Product Description

Aikido-a martial art deriving its effectiveness, like judo and karate, from the flow of ki
-- techniques that, when thoroughly mastered, enable the gentle to overcome the strong
-- exercise and sport for men and women of all ages, based on natural movements and harmony of mind and body
Ancient theory, modern practice: Dynamic Aikido brings together the whole spectrum of theoretical and applied aikido. Through it, one can become perfectly attuned to one's opponent, can sense his intentions and turn his movements to one's own advantage. Comprehensive and fully illustrated, Dynamic Aikido presents the basic postures and stances, fundamental techniques and applications: how to cope with a frontal attack, how to avoid an attack from the rear, how to sense and thwart the pickpocket. An essential companion for every beginner, a vital reference for students of all levels.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #269384 in Books
• Published on: 1977-10-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Language Notes
Text: English, Japanese (translation)

About the Author

GOZO SHIODA, born in Tokyo in 1915, became the outstanding student of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of modern aikido. Holder of the ninth rank black belt, he founded the Yoshinkan school of aikido, of which he is chief instructor. He is also chief instructor for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the Air Self defense Force, the Japanese National Railways, Sophia University, Meiji Gakuin University and Takushoku University, his alma mater.

Customer Reviews

Thin but thorough book
This is an excellent little book. It doesn't cover much material, but what is here is covered in great depth. One of my karate instructors used to quote a japanese proverb, "Although the door is small, go deeply inward," by which he meant that you should study a small number of techniques, but learn each one well. This book takes that approach, and really, I can't argue with it. Martial arts is not rocket science. Half a dozen solid techniques, well executed, is really all any of us need.

Pros:

This book covers Yoshinkan aikido, which is a very practical style without all the spiritual mumbo-jumbo you see in a lot of other books. The author gets straight to the point and describes, in wonderful detail, ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo, shihon-nage, and kote-gaish. (His spelling is weird, but the techniques are the same as the ones I learned by those names.) He also covers irimi-nage and hiji-jime, but not in quite as much detail. There is also a great section in the back on practical applications, i.e. using aikido to defend yourself.

Cons:

Yoshinkan aikido insists on turning the front foot slightly outward. This is orthodox for that style and really not a "con," but it just bugs me.

The sections on ki exercises and breakfalls are too short. This is the only reason I don't give the book five stars.

Conclusion:

You can't learn martial arts from a book. However, if you are part of a dojo, reference books can be useful. Dynamic Aikido fills this niche well.

Breaking down the art
I own several Aikido instructional and philosophical books and this book, I found, is the most helpful. It breaks down the fundamentals of the art with descriptive pictures and commentary. I thoroughly recommend this book to beginners and advanced Aikidoka.

Ultimate introduction to real Aikido
Dynamic Aikido by Gozo Shioda Sensei is the first book on Aikido I ever bought. To date I have not seen any book so well written and thought out as an introduction to Aikido as a martial art.

Many other books on the market concentrate on the spiritual or even meta-physcial aspects of Aikido and to be honest, should be stocked in the Theological or even fantasy / Sci-Fi sections of the book store.

This book brings it all down to the ground, and shows step by step with amazing detail and accuracy all the basic techniques of Yoshinkan Aikido.

Though no substitute for a real class, this book is the ultimate text book for the beginner Aikidoka.