My style of martial arts is 
Judo and Aikido

I’m a person that likes the rough and tumble martial arts because, I like to keep myself strong and fit. At the same time I am pretty light and could easily be pushed around, except that most guys don’t know I study Judo. I like to keep it to myself, but it’s my secret weapon. By mastering Judo, I can use my balance and skill to defeat a much larger opponent. It is also great fun.

Judo is best known for its dynamic, powerful throws, but after getting the opponent to the mat we also continue grappling with pins, chokes and joint locks. In class we learn new techniques, and we have free practice time to try them with different partners. Sometimes we practice for self defense and other times we prepare for Judo tournaments. I like the competition to test my abilities and improve my skills in actual combat. I earned my rank, the black belt, by winning at tournaments. My next goal is to try out for the US Olympic Judo Team! Oh yes, special thanks to my teacher Sensei Neil Ohlenkamp.

The Japanese word “Judo” means “Gentle Way”. The principle of gentleness teaches the most efficient or flexible use of technique, rather than the use of brute force to defeat an attacker. By giving way I can use the attacker’s own strength against him, often subduing him with minimum force and injury. Many of the principles I learn in Judo also help me in life, and the hard training definitely develops my character making me a better person.

Author: Sensei Neil Ohlenkamp. Go to Teen Central then go to Meet the Masters, you can link to his web site from there.

The idea of a non-violent martial art seems at first to be paradoxical and self-contradictory. But in this respect, Aikido is perhaps the most unique and beautiful of all the martial arts: it is defensive and non-aggressive both in its philosophy and techniques, yet incredibly versatile and practical.

Aikidoists do not try to initiate attacks, win fights or defeat opponents. Instead, they seek to control and neutralize an attack not through sheer physical strength, but rather through flowing circular motions that blend with the energy of an attack and redirect that energy back against the attacker.

Instead of directly controlling an attack, the techniques of Aikido are designed to harmonize with the power and direction of the attack and convert it into a force that will unbalance the attacker and render him or her helpless. Attacks are then neutralized by the use of various wrist locks and arm pins, rather than crippling kicks or blows.

The Japanese word “Aikido” is made up of three characters: Ai, Ki, and Do. Ai means to join, unify, or harmonize. Ki means energy or spirit, particularly a universal life force, essence, or the forces of nature. Do means a path or way of life, and signifies that Aikido involves that not only self-defense techniques, but also positive character-building ideals which a person can incorporate into his or her life. Taken together, the three characters mean THE WAY OF HARMONY WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE UNIVERSE.

Although Aikido does not require physical strength, with regular practice strength will develop as well as agility, coordination, flexibility, balance, stamina, and alertness.

Aikido practice is as much a mental and spiritual exercise as well as a physical one. Regular and continuous practice teaches Aikido students to coordinate and unify their minds and bodies so that they remain centered and calm in the face of physical attacks or other forms of aggression. Sustained practice not only improves concentration, self-awareness, and self-confidence, but also provides practitioners with a sense of well-being and a heightened resistance to stress.

Classes are conducted in a harmonious non-competitive manner with an emphasis on working with various partners rather than individually. Advanced students and senior students help beginners to learn the basic falls, rolls and techniques. In partner practice, students take turns being the attacker and defender, thus gaining a sensitivity to and awareness of their partner’s movements and well-being. This cooperative rather than competitive training method creates a friendly, helpful atmosphere in the dojo and fosters a spirit of mutual trust and protection. This in turn allows Aikido students to practice a powerful martial art in an active yet non-violent manner.

Much of the practice involves techniques for defending against empty-handed attacks, such as punches or wrist and shoulder grabs. Because many empty-handed Aikido movements are derived from the use of classical Japanese weapons, techniques using or defending against weapons such as the bokken (wooden sword), jo (4 ˝ foot wooden staff), and tanto (knife) are also taught. Weapons practice also helps students understand the timing and distance of attacks.