Aikido, by its very nature, is an extremely difficult art to define. It does not fall neatly into any one category. In essence, aikido is a modern version of traditional Japanese martial arts (budo) . It was created by a man named Morihei Ueshiba. On the surface, it is a combination of kendo and ju-jitsu. A first time visitor will see joint manipulation, throws, and pins. In reality, however, there is a great deal more going on. The student of aikido attempts to upset his/her partner's balance by controlling their center. The aikidoka learns to welcome an attack, blend with it, and redirect it's force back to his/her partner. The key to this lies in balance and control. Aikidoka also train with weapons. A student will practice with bokken, jo, and tanto. This type of training helps to improve a student's overall technique.

From a purely physical standpoint, aikido is an excellent source of exercise. The workouts can be either aerobic or anaerobic (depending on the duration). It increases strength and flexibility. It improves coordination and timing. It can increase confidence (transforming the fear of falling into the joy of flying). Because of its gentle nature, aikido is something that everyone can enjoy.

Unlike most modern martial arts, there is no competition in aikido. It should be a constant training of the mind, body, and spirit. The goal of aikido is to help one become a better human being. Aikido should enable a person to resolve all conflict (both inside and outside of the dojo) peacefully. With competition and ego this goal is lost.