Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu, a school headed by Sokaku Takeda (1859-1943), is frequently quoted as having the most influence. The history of Aikido is diverse and many different styles of Aikido have been developed over the years. As Morihei Ueshiba developed Aikido he changed the emphasis of his teaching from hard direct techniques to more soft flowing movements. Many of the styles of Aikido around today have been developed by senior students of O’Sensei and emphasis differences in the way Aikido is taught. At the Koushinkan Aikido Oxford we teach the Yoshinkan style of Aikido. The club was founded under the Shudokan Institute of Aikido but left in 2013 to become an independent dojo.
