Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. It focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them. Aikido is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement.

O'Sensei emphasized the moral and spiritual aspects of this art, placing great weight on the development of harmony and peace. This is still true of Aikido today. Although the idea of a martial discipline striving for peace and harmony may seem paradoxical, it is the most basic tenet of the art. O'Sensei offered the following rules for studying Aikido:

1. Aikido decides life and death in a single strike, so students must carefully follow the instructor's teaching and not compete to see who is the strongest.
2. Aikido is the way that teaches how one can deal with several enemies. Students must train themselves to be alert not just to the front, but to all sides and the back.
3. Training should always be conducted in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere.
4. The instructor teaches only one small aspect of the art. Its versatile applications must be discovered by each student through incessant practice and training.
5. In daily practice first begin by moving your body and then progress to more intensive practice. Never force anything unnaturally or unreasonably. If this rule is followed, then even elderly people will not hurt themselves and they can train in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere.
6. The purpose of aikido is to train mind and body and to produce sincere, earnest people. Since all the techniques are to be transmitted person-to-person, do not randomly reveal them to others, for this might lead to their being used by hoodlums.