Aikido Basics. Phong Thong Dang

      

      aikido basics

      Disclaimer: Please note that the author and publisher of this book are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may result from practicing the techniques and/or following the instructions given within. Since the physical activities described herein may be too strenuous in nature for some readers to engage in safely, it is essential that a physician be consulted prior to training,

      Published in the United States in 2003 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, Vermont 05759 USA.

      Copyright © 2003 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

      Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2003054004

      Dang, Phong Thong, 1940-

      Aikido Basics / Phong Thong Dang and Lynn Seiser. — 1st ed.

      p. cm.

      Includes bibliographical references.

      ISBN 978-1-4629-0282-8

      1. Aikido. I. Seiser, Lynn, 1950- II. Title.

      GV1114.35.P46 2003

       796.815'4—dc21

      ISBN 978-1-4629-0282-8

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      Dedication

      I would like to dedicate this book to the founder of aikido, O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, his late son Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, and his grandson, the current Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba. I also dedicate this book to everyone at the Aikikai Foundation and the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, especially General Secretary Shihan Masatake Fujita, for all their support and encouragement. I dedicate this book to my late brother, Tri Sensei, for sharing our dedication to the martial arts and for bringing aikido to my homeland, Vietnam. To all my students worldwide, I thank you for your enthusiasm in training. To my loving family, I thank you for your patience in my absences. It is my sincere wish that this book be some small contribution to unifying aikido.

      —Phong Thong Dang,Westminster, CA

       December 15, 2002

      First, I dedicate this book, in humble gratitude and deepest respect, to the patience, compassion, and expertise of my aikido teacher, Sensei Phong Thong Dang. I also dedicate this work to all my training partners, past, present, and future, for their assistance and friendship. The lessons I have learned from them are humbly included in this book with my gratitude. My heartfelt love, deepest appreciation, and sincerest sympathies to my family for supporting my passion as a lifelong perpetual student of the martial arts.

      —Lynn Seiser, Ph.D., Irvine, CA

       December 15, 2002

      The authors wish to express their appreciation to Joe Duong Dihn and Richmond Neff for their assistance by appearing in the photographs.

      table of contents

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Part 1: Introduction	9
Chapter 1:	The History of Aikido	10
Chapter 2:	The Philosophy of Aikido	13
Chapter 3:	The Different Branches of Aikido	21
Part 2: Getting Started	23
Chapter 4:	Choosing the Right School	24
Chapter 5:	Clothing and Equipment	29
Chapter 6:	Your First Class	32
Chapter 7:	Safety	38
Part 3: Learning the Basics	43
Chapter 8:	Basic Principles	44
Chapter 9:	Stances and Footwork	54
Chapter 10:	Strikes	63
Chapter 11:	Grabs	69