Aikido translated as "the way of harmonious spirit", is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Ueshiba's goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves without injuring their attacker.

The word aikido is formed of three Japanese characters:

- ai - joining
- ki - spirit
- do - way


Techniques

* Front-of-the-head strike - a vertical knife-hand strike to the head.
* Side-of-the-head strike - a diagonal knife-hand strike to the side of the head or neck.
* Chest thrust - a punch to the torso. Specific targets include the chest, abdomen, and solar plexus. Same as "middle-level thrust" , and "direct thrust".
* Face thrust - a punch to the face. Same as "upper-level thrust" .

Beginners in particular often practice techniques from grabs, both because they are safer and because it is easier to feel the energy and lines of force of a hold than a strike. Some grabs are historically derived from being held while trying to draw a weapon; a technique could then be used to free oneself and immobilize or strike the grabbing person. The following are examples of some basic grabs:

* Single-hand grab - one hand grabs one wrist.
* Both-hands grab - both hands grab one wrist.
* Both-hands grab - both hands grab both wrists. Same as "double single-handed grab".
* Shoulder grab a shoulder grab. 　"Both-shoulders-grab" is ryōkata-dori
* Chest grab grabbing the (clothing of the) chest. Same as "collar grab".



Aikido training is mental as well as physical, emphasizing the ability to relax the mind and body even under the stress of dangerous situations. This is necessary in order to enable the practitioner to perform the bold enter-and-blend movements that underlie aikido techniques, wherein an attack is met with confidence and directness. Morihei Ueshiba once remarked that one "must be willing to receive 99% of an opponent's attack and stare death in the face" in order to execute techniques without hesitation. As a martial art concerned not only with fighting proficiency but also with the betterment of daily life, this mental aspect is of key importance to aikido practitioners.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org