The Elements of Aikido [Paperback]

Greg O'Connor (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Elements of | Publication Date: January 1999

Awareness of Aikido's effectiveness as something more than a self-defense method is growing rapidly. As an alternative to violence, Aikido can be used as a profound tool for leadership, conflict resolution and stress management. This book reveals the underlying elements such as breathing, posture, centering and state-of-mind which are necessary before Aikido can truly be performed. The Elements of Aikido presents Aikido as an alternative martial art and shows how its principles and practice can be a powerful way to healthy living.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Greg O'Connor is the chief instructor of Aikido Centers of New Jersey with dojos across that state. A 6th degree black belt in Aikido he devotes all his efforts to the instruction and advancement of Aikido. He is certified by and affiliated with Aikido World Headquarters (Tokyo). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Element Books Ltd (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862043221
• ISBN-13: 978-1862043220
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,171,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than his first book! I highly recommend it., January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elements of Aikido (Paperback)

Mr. O'Connor knows what Aikido students are looking for in this wonderful, informative book. This should be a first pick for those studying Aikido or even thinking about studying. I was surprised to see that the author also added his own drawings. They are very good.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars this is my first book for me in Aikido.., July 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elements of Aikido (Paperback)

This book contain many details of Aikido, not for pratice. It say about : What is, How to , concept and compare with other martial arts. good one for me. This is the first book for my Aikido.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, June 18, 2009

By 

L. Tarantino - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elements of Aikido (Paperback)

OK, I may be a little biased being a student at O'Connor Sensei's dojo (I'm writing this under my wife's account and maiden name so I don't appear a teacher's pet), add the fact that I'm relatively new to Aikido and you may be thinking "can I trust this review at all?" Hopefully my honesty will convince you that this indeed is a fantastic book, and I really recommend it to anyone interested in the art. Personally I've been practicing for about 9 months now and am finally starting to "get it", this book was a major part of that. While the sections on specific technique are relatively light, the content on some of the more subjective aspects (i.e. Ki, philosophy etc) is better than anything I've read elsewhere (while being new to aikido, I'm a confirmed bibliophile and have amassed a collection of such already). Besides which, a book really can't impart technique nearly as well as direct instruction (or even youtube), but on the more abstruse aspects as covered here, such books really do open new doors of understanding. This, and "The Art of Peace" by O'Sensei are the two books I can see myself reading many times over in the coming years, highly recommended to aikidoka of all levels of experience.