Customer Reviews

Art of Aikido [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

i have thought about this many times, and i still don't know how anyone can expect to learn any type of martial art from a video. this video is very helpful for those who has started learning aikido, and just need a little extra help from a different angle. if you are learning aikido, i think this video is worth a look. if you haven't done aikido before, this video can give you a taste of what it is about, but don't expect to be an expert from just watching a video (of any kind!)

Contents: Tomiki style aikido demo. Quite a lot of the first bit was spent on stretching warmups like touching the toes (interminable!), seems like at least half the video consisted of confrontational warmups which were prelude to Tomiki style aikido competition kata. I think they should state clearly on the cover "TOMIKI AIKIDO." Just my opinion, wish I could get my money back. :(

This video is a great tool for students of Tomiki style Aikido. I bought it hoping to get a supplement to my personal training, and it was exactly what I expected. The kata is not presented in a way that a pure novice could execute the techniques simply by watching the video, but it gives a good example of each. It is also helpful for the student who wants to learn the Japanese terms for dojo decorum. I think that it would be nearly impossible to learn any martial art from watching a video, but if that is what you are wishing to accomplish this video is not likely the best choice for you. The techniques are shown briefly, and the little steps to achieve the technique are not shown in detail. This video is however an excellent tool for the Aikido student who wishes to use it as a study guide for Tomiki style Aikido, or the student of another style to get a better idea of what Tomiki Aikido is. I gave it 5 stars because it met and even exceeded what I was wanting from the video.

While this is not a beginner's video it is almost the complete Tomiki Aikido system. Its main kata,is shown clearly and intermediate aiki practitioners up should have no trouble picking the techniques up. As a Soke of an Aiki Jujutsu System I can say that ll in all it was not too bad.

If you are a beginner DONT buy this tape. The sound is of poor
quality, The comentary is of poor quality. It is just a poor
overview of Aikido and is NO WAY a guide, or a HOW TO DO
Aikido. I wasted my $25 investment. I felt cheated.

I prefered Dr. Lee Ah Loi's Advance Aikido tape, however this tape does go over the basics of Tomiki aikido. As such, it is a good reference for the Tomiki Aikidoka.