I just came across this great documentary on Aikido. It’s produced by NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster. The series featured different martial arts and this episode is all about Aikido. I think it’s pretty good. I’m often trying to explain Aikido, how it works and what makes it different from other martial arts, and this does a pretty good job.
Samurai Spirit was a TV documentary on NHK World from 2008 to 2009, focusing on the traditional martial arts of Japan. It was hosted by Nicholas Pettas, a Kyokushin Karate practioner and former K-1 Grand Prix champion. Each episode focused on a particular martial art (and any sub style within that art), where Nicholas would travel around Japan, meet some of the high ranking masters in the art and participate in classes to learn some of the techniques. He would then sit down with the masters to learn about the philosophy and unique aspects of the art. Finally, each episode would end with Nicholas reflecting back on what he has learned from this experience and its relation to the samurai spirit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs4gTZjSqJc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
If you’re at Western, the campus Aikido club meets three times a week–Wednesday and Friday evening, and Sunday morning–and it’s just $25 a semester in addition to campus rec dues. Come play with us and learn to throw professors around!
If you’re in London, come play with us at the Aki Budo Centre, just south of Adelaide and Oxford. Beginners welcome Tuesdays at 7 and Saturdays at 10. Stop by and watch and give it a try!
And if you’re in the wide world beyond Western and beyond London, there are Aikido clubs all over the world. It’s a beautiful martial art.
