Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to by his title "O Sensei" or Great Teacher), who was born in Japan on December,1883 .  He devoted himself to hard physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts, receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting .  In spite of his impressive physical and martial capabilities , however, he felt very dissatisfied .  He began delving into religions in hopes of finding a deeper significance to life, all the while continuing to pursue his studies of budo, or the martial arts . By combining his martial training with his religious and political ideologies, he created the modern martial arts of Aikido.  Ueshiba decided on the name "AIKIDO" in 1942 (before that he called his martial art " aikibudo " and " aikinomichi ") .

" Aikido " is considered as one of the martial arts and self-defense style, where it could be applied against armed or disarmed opponents .  The  word "Aikido" is divided into three parts in the Japanese language  (Ai – Ki – Do ) :
" Ai " literary means coordination and harmony, and technically means the harmony and coordination between mind and body, and to harmonize the defendant techniques with the techniques of the opponents and use them to overcome him .

" Ki " means " energy " and the inner energy of both mind and body which are generated at time of necessity.   While the part " Do " means the Way .

 
Generally , the word " Aikido " technically means "the way of harmony of  Ki" , that is , your energy "Ki" must change the direction of your opponent's energy and utilize this to create straight and strong techniques which is known as " Irimi " techniques . And also by executing semi-circle and round techniques in which you lead the energy of your opponents to a circle movements around you in order to reduce and vanish its effects – that led to unbalancing of the opponents and then to overcome him by applying a suitable techniques (known as Tenkan techniques ) .

On a purely physical level, " Aikido " is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu, and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu .  Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you .  It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement . Therefore, the secret of Aikido , as said by O sensei Ueshiba , "is to harmonize ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself. " .

Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that Aikido takes the joint locks and throws from Jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of sword and spear fighting .  However, we must also realize that many Aikido techniques are the result of Master Ueshiba's own innovation .

Upon closer examination, practitioners will find from Aikido what they are looking for, whether it is applicable self-defense techniques, spiritual enlightenment , physical health or peace of mind .  O sensei emphasized the moral and spiritual aspects of this art, placing great weight on the development of harmony and peace . " The Way of Harmony of the Spirit " is one way that " Aikido" may be translated into English .
At the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of Aikido, however, we may identify at least two fundamental threads :
(1)    A commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible .
(2)    A commitment to self-improvement through Aikido training .