Progressive Aikido: The Essential Elements Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book after comparing it with other similar books, including "Best Aikido" by this book's author & his father. I decided to buy this one because the photography was far better, and much of the presentation struck me as more clear and detailed.
So, any criticism of this book as old wine in a new bottle should be taken with a grain of salt. For someone already experienced in Aikido and owning introductory books, this new one probably has little to offer. However, my sense is that it's not an attempt merely to grind out a new book to sell which is really just old material. Rather, it seeks to present its material in a clearer, more accessible format. That is why I chose it as my first book of basic Aikido technique.
True, what this book says about Aikido philosophy is very brief. But that is such a large and important topic that one would do best to buy separate books devoted to that topic (as I have already).
So, if you want a well-illustrated manual on the basic techniques of Aikido, I find this is an excellent choice.

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A practical guide-written by the grandson of the founder of Aikido-for those seeking greater understanding of both the basic forms and advanced techniques.Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba, who drew on Japan's rich history of martial arts to develop an entirely new system that preserves the classical tradition within a contemporary context. In Progressive Aikido, Moriteru Ueshiba, the grandson of the founder and the third Doshu (living symbol and embodiment of the spirit of Aikido), focuses on the most fundamental principle of Aikido: proper movement. Using hundreds of photographs and readily accessible explanations, Ueshiba shows how this crucial technique is the basis for all training, whether as a beginner or as a senior instructor. The book is based on a systematic, step-by-step approach that emphasizes proper movement to train in a range of Aikido techniques, from basic to advanced.

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Dynamic Aikido (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great reference book for all Aikidoka, especially for those who practice Aikido for self defence needs. This book provides a basic look at the Yoshinkan style of Aikido, the style taught to the Tokyo police for self defence. It includes detailed pictures and explanations of all the basic techniques and includes an area at the end that illustrates the effectiveness of these Aikido techniques in typical scenarios that require self defence. As an instructor, it provided me with a great basis from which to develop other Aikido techniques into more practical self defence forms.

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Aikido-a martial art deriving its effectiveness, like judo and karate, from the flow of ki-- techniques that, when thoroughly mastered, enable the gentle to overcome the strong -- exercise and sport for men and women of all ages, based on natural movements and harmony of mind and body Ancient theory, modern practice: Dynamic Aikido brings together the whole spectrum of theoretical and applied aikido. Through it, one can become perfectly attuned to one's opponent, can sense his intentions and turn his movements to one's own advantage. Comprehensive and fully illustrated, Dynamic Aikido presents the basic postures and stances, fundamental techniques and applications: how to cope with a frontal attack, how to avoid an attack from the rear, how to sense and thwart the pickpocket. An essential companion for every beginner, a vital reference for students of all levels.

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Aikido: The Tomiki Way Review

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(More customer reviews)Neil Saunders has created a very valuable resource for students of Tomiki Aikido. As a Shodan in Tomiki Aikido who no longer regularly practices the style (I've shifted to traditional Aikido to "expand my horizons"), this book is a great reference guide when I want to practice "the good stuff".
In addition to the basics of technique/terminology/breakfalls/history of Aikido, Sensei Saunders comprehensivelty takes the reader through each of the major katas associated with Tomiki Aikido. The photos are plentiful, and effectively outline each and every technique step-by-step in a way that has not been done before in any other Tomiki Aikido book to date. However, it is interesting to note that several of the techniques Sensei Saunders presents in these katas, although technically correct, are not the versions of these techniques associated with the Aikido that Kenji Tomiki originally taught. The techniques are not wrong, just different, modern versions. Something to keep in mind.
On a side note, although I agree with the poor production values that KHPatton has described about Sensei Higashi's book, I can assure you that not only is Sensei Higashi's ability the real deal (Yes I've been on the receiving end of them), the techniques descibed in his book are actually closer to the original style that Kenji Tomiki taught. Modern Tomiki/Shodokan Aikido has actually left behind some of its Judo roots and embraced some of the more flowing styles of traditional Aikido. Sensei Higashi's book is a reminder of where Tomiki Aikido originated, and that there is often little need to change.
I disagree, however, with KHPatton's assessment of Sensei Narayama's Aikido: Tradition and New Tomiki Free Fighting Method book. Although the photos in Neil Saunders' book are far superior, Sensei Narayama (the current global head of Tomiki/Aikido) has a very clear precise and POWERFUL technique, and his book is written in a very direct, honest prose. The photos of Sensei Narayama in this book demonstrate how Tomiki/Shodokan Aikido allows you to put a lot of direct power into the techniques when they are correctly applied. Although they are not pretty, they are very effective. And yes, I've been on the receiving end of his techniques as well at seminars.
A third book I would recommend would be Dr Lee Ah Loi's Tomiki Aikido (Randori and Koryu no Kata). The photos in this book are not very good, missing a lot in the transitions between techniques. However, Dr Loi outlines the techniques for all of the Koryu no Katas, and presents a traditional, but softer, style of Tomiki Aikido, and proves that women can effectively execute this style of Aikido as well as larger, muscular men like Higashi and Narayama.
In short, I highly recommend Neil Saunders book. It should be considered an essential reference for the modern Tomiki Aikido student. However, it is important to remember that it mostly presents the style of modern Tomiki Aikido that has been influenced somewhat by Ueshiba's traditional style. Saunders even wears a Hakama throughout the book - a big no-no among most Tomiki Aikido practitioners. This book should therefore be supplemented with the other books mentioned above, as they represent both original form and modern variations of this very, very underrated style of Aikido.


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Total Aikido: The Master Course (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've purchased several Aikido/Martial Arts books in the past few years and I must say that this one is the best. It is difficult, if not impossible, to describe Aikido techniques in text; thus, proper illustration and easy to follow photographic sequences are critical to any Aikido text. This book has the most illuminating graphic representations of Aikido techniques of any that I have read so far. They even thought to number the photos in the sequences (a supprisingly novel concept). The accompanying description and explanation are quite well written. I wish all Aikido books were this well done.
It should be said that this book was written by Gozo Shidoa, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. Yoshinkan is a style that your local dojo may or may not practice. However, I find myself continually comming back to this book despite the fact that my own dojo doesn't practice Yoshinkan.

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Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques Review

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(More customer reviews)If you have to buy one book on Yoshinkan Aikido, I would recommend Total Aikido by Gozo Shioda (same author). Total Aikido goes into much greater detail on basic stance, basic movements, breakfalls, history, self defense application, and principals of Yoshinkan Aikido. However, this book is a great compliment to Total Aikido, primarily focusing on application of more than 100 basic techniques, mostly demonstrated in the photos by the founder, Gozo Shioda, himself. This is a great reference source for any Yoshinkan practitioner. The book also briefly covers kamae, kihon dosa (alone and with a partner), ukemi, shikko-ho, and a few other basic principles. This book cannot replace the experience from training under a qualified instructor, but is a valuable tool for the student who wants to refresh and review what he/she has learned. Aikido, The Complete Basic Techniques is also a great tool for instructors who wish to review details of the techniques performed by the founder, and resolve any debates on application of basic techniques.

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