" Which One of the Aikido Styles are You Best Suited to? Learn How to Choose the Right One! "

Today, there are a wide variety of Aikido styles, practised by millions of students around the world. There are several different styles of Aikido that you can choose from, and you may prefer one or another, depending on your needs and past experiences.

The larger and better known, all have a headquarters in Japan with a large international following.

The 1st generation style is Aikikai, which is associated with the family of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba. 2nd generation Aikido styles were founded by direct students of the founder.

A number of other styles have been developed over time, some of which have a historical lineage back to Morihei, and others that trace back to other Aiki arts.

Aikikai has remained centered on the family of Morihei Ueshiba, and is currently headed by the founder's grandson, Moriteru Ueshiba.

The earliest 2nd generation independent styles of Aikido were...

Yoseikan Aikido, founded by Minoru Mochizuki in 1931.

Manseikan Aikido, founded by Kanshu Sunadomari in 1954.

Yoshinkan Aikido founded by Gozo Shioda in 1955.

Shodokan Aikido, founded by Kenji Tomiki in 1967.

The emergence of these Aikido styles came before the founder's death and did not cause any major upheavals, with the exception of Shodokan Aikido, which caused some controversy as it introduced a unique rule-based competition that some felt was contrary to the spirit of Aikido.

After Ueshiba's death, additional styles of Aikido emerged...

Ki Society - Another event that caused significant controversy was the departure of the Aikikai Honbu Dojo's chief instructor Koichi Tohei, in 1974. Tohei left as a result of a disagreement with the son of the founder, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who at that time headed the Aikikai Foundation. The disagreement was over the proper role of ki development in regular training.

Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido founded by Koichi Tohei in 1974.

Iwama Ryu, as taught by Morihiro Saito, continues to be part of the Aikikai.

Suenaka-ha Tetsugaku-ho Wadokai Aikido, founded by Roy Y. Suenaka in 1975. Kobayashi aikido, founded by Hirokazu Kobayashi.

A number of additional styles of Aikido developed over time...

Shin'ei Taido is a style closely related to aikido, founded in 1956 by Noriaki Inoue, a nephew and pre-war student of Morihei Ueshiba.

Tendoryu Aikido, founded by Kenji Shimizu in 1982. Founded the "Shimizu Dojo" in 1969, renamed Tendokan in 1975.

Kokikai Aikido International, founded in 1986 by Shuji Maruyama.

Fugakukai International Association, founded in 1982, has roots in the Shodokan style, but without the competition element.

Yoshokai, founded by Takashi Kushida in 1991.

Aikido Yuishinkai International, founded by Koretoshi Maruyama in 1996.

Keijutsukai Aikido, founded by Thomas H. Makiyama, and officially established in February 1980, in Tokyo.

The above Aikido styles can trace their lineage through senior students back to the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba.

Two further well known martial arts use the name aikido but do not have this direct connection. They are Korindo Aikido founded by Minoru Hirai, and Nihon Goshin Aikido founded by Shodo Morita. These schools, with some historical justification, suggest that the name aikido is not the exclusive domain of arts derived from the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba.

Well, as you can see from the above, it is a rather confusing affair. I think, the main problem is that Morihei Ueshiba taught many different ways of practising Aikido. Right from hard brutal, effective techniques all the way through to soft flowing beautiful techniques.

The students of the founder, who developed 'their own preferences' could not keep it all together. So, it appears that the focus of training was reduced to a particular way of practising. There is nothing wrong with this, it was very difficult to emulate the founder as he was an enigma, a physical and spiritual giant among men.

What Aikido style you choose comes down to...

What is Your preference? That is the way You should practise!

If you want a hard, practical, Aikido style, then... Yoshinkan, or Iwama are great. If you want a soft flowing spiritual style of Aikido, then Aikikai is for you. If you want to look more closely at energy then Ki Aikido will do it.

The main thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong, all have good and not so good aspects to their Aikido styles.

Personally, I have studied Aikido Yoshinkan for over 20 years. But I have included many of the soft flowing techniques of Aikikai with an emphasis on developing the energy movement of Ki Aikido. I have also made a detailed study of the Aiki principles, that make techniques work.

You see, I have made a study of dozens of spiritual and healing paths, before I even came to the study of Aikido. Among them are chi kung, yoga, meditation, chanting, shamanism, Eckankar, Rosicrucians, acupressure, reflexology, energy and muscle balancing, etc.

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