The true meaning of Aikido — Iwama Ryu style

THESE days, a martial artist is likely to walk away from a confrontational situation with any form of physical provocation that could lead to unnecessary violence.

They do this to avoid getting into trouble, and if any form of physical threat does occur, they prefer to distract their adversaries

by getting out of the situation without having to resort to any form of violent contact.

Kuching Aiki Shuren Dojo instructor Andriesse Ridu, a highly experienced practitioner of the Japanese martial arts of Aikido, believes in such a philosophy, noting that the past and present worlds of martial arts are vastly different.

“Before when the world was unsettled, only the strong would rule. Those were harsh times – only stronger men and women could survive while the

weak would be vanquished. But there were those who could resist the oppressors in their own ways. Some fought to protect the misguided from becoming evil. Many resorted to martial arts to defend themselves,” he told thesundaypost.

Ridu who holds a first dan black belt, said in this modern era, it is wrong and unlawful to hurt someone physically. He also quashed the misperception that learning the art of self-defence predisposed a person to violence. “Violence doesn’t benefit anyone – even worst, if a

martial artist breaks the code of ethics and discipline by hurting someone or breaking the law.”

He said most of the longpractising martial artists regarded self-defence as a way of life, a philosophy, an art and a form of history and they practised it to strengthen their minds and stay healthy.

“This is what we emphasise to our students from all walks of life and age. Anyone who learns any form of martial arts will share the same thinking. After practising martial arts for many years, we don’t want to use the self-defence techniques as a violent means to a

physical end.”