Glossary

Sitting cross-legged

Ai-hanmi describes a stance, where both partners are facing each other in a parallel position, front to front ("shake-hands position").

Uke grabs tori's wrist with one hand across (ai-hanmi = handshake stance)

Aikijo is a collective term for staff techniques and exercises that have a clear relation to empty-handed Aikido techniques. It is practised with the wooden staff (jo).

Aikiken is a sword practice that has a clear relation to empty-handed Aikido techniques. It is practised with the wooden bokken.

Aikido exercises to improve posture, movements and body awareness

Non-violent Japanese martial art (Aikidō = "the path to the harmonisation of forces")

International Aikidō umbrella organisation based in Tokyo (led by the descendants of the founder Morihei Ueshiba)

Partner or opponent

Moment of contact, establishing the connection, connection point (literally "hitting the target")