Product Description

Aikido students and enthusiasts the world over will be delighted with this English translation of Gozo Shioda's "hidden principles," finally made available by the Yoshinkan school of aikido. An outstanding student of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, Shioda, who taught thousands of people in his lifetime, left a profound legacy, successfully teaching the spiritual and practical applications of a martial art that could all too easily become mired in one or the other.

In this sequel to DYNAMIC AIKIDO, the preeminent master continues his explanation of the essential principles but in finer detail. Comprehensive and fully illustrated, TOTAL AIKIDO covers the basic postures and movements with special emphasis on certain key points for perfecting one's technique to achieve maximum effect with the minimum of effort. Demonstrations are provided in a dōjō setting, with helpful pointers for avoiding common mistakes. To enable students to develop greater strength and control, they are shown how to increase their speed, shift their center of gravity, and synchronize movements with those of their opponents.

This is an essential work for students of all levels, a treasury of expert information.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31787 in Books
• Published on: 1997-02-15
• Original language: Japanese
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9784770020581
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

From the Author
The basics are only a guiding principle. Your strongest posture is the one that fits your constitution. That cannot be taught to you, you have to find it for yourself. It is not a question of widening your stance or narrowing it, if the truth be told. But, people will do what is comfortable for them, so if you allow them to, they will just make it up for themselves. That is why, you must always return to the basics. This is what is important. —Gozo Shioda

About the Author
GŌZŌ 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 Yōshinkan 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

Excellent Beginner's Manual
I've purchased several Aikido/Martial Arts books in the past few years and I must say that this one is the best. It is difficult, if not impossible, to describe Aikido techniques in text; thus, proper illustration and easy to follow photographic sequences are critical to any Aikido text. This book has the most illuminating graphic representations of Aikido techniques of any that I have read so far. They even thought to number the photos in the sequences (a supprisingly novel concept). The accompanying description and explanation are quite well written. I wish all Aikido books were this well done.

It should be said that this book was written by Gozo Shidoa, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. Yoshinkan is a style that your local dojo may or may not practice. However, I find myself continually comming back to this book despite the fact that my own dojo doesn't practice Yoshinkan.

Total Aikido: practical, precise & no-nonsens
This is the best book on aikido I have in a extended collection. Yoshinkan Aikido is explained in a very detailed manner, exactly pointing out the do's and don'ts of aikido's basic techniques, both ura and omote as well as tachi as suwari waza.

I myself find it especially helpful to review a specific technique when I encounter problems with them myself. Sometimes the fluent movement from my instructor in class is a bit too fluent to pinpoint certain details. Shioda's book offers the possibility to keep a certain detail in mind for the next time.

In any case, Total Aikido is a buy you'll find hard to regret.

The best Aikido book out there!
This is a great overview of Aikido. It explains the principles of aiki without getting into too much philosophy. The author mentions that Aikido is 70% striking ("atemi") which is very different from what you'll hear from most Aikidoka. Most Aikidoka that I come into contact with seem to forget that Aikido is a martial art and not a dance. The best set-up for an Aiki technique is to first belt your opponent.

The basic techniques (which is all you'll really ever need for self-defense) are explained in detail and demonstrated with clear black-n-white photos.

If you're already a martial artist, these techniques will be a great supplement to your existing arsenal.