Aikido is a martial art with practical and philosophical differences from most of the martial arts practiced in the United States today. Its founder, Morihei Ueshiba (known as O'Sensei or " Great Teacher" to aikido practitioners) lived from 1883 to 1969 and was an accomplished practitioner of many traditional Japanese martial arts, including empty hand (jiu jitsu) and traditional weapons of the samurai, such as sword, staff, spear and knife. Through many years of practice and deep spiritual reflection, O'Sensei combined these skills into a single art which he called Aikido. The name Aikido, which combines the words for Harmony (Ai), Life Force (Ki), and The Way (Do), reflected O’Sensei’s conviction that following this “Way of the Harmonious Life Force” (Aikido), in martial arts practice, could strengthen the human mind, body, and spirit and direct human consciousness toward the pursuit of peace.

In his early years, O’Sensei was troubled by the inherent contradiction between martial arts practice, which directed one to maim or kill, and his religious practice, which professed that all men (and all things) are intimately connected. Ultimately O'Sensei resolved this conflict by developing an art which utilized an attacker’s energy to immobilize or defuse an attack while leaving the attacker essentially unharmed. Instead of maiming, taking life or proving superiority over others, this new art of self defense trained the body, mind and spirit while promoting peace.

Aikido is generally practiced with a partner using circular, fluid techniques; the Aikido practitioner receives the energy of an attacker, unbalances him, and either redirects the energy by “throwing” the attacker or immobilizes him with a pin. Aikido students start by learning to fall and roll safely. Once a student becomes proficient at falls and rolls, slow attacks and grabs gradually give way to strikes and dynamic grabs as the skill level increases. Advanced practice appears virtually effortless and often looks to those who are watching as if the attacker "threw themselves". This level is truly beautiful to behold and experience, and fulfills the ideals of "martial" and "art" in a way rarely duplicated in other styles.