Aikido – Christian Tissier performing all Aikikai Kyu Techniques

About AikidoAikido (合気道, is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “the Way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the Way of harmonious spirit.” Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.Aikido is primarily a grappling art in which attacks are neutralised with various types of throws or joint locks. Aikido techniques are intended to be implemented after first blending with the motion of the attacker, so that the defender may redirect the attacker’s momentum without directly opposing it, thus using minimum effort.Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba’s involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Many of Ueshiba’s senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today, aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with a broad range of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and a caring for the well-being of the attacker.About Christian TissierChristian Tissier (born 1951 in Paris, France) is one of the best known European aikido teachers. He started training in aikido as a child in 1962, and trained under Mutsuro Nakazono in Paris until he left for Tokyo in 1969. He came to Aikikai Hombu Dojo as an 18 year old, and trained there for seven years. Among the teachers that have inspired him are Seigo Yamaguchi, Kisaburo Osawa and the second doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba.He received 7th dan in 1998, and is among the handful of westerners who have been given the title Shihan by the Aikikai.About the VideoThe video shows Shihan Christian Tissier doing all Kyu Techniques needed for an Aikikai Dan Graduation, applied to various attacks. Aikido Techniques are hard to understand for people who never tried aikido and sometimes look choreographed to them,  but for the practicing aikidoka, especially the beginner, watching Christian Tissier can be very helpful.Throughout the video, only French is spoken, and the picture quality is not really good, because it’s an older video.