a high grade by Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba and one of the too rare women to occupy a technical function within her federation. I was absolutely delighted when she accepted to answer my questions and discovered that she was of a very direct and honest character, never dodging a question and she often surprised me with the sharpness of the views she expressed on many subjects.”
“Thirty-nine years ago, I was practicing in the Aikido club at the University of California at Berkeley. I was a new fourth kyu, and I remember looking at my partner and saying: “I know that I’m supposed to go along with you when you attack, but I don’t know what to go along with.” Since then, one element I have focused on in my AikidoÊ practice is sensing what uke is actually doing as she or he attacks.
“We certainly do not become physically stronger to the same extent that our Aikido improves. Sure, during the early days we may see some increase in physical bulk as our bodies become accustomed to taking ukemi and receiving the impact of kicks and punches, however not inline with our abilities to throw those bigger than ourselves. So what is it within ourselves that improves?
This special consists of the four Nishio Aikido DVDs–including the newly released “Katadori Menuchi / Aikido Toho Iai” DVD–expertly demonstrated and explained by Shoji Nishio Sensei, one of the top aikido instructors of the postwar era. This set also includes the outstanding Yurusu Budo book, the only book written by Nishio Sensei during his lifetime. By purchasing the set of DVDs and book together you will save over 30% compared to the retail price. See below for detailed descriptions of each of the set items.
It was a gamble building a dojo two and a half hours from the nearest city and 15 minutes from the nearest town. A gamble that would have made a real-estate agent with his ‘location, location, location’ rule shake his head.