Can you imagine a self-defense sport that focuses on harmony rather than confrontation?
Aikido—a modern Japanese martial arts—emphasizes harmony and inner peace, blending with an opponent’s movements, and using their energy against them, rather than relying on brute force. Its primary focus is on personal growth through relaxation, self-confidence, and peaceful conflict resolution.
The term “Aikido” itself embodies this philosophy with three Japanese characters:
“ai“: harmony or unifying, ki“: spirit or energy, “do“: way or path,
meaning “the way of harmonizing energy.“
Read in this LinkedIn article about Marina Velikova’s insights of practicing Aikido, which extend the individual benefits to the collective by bringing dedication, collaboration, and mutual support into every interaction—a true lesson of living inclusivity.
What do you take as lessons for yourself?