I was getting geared up to say something explanatory about aikido as well, but after seeing the posts already present I know I don't have to do much of that. I guess I'll just add my common "short version" of a practical explanation of aikido: Aikido is the fine art of making your opponent look like an ass until he gives up and goes home.

Of course, for the student of the art ("aikidoka"), it's much more, as been hinted at throughout this discussion.

Interestingly enough, I find that there is a notably high incidence of aikidoka in the Monastery. I wonder what causes there might be, what similarities in personality types and personal philosophies, that lead the same people who become Perl Monks to pursue knowledge of aikido in such numbers. It seems to be a more common martial art for Perl Monks to study than the next two most common.

I've been studying it off and on (alas, more off than on) for more than a decade. I find that my favorite classes have been those with a focus on weapons use (both learning weapons and learning to counter weapons when unarmed). I'm very much attracted to the manner in which aikido shares philosophical characteristics with Taoism (that metaphysical sense of the world my heart calls home), and I like the fact that aikido doesn't emphasize throwing one's weight around. It feels like a very peaceful, comfortable art, and I need more of that in my life anyway.

Unfortunately, I haven't studied aikido formally for a couple of years. There's a dojo nearby, but I just can't really spare the time and money at this point to attend classes. I've also been pretty lazy in my off-hours lately, which further decreases the likelihood that I'll get down there to sign up for classes.

In the past, I've studied around a half-dozen martial arts, not counting military hand to hand combat techniques, rifle and pistol marksmanship, or fencing (foil, primarily, and occasional sabre and minimal-contact shinai). Of the arts I've studied, those I haven't mentioned by name are arts I didn't find particularly interesting — I'll refrain from naming them so that I won't invite any "holy wars" over what are the l33test martial arts forms. Stuff I'd like to learn in the future, and haven't worked with (much?) in the past, includes (in alphabetical order):

• iaido/iaijutsu
• Jeet Kune Do
• jujutsu
• kenjutsu
• Krav Maga
• Tai Chi Chuan
• Wing Chun

I would also, of course, like to spend more time on aikido, marksmanship, and fencing, as well. I guess I'd better get to it.