Product Description

All the major aspects of Aikido are clearly laid out in this beautiful beginner's guide to Aikido. Illustrated with over 90 photographs and using a clever 'page per topic' format, it's ideal for the newcomer to the art or for those just curious about Aikido. Excellent value for money. Highly recommended by some of the world's most senior Aikido masters. Nicely presented in a smart A4 style. Totally 'non style-specific' this book appeals to students of all branches of Aikido and covers everything from the first day's training right up to the spiritual and theological aspects of the art. Rapidly becoming the standard Aikido beginner's text.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82201 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From the Publisher
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - EXCELLENT VALUE

About the Author
Dunken Francis was born in London in 1964 and is Sempai (senior student) at the headquarters of the Institute of Aikido (The Hut Dojo) in West London - the birthplace of Aikido in the UK. He has trained under H W Foster sensei 7th dan (one of the most senior practitioners in Europe) since beginning his Aikido career as a child in 1974. He is a fully qualified British Aikido Board Coach, and has been PR officer and magazine editor for the Institute of Aikido (worldwide) for over a decade. He is one of the premier instructors on www.IWTV.tv the internet's foremost online sports instructional website. Dunken Francis is about to become a senior instructor for the Kyu Shin Do Aikido Organisation and is currently working on a second book and an accompanying DVD.

Excerpted from Aikido - a Beginner's Guide by Dunken Francis. Copyright © 2003. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The purpose of this book is to be a handy "aide memoire" for the absolute beginner to Aikido, in an attempt to help clarify the potentially overwhelming series of movements, postures, attacks and (for those not familiar with the Japanese language) the names and phrases that make up our wonderful art.

I fully understand and accept that many of the techniques and exercises shown here may be quite different from those practicsed within the walls of your local dojo - thats' fine - in my opinion, there are no "styles" of Aikido, it's like a big pizza; you can cut it into slices or eat it with a fork but it's still pizza!

The various sections within this book are present to give a "snapshot" of Aikido, it's structure, ethics and heritage; hopefully this will whet your appetite enough for you to go and find out more for yourself, as you travle on the Way.

Customer Reviews

Just the tip of the iceberg!
For the keen enthusiast or a beginner, this book allows the reader to get an insight into the remarkable art of Aikido. Explosivley packed with clear pictures, detailed history, invaluble terminology and weapons that are used. I personaly like to use this book for reference and educational purposes. With all forms and techniques clearly laid out, correct posture in the dojo, philosophy, exercises for the physical and mental aspect.

An excellent beginner's guide
An excellently presented book that provides those interested in this martial art with sensible and practical instruction. It has clear photographs of the important moves and is clearly and concisely written. Its main strength undoubtedly lies in its usefulness to those who have recently joined an Aikido club. It manages to open up a somewhat mysterious martial art to public gaze with an easy-going, sensible and modern style. It's other strength, I'm sure, lies in its ability to attract curious newcomers to Aikido by making them more aware of what is involved, in a very practical and hands-on way, and thus making the move to a club considerably easier.

Very useful book
I bought this nearly 2 years ago and have come back to it time & time again.
It contains large and clear photographs of all of the basic aikido techniques together with nice explanations and meanings in Japanese.
It also provides useful information on the history of Aikido, dojo etiquette and some additional pointers for people just starting out.