Beginner Aikido Moves

Aikido moves focus on protecting both the practitioner as well as the attacker. People who study aikido learn how to do both these things as well as to increase self-discipline, patience and mental strength. The idea behind aikido is to redirect the attack rather than attack back. Here are some beginner aikido moves which you'll need to learn in order to progress to more advanced aikido moves.

There are two roles involved with aikido; uke, which is the person being attacked and nage, the attacker. In training these roles are essential to practicing aikido forms. Later, when the aikido practitioners are more advanced, they will have to practice freestyle. Learning prearranged aikido moves beforehand makes freestyle practice much easier.

Ikkyo
Also known as first technique, this is an aikido move where the uke uses one hand on the nage's elbow and the other near his wrist. The nage will end up on the ground, the result of pressure on the ulnar nerve.

Nikyo
This is the second technique and involves the nage using a wristlock and again, pressure on the nerve.

Sankyo
The third technique, sankyo involves another wristlock which sends tension from the lower part of the arm up toward the shoulder.

Yunkyo
Yunkyo, or the fourth technique uses shoulder control. In Yunkyo, the uke will put both hands on the nages forearm. This technique works using pressure on the radial nerve.

Gukyo
The fifth technique, this, like Ikkyo, ends with the nage on the ground. In Gukyo the uke rotates the arm the other way and applies pressure on the elbow.

Shihonage
Here, basic aikido moves are no longer referred to as first, second, etc. techniques. The alternate name for Shihonage is four-direction throw. To do this maneuver, the uke folds the nage's hand back, past the shoulder, locking the shoulder.

Kotegaeshi
Also known as the forearm return, kotegaeshi happens when the uke uses a wristlock-throw which uncomfortably stretches the extensor digitorum (in the forearm).