Product Description

The basics are only a guiding principle. Your strongest posture is the one that fits your constitution. That cannot be taught to you, you have to find it for yourself. It is not a question of widening your stance or narrowing it, if the truth be told. But, people will do what is comfortable for them, so if you allow them to, they will just make it up for themselves. That is why, you must always return to the basics. This is what is important. -Gozo Shioda Aikido students and enthusiasts the world over will be delighted with this English translation of Gozo Shioda's "hidden principles," finally made available by the Yoshinkan school of aikido. An outstanding student of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, Shioda, who taught thousands of people in his lifetime, left a profound legacy, successfully teaching the spiritual and practical applications of a martial art that could all too easily become mired in one or the other. In this sequel to Dynamic Aikido, the preeminent master continues his explanation of the essential principles but in finer detail. Comprehensive and fully illustrated, Total Aikido covers the basic postures and movements with special emphasis on certain key points for perfecting one's technique to achieve maximum effect with the minimum of effort. Demonstrations are provided in a dojo setting, with helpful pointers for avoiding common mistakes. To enable students to develop greater strength and control, they are shown how to increase their speed, shift their center of gravity, and synchronize movements with those of their opponents. This is an essential work for students of all levels, a treasury of expert information.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #160986 in Books
• Published on: 1997-02-01
• Original language: Japanese
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

Combat magazine ,September 1997
"Undoubtedly the most comprehensive manual of aikido techniques in English. For all serious martial artists, it will repay a close study and deserves a place on the small shelf of martial art masterpieces. Total Aikido is Shioda's masterpiece. Aikido as it was intended to be."

Synopsis
The sequel to "Dynamic Aikido", this book expands on the fundamental principles in finer detail. It covers the basic postures and movements, placing special emphasis on perfecting the key techniques for achieving maxumum effect with minimum effort. It is aimed at beginners and advanced students.

About the Author
The author held one of the few 9th dan black belts in aikido and was the most outstanding pupil of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido. He was largely responsible for transmitting the principles of aikido from Japan to the outside world. Shioda is the author of the best-selling text on aikido, Dynamic Aikido, also published by Kodansha International. He died in 1994.

Customer Reviews

Not the best
This book is only the very surface of aikido. If you want an in depth understanding then this book is not for you. If you follow the book and practice with a partner you will probably chuck the book down in frustration, as the finer details of what you are doing wrong are not explained. I have given up on Aikido written material and I am learning Chi na from Dr Yang jwing-ming best money I have ever spent.

The Genuine Master Course
With excellent photos and step-by-step instructions this book really brings the art of Aikido to the masses. It also contains useful pointers to help you perfect your technique and gives examples of common mistakes to watch out for.

The real key to this book though comes from reading it and then re-reading it again, focusing on the principles explained in the text. Once you start to appreciate the value of balance, timing and co-ordination with your opponent, everything becomes clear, what you might call a moment of 'revelation'.

Excellent stuff.

Definitely one of the best books on aikido.
This book was given to me as a Christmas present two months after having started training in aikido. It's the book I now look at after training at the dojo. The techniques are well explained and the photos are clear. It also points out the common mistakes one can make in training. I find this book very helpful and invaluable for understanding new techniques learnt at the dojo. The way the different controls, locks and movements are shown and explained is helpful in improving one's aikido skills.
I recommend this book for who is already training in aikido and has decided to continue...one of the must have books.
It's not the book I would recommend to the person who is not practising aikido and would like an insight and information on this martial art.