Customer Reviews

Progressive Aikido: The Essential Elements

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

The Ueshibi family as continued the Aikido tradition founded by Morihei Ueshiba, handing down the lessons learned from O-sensei and presenting his art and philosophy to a greater world audience. This book, "Progressive Aikido," was written by his grandson Moriteru Ueshiba.

"Progressive Aikido" is essentially a workbook for those who are beginning their journey down the path of Aikido. There is very little of the Aikido philosophy, which can be found in other works such as ""The Art Of Aikido: Principles And Essential Techniques." Instead, it lays out techniques in a progressive, logical pattern starting with the fundamentals and going up to more advanced skills.

The emphasis on fundamentals and basic moves makes "Progressive Aikido" a solid reference for new students, enhancing the lessons learned in an Aikido class. No one is ever going to learn a martial art from a book, but it helps to check yourself against the pictures and get a glimpse into future techniques.

Those who have an extensive Aikido library will probably find "Progressive Aikido" redundant. The Ueshiba family has been very prolific in bringing Aikido to the world, and there is an impressive amount of books available. However, for those who are just beginning to practice the art, there is plenty of useful information and a solid framework around which to build their skills.

Moriteru Ueshiba is the grandson of Morihei Ueeshiba, the Japanese master who developed Aikido, one of the most renowned martial arts in the world. Moriteru Ueshiba is Aikido Doshu and chairman of the International Aikido Federation.

The most important and fundamental element in Aikido is proper movement based on the principle of circular motion where the center remains stable (as in a spinning top). This new volume has explicitly detailed explanations of the movements accompanied by hundreds of clearly illustrated photos.

In Aikido, self-defense is equated with presence of mind, and the practice of the art is a path to harmony based on the integration of the mind and the body. It is not a competitive sport.

This latest publication by Moriteru Ueshiba will be valuable not only for the novice but for the advanced practitioner as well.

I have just begun in Aikido classes and this book helps to refresh between sessions.
The descriptions and pictures are much more detailed than the Best Aikido books.
Thanks Doshu!

I study Honbu ("original") and Iwama style aikido, and I've purchased a number of aikido books, including Best Aikido and Kisshomaru Ueshiba's Aikido. I like all the books, but I keep going to Progressive Aikido for reviewing techniques. It's my favorite book for going over the things I've learned or am about to learn in class. Why? Because the photos are clear (photo quality is better than the other books, and it's easier to see the details), with many close-ups, and also photos from different angles for the same technique. There are many pointers along with the photos, with short and clear advice that makes you feel like you're taking an aikido class and the teacher is pointing out something to you. The other books don't include such detailed exposition of techniques.

Some people say, this book is redundant if you have the other books. Maybe this is true, in a certain way. Honbu-style changes a little bit over time, but the techniques are generally the same. They are tried-and-true. However, this is in fact the latest book from the heart of Honbu-style aikido from the head of aikido, who is the grandson of Morihei Ueshiba; so it is best not to take lightly the efforts of someone who has lived and breathed aikido all his life. So what is the contribution of this book? I'd say the detailed but succinct descriptions and advice which makes the book not just a reference manual but also an instruction manual (for both teachers and students). It is clear that in the book the author addresses key points and issues that he must have noticed students having to learn (or fix) all the time. Also, this is the first book in English (as far as I know) by Moriteru Ueshiba himself only (Best Aikido was a collaboration between father and son), so although Honbu-style is meant to be the "original style" and not really changeable, per se, I think each new doshu inevitably brings his own perspective and points of emphases, etc., and we can read with interest here the perspective and style of the current doshu.

In summary, I'd say, unless you're studying a rather different style of aikido (e.g., yoshinkan), this is a book definitely worth having. Especially if you're an earnest student of aikido who wants to make sure to get the techniques right, and would enjoy getting some pointers and advice from the doshu himself, via the printed page.

Quality photography and construction. Well formatted, but the content is similar to previous books by this author, the current head of the largest Aikido organization in the world, and grandson of the Founder. I guess I was just expecting his latest book to be more comprehensive and telling. It's still a good read, although a much better value at the Amazon price than the cover price.

This is a good book for the beginner and although has some ideas from Best Aikido 1 & 2, it also follows on very nicely from what those have to teach. It answers most questions and demonstrates the fundemental techniques. It is one to refer back to after/or just before a class. I recommend the first part, as well as the second installment of Best Aikido, they are both as good as this and combined make and excellent aikido reference.

If you are a practicing aikidoist, this would make a great coffee table book. I'm not saying that in a bad way. It's good to pick up a book like this once in a while just to study the pictures for something you may have missed in a class that sometimes moves pretty fast. Mr Ueshiba is very, very knowledgable of his art and shows you what he can in just such a book. I highly reccommend it.