Aikido is a Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba, referred to as O Sensei (meaning Great Teacher) by Aikido practitioners. Aikido utilises joint locks and manipulations as well as throws in order to overpower an attacker without causing them injury. As such Aikido utilises the aggressive intent and energy of an opponent to subdue them and does not depend on size or strength to accomplish this. The techniques of Aikido are effective against single or multiple attackers and are often taught using Japanese weapons such as the bokken (a wooden katana, or Japanese samurai sword) and jo (a Japanese short staff). Aikido also teaches effective relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and the enhancement of 'Ki', a Japanese word meaning life energy, power or spirit.
