Thinking of switching to Aikido from Judo. Logistical, self defense and showbiz reasons mainly...

Any Aikidokas in here? Aikikai, Yoshinkan, Shodokan don't matter...

None? That's surprising...

I found Judo to be more practical than Aikido. That is, unless you've pretty much mastered Aikido.

That would be true if you've mastered anything really gdw...

I have other plans other than self defense anyway.

However, I have to disagree on which is more effective.

More effective for what exactly?

Knife disarms and blade/weapon retention Aikido excels in imho...

Sword and Bokken techniques are almost non existent in Judo. Disarming, retention or attacking. (I said "almost" ok... )

I think most people misinterpret Aikido to be an unarmed Martial Art. It's techniques are very much sword based and if you think of it that way, all the wrist grabbing makes sense.

But Judo rocks when it comes to unarmed grappling. I've done it and BJJ, I can attest to that as fact. That it rocks.

So any Aikidokas here?

So why do you want to defend against swords and bokken?

Knives my friend...

Knives...

Long and short sharp knives...

Very prevalent here in Malaysia when assault happens. (As I would imagine anywhere else as they're so much easier to get hold of as opposed to swords or bokkens or guns.)

Not even joking about that.


Also, I have other plans for Aikido for use in Acting and Mentalism. And I like it's "peaceful" attitude. The breathing exercises are really great for overcoming stress btw...


I am glad to discuss this but where are the Aikidokas I'm looking for?

Well, though Judo does have some knife defences, you are correct that Aikido has more, and probably better.
As for the comment about mastering, what I meant was, Judo will be usable without mastering it, yet Aikido is pretty much all for show until you excel at it. Not that that means it's useless. There is a lot to be gained from Aikido.

We are in agreement gdw...



I guess I just have to wait a while for Aikidokas to reply...

Still no Aikidokas? I'm saddened...

Took Nihon Goshin Aikido for about 6 months some 20 years ago.
An injury stopped me and I never went back to it.

I used to train in Aikido many years back. I trained at the NY Aikikai in those years. Yamada Sensaei, Sugano Sensei and Sensei Donovan Waite were the instructors I remember the most from those days. Aikido is a wonderful MA.

In the years since, I have concentrated on Escrima and some Silat as well. Just for fun, I'm mixing in a little BJJ.

Ahh... A Pesilat. Salam Nom de Guerre...

I'm in Malaysia, one of the birthplaces of Silat. Have done three styles of Silat already, thinking of doing Aikido. Aikikai.

Might still continue the BJJ but money's tight right now.

Salam to you too, Pakar Ilusi. Three styles of Silat! I'm jealous!

I am rather new to Silat, but I am intrigued by it. Do you know of Pak Herman Suwanda? Antonio Somera is the GM of Bahala Na (aka Giron Arnis Escrima), and he was one of Pa Herman's head students along with Steve Tarani. I have had a little exposure to Mande Muda, and I hope to continue as time and opportunity allows.

No need to be jealous, it's just a perk of being in Malaysia...

The late Herman Suwanda is a legend. Antonio Sumera and Steve Tarani are very skilled practitioners of the Arts. Learn from them any time you can.

I am now in the midst of starting Aikido. The reason for asking if there are Aikidokas here...

Sandan in both Yoshinkai and Kihara

Ahh... Sensei.

I knew there were Aikidokas here.