Aikido is one of the most famous marital arts. I practcied Aikido for 3 months last 7 years. Now I practice again Aikido and it is already 1 year. The founder is also really amazing and because of his history, I learned about Aikido philosophy when I am not at dojo. But these days, I found that there are many weak points of Aikido.
Aikido is not like other martial arts. It emphasis on philosophy and non-violence. Training of punch and kick are not included in Aikido. Punches that we used in dojo are just for partner to make techniques. We don't know the correct forceful punch.
Let me share my thinking.
1. Aikido itself have no weak points. It was really effective for the founder. Because he knows many different kinds of martial arts and also fought in wars.
2. Aikido teaching style also have problems. Many aikido teachers teach philosophy and some of the useless techniques in training times. If you want to learn philosophy, you can simply learn philosophy by reading books or attending class. If you want to practice meditation and yoga, there are many centers for those and get join it. Very simple. Don't confuse in martial art class. What I mean is we can't get the real Aikido from the founder.
3. I am not talking about violence. There is Japanese saying " A sword man in garden is better than a gardener in a war". So, when you have to protect yourself, your family and your friends, you have to fight. You take your times, energies and money to learn martial art and it is not effective in real fight, is it worth it?
4. Let say about steven seagal. He is 7 dan black belt in Aikido. He also knows karate(may be black belt) and some Chinese martial art. I am sure if he is in real fight, his techniques will be mixed.
5. If you get at least 3 dan black belt in aikido, I am sure you don't like me and think I am a stupid. But let me ask you something. If your country is in dangerous situation and you have to enter into army. There is no time for hand to hand combat training. Firstly, please don't think about guns and bombs and let say you don't know any other martial art. Would you enter into the army only with your aikido skills? The enemy will not come smoothly as like as your partner in dojo.
Sorry to say about that. If you fight a war with just aikido skils, you will surely lose. But karate men are ready, kung fu men are ready. They know how to punch, how to kick and if they get hurt, they know how to strengthen again themselves. But we Aikidoka only know how to fall beautifully like entertainers.
6. You can find that some of the top aikido master real fighting history. They used some non aikido techniques(I am not meaning about atemi). Why they used non aikido techniques? You will say that in life and death situations, you can't choose techniques. OK. Mas oyama, kyokushin founder only used karate in real fight. And so Bruce lee only used his very fast kung fu skills in real fight. If you don't believe me, you can find it.
7. I am not blaming aikido. I am just want to get real aikido which is not confusing with useless things. Fight or not fight is choice. But a man who gives afford in martial art, at least he should get the teachings of how to fight in real fight and how to be ready in any situation. This is our rights.
I don't go to dojo for a while because of these thoughts. I discussed about those with my teachers and gets unsatisfied answer. Should I change to learn another martial art?