Aikido o la armonía de la naturaleza

by Mitsugi Saotome

Aikido o la armonía de la naturaleza es probablemente el libro más claro, profundo e inspirado que se ha escrito sobre Aikido, o sobre cualquier otro arte marcial. De hecho, es el único acercamiento a las enseñanzas del fundador del Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, que ha sido realizado por un discípulo directo suyo. En el libro se nos revelan los profundos principios filosóficos que impregnan el arte del Aikido, y se relaciona estos principios con las leyes de la naturaleza. Se muestra cómo el movimiento físico que supone el Aikido es también una energía espiritual. Las fuerzas negativas no se contrarrestan con agresividad sino que se controlan y redirigen a través del equilibrio del movimiento en espiral. Es el meollo del Aikido, la forma dinámica que está en la base de todas las energías existentes. De este modo, el movimiento del Aikido sólo puede comprenderse desde su enraizamiento en la ley universal que rige los procesos de la naturaleza. La práctica del Aikido es la perfección del equilibrio, y nos devuelve a la armonía con nuestro entorno, con nuestros semejantes, con nosotros mismos. Profundamente ilustrado con dibujos del propio autor, con diagramas y caligrafías, así como con fotografías que muestran la técnica del Aikido, el presente libro ofrece también un recorrido histórico sobre este famoso arte marcial, anécdotas del fundador, y transcripción de algunas de sus charlas.

Genres: Martial Arts, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Eastern Philosophy, Self Help

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Jed · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started investigating Aikido, I really had no idea what to expect. I knew it was intended to use an attacker's energy as a defense, but that was about it. After reading this book, I knew Aikido was philosophically and physically in-tune with what I was looking for.

In Aikido and the Harmony of Nature, Saotome Sensei presents Aikido teachings as they were presented to him by O Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. There is a lot of spiritual talk and illustration showing the non-physical basis for Aikido, as well as a good amount of discussion of where the inspiration for the movements in Aikido originate and why they're so important to proper execution.

The illustrations are very interesting -- hand drawn for the most part, along with some stills taken from motion reels. Even the illustrations do not stop at the physical execution of Aikido, but they attempt to provide conceptual depth to the teachings.

This was quite literally a life changing book for me. My life is richer due to reading this book since it led me to study Aikido for more than a year and to change because of that experience. I recommend this book to anyone, regardless of your current motivations.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly good introduction to the philosophical and metaphysical underbelly to one of the newer* martial arts systems: Aikido.

As a westerner I advocate suspending judgment while reading it and simply just reading critically.

As a practitioner, or aspiring practitioner youll end the reading of this book with more questions than answers and as such you wont gain a lot.

Overall, this was an interesting book that I advocate for the shelf of anyone interested in the eastern combat systems


*(as in within the last 200 years). This as contrasted to some of the older systems like the animal forms of kung foo, "old style" jiu jitsu ect

[Gordon Young]

I recently saw a comment in an interview with another student of O Sensei: (paraphrased) "In later years, O sensei would just give these long lectures that no one understood..." Well, Saotome Sensei certainly applied himself to understanding something ; and here he tries to pass on what he learned. I'm grateful that he's done so. Since I live too far from a dojo right now to train as much as I would like, this book has been a wonderful way to connect with the essence of the practice.

[Andrew Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its teachings were more on the aspects, the connections with nature, less in the technical applications but all in all, great book!

[Dave Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Mitsugi Schools and Dojos I had trained at over the years.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as a part of a book group, which helped me to understand and digest more.

[Christopher Piehota · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book about some of the basic beliefs and values often associated with the martial arts style of aikido. The author provides some interesting perspectives and ideas that extend past the study of aikido. Note that this book is not an instructional manual about the practice of aikido nor is this a book about fighting.

[Todd Geist · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Teacher's Teacher

[Hrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are the wind, the sun, a mountain, and, exactly, you are art." - "If you are weak, you have no choice." - Worth a (re)read if you practice Aikido.

[Dan Furkert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super engaging as a thoughtful look at life and also for those training in the art. Thoroughly worthwhile to have a copy of your own