The Principles of Aikido

Aikido has a deep spiritual connection in which we blend our energy with that of our opponent to bring a peaceful resolution. This energy is 'Ki' and is represented as the Circle, Triangle and Square.

Circle : Harmony, Movement

Triangle: Conflict, Posture

Square: Resolution, Technique

Triangle Circle Square

Triangle - Circle - Square

Aikido Terminology

Techniques

Aiki Kokyu Nage
Aiki breath power throw

Aiki Nage
Technically any Aiki throw, but see own Sensei for specific throw required for gradings

Aiki Otoshi
Aiki drop, again technically any Aiki drop but normally Sukui Nage is the one required

Gokyo (Ude Nobashi)
5th Set of techniques (Weapons taking)

Hiji Gaeshi
Elbow turn

Hiji Kimi Osae
Elbow bending pin (Elbow to elbow)

Ikkyo (Ude Osae)
First immobilisation

Irimi Nage
Entering throw

Irimitsuki
Entering throw

Juji Garami Nage
Cross arm throw

Jo Tori
Stick taking techniques

Kaiten Nage
Rotary throw

Kihon No Waza
Basic techniques

Kiri Otoshi
Cutting drop

Ko Ho Tento Ukemi
Rear rolling breakfall

Kokyo Nage
Breath power throw

Kokyo Ho
Breath power method

Kote Gaeshi
Wrist turn over

Kote Hineri (Sankyo)
Third immobilisation

Kote Mawashi (Nikkyo)
Second immobilisation

Nikkyo (Kote Mawashi)
Second immobilisation

Sankyo (Kote Hineri)
Third immobilisation

Shiho Nage
Four direction throw

Sokumen Irimi Nage
Second form entering throw

Sumi Otoshi
Corner drop

Tekube Osae (Yonkyo)
Fourth immobilisation

Tenchi Nage
Heaven and earth throw

Ude Garami Nage
Arm entangled throw

Ude Kimi Nage
Arm bending throw

Ude Kimi Osae
Arm bending pin (Hand to elbow)

Ude Nobashi (Gokyo)
5th Set of techniques (Weapons taking)

Ude Osae (Ikkyo)
First immobilisation

Ushiro Chudan Tsuki Kote Gaeshi
Rear punch wrist turn over

Ushiro Kiri Otoshi
Rearwards cutting drop

Ushiro Otoshi
Rearwards drop

Yama Biki No Michi
Path of a mountain echo

Yoko Guruma
Side wheel

Yoko Wakaree
Side separation

Yokomen Kiri Komi
Cutting strike to the side of head, either with the edge of the hand or the edge of a tanto

Yonkyo (Tekube Osae)
Fourth immobilisation

Attacks

Ai Hanmi Katate Tori
Right to Right / Left to Left wrist grasp

Chudan Tsuki
Thrust or punch to stomach or solar plexus

Gyaku Hanmi Katate Tori
Right to left or left to right wrist grasp

Gyaku Yokomen Oroshi
Reverse strike to the side of the head

Hiji Tori
Grasp to the elbow

Jodan Tsuki
Punch to the head

Kata Katate Tori
Grasp to the shoulder and wrist of one arm

Kata Tori
Grasp to the shoulder

Kata Tori Menuchi
Grasp of one shoulder and by a strike to the head

Katate Eri Tori
Single hand grasp to collar or lapel

Katate Mune Tori
Single hand grasp to front of upper chest

Katate Tori
Single hand grasp to wrist

Mune Tori Yokomen Kiri Komi
Single hand grasp to front of upper chest followed by a strike to the side of the head with free hand.

Mune Tsuki
Punch or thrust to the upper chest

Ryo Hiji Tori
Grasp of both elbows

Ryo Kata Tori
Grasp of both shoulders

Ryote Eri Tori
Two handed grasp of collar or lapels

Ryote Mochi
Two handed grasp of one wrist

Ryote Tori
Both hands grasping both wrists

Shomen Kiri Komi
Cutting blow to head either with the edge of hand

Shomen Oroshi
Downward blow to head with clenched fist

Shomen Uchi
Strike to top of head

Sode Tori Yokomen Kiri Komi
Sleeve hold followed by blow to side of head

Ushiro
Attack from behind

Ushiro Chudan Tsuki
Strike to centre of the back

Ushiro Eri Tori
Collar grasp from behind

Ushiro Katate Eri Tori
Single handed rear collar grasp

Ushiro Katate Tori Kubi Shimi
Rear one arm strangle & wrist grasp

Ushiro Kubi Shimi
Rear two hand strangle

Ushiro Kubi Shimi Ude Gatami
Rear one arm strangle & straight arm lock

Ushiro Ryo Hiji Tori
Both elbows grasped from behind

Ushiro Ryo Kata Tori
Both shoulders grasped from behind

Ushiro Ryote Kubi Shimi
Two handed choke from behind

Ushiro Ryote Tori
Both wrists grasped from behind

Yoko Gedan Tsuki
Blow or thrust to the side of the body

Yoko Nanami Oblique
Strike diagonally across the body

Yoko Tsuki
Side thrust or blow

Yokomen Kiri Komi
Cutting strike to the side of head,

Yokomen Oroshi
'Hooking' blow to side of head

General Terminology

Aikido
The 'way' of harmony

Ashi
Leg or foot

Ayumi Ashi
Normal walking

Atemi
Strike (hit, punch or kick)

Bokken
Wooden sword

Bokken Tori
Wooden sword taking techniques

Dojo
Training hall or room

Hanmi
Posture in relation to opponent

Hanmi Handachi
Tori Kneeling, Uke Standing

Hidari
Left hand side

Hiki Taoshi
Pulling down techniques (ie. Sankyo)

Irimi
To enter or entering

Jime/Shime
To tighten or strangle

Jo
Four foot stick or staff

Jo Tori
Stick taking techniques

Jo Waza
Techniques performed using a stick

Kamae
Posture

Kamiza
The 'shrine' where O Sensei's picture is placed)

b.Paper

c.Gods

Kata
a.Form or drill type of training method

b.Shoulder

c.One

Katame Waza (Osae Waza)
Hold down techniques

Kihon No Waza
Basic techniques

Keikogi
Practice kit

Ko Ho Tento Ukemi - Rear rolling breakfall

Kokyo Ho
Breath power method

Kube Nage
Neck throw

Mai Ai
Correct distance between Tori & Uke

Mai Ukemi
Forward breakfall

Nage
To throw

Nage Waza
Throwing techniques

Obi
Belt

Osae
Pin (ie. Osae Waza = 'pin down' techniques)

Osae Waza (Katame Waza)
Hold Down/Pin techniques

Oshi
To push (Nikkyo is an oshi taioshi or 'push down' technique)

Oshi Taoshi
Pushing down techniques (ie. Ikkyo)

Randori
Freestyle practise (neither attacks nor defences named)

Rei
Bow (ie. tachi rei = standing bow, performed by students to each other, before practising techniques)

Renraku Waza
Combination techniques

Renzoku Waza
Continuation techniques

Ryo Gan Tsuki - Two finger thrust to the eyes, can be used as attack or defence

Seiza
Kneel or sit down

Shikko
Knee walking

Shizentai
Natural, upright posture

Sode
Sleeve

Soto
Outside or outer

Suwari Waza
Techniques performed with Tori & Uke kneeling

Tachi
Standing (ie. Tachi rei = standing bow)

Tai Sabaki
Body movement

Taiho Jutsu
Arrest techniques (with or without a baton)

Tanto
Knife

Tanto Tori
Knife taking techniques

Tanto Waza
Knife techniques

Tatami
Practise mats

Tate
Vertical or standing

Te
Hand

Tenkan
Outside or bypass

Ten Kai Ashi
Pivot

Tenkan Ashi
Step pivot

Tori
a.Defender

b.To grasp, hold in hands.

Tsugi Ashi
Sliding step or method of walking whereby the rear foot slides up to, but never passes, the front foot

Tsuki
Poke, stab or thrust forward (ie. mune tsuki = punch to chest), pronounced ski

Uchi
Inside or inner

Ude
Arm

Uke
To receive, commonly used as a term to describe the attacker, or person the technique is being applied to.

Ukemi
Breakfall

Undo
Exercise (ie. Ko Ho Tento Undo = Backward rolling exercise)

Ushiro Ukemi
Rear breakfall

Waza
Technique, commonly used to refer to a set of techniques (ie. Nage Waza = throwing techniques)

Yubi
Fingers or toes

Yoko Hiki Taoshi
Side pushing down technique

Yoko Oshi Taoshi
Side pulling down technique

Yoko Ukemi
Side breakfall

Zanshin
Awareness

Zempo Kaiten Ukemi
Forward rolling breakfall