Aikido is a Japanese martial art of self-defence. It uses the energy of the attack and circles it back onto the aggressor.

The Japanese word Aikido is written with three characters that translate as "The Way of Spiritual Harmony."

Harmonious movement, or blending, is at the heart of this discipline. Movements in Aikido may be spectacular and send the attacker flying, or they may be small and control the wrist and elbow joints in subtle but persuasive ways.