Taido is a martial art created in Japan by Seiken Shukumine.
Taido has its foundations in classical Okinawan Karate.
Fearing that Budo, particularly karate, were failing to meet the needs of modern society, Shukumine founded a school of Budo called Genseiryu in the early 1950s. Later, Shukumine saw karate as uninspired and unchanging. He became convinced that the limitations of karate lay in its linearity.
In 1965, he expanded his theories of motion beyond the boundaries of karate and established Taido. Shukumine thought about how to make techniques more flexible and applicable.
Taido's movements offered many innovations: the addition of spinning and twisting movements, acrobatic maneuvers, fast and effective footwork, and a changing body angle. The word Taido translates as "way of the body."
So what makes Taido unique? Taido techniques make use of changes of the body's axis in order to facilitate simultaneous defense and attacking movements. Taido also emphasizes the use of footwork to take advantageous angles and distance to the opponent. This footwork is functionally connected to the body mechanics that underlie each kick, punch, or other technique. Taido uses exciting body movement to create powerful strikes and manage the spatial relationship with the opponent. Taido's thought process is based on creative reaction to changing situations instead of pre-determined algorithms of offensive maneuvers and defense. Taido's movements are also designed for improving health and longevity.
According to its creator, Taido's highest goal is to enable its practitioners to function at a high level in society.
There are five main rules in Taido. Keep your mind as clear and uncluttered as the polished surface of a still pond. This way you will see the truth of the situation. Having a responsive attitude will help you avoid confusion. Be composed. Body and mind should be united. Carry yourself with dignity and you need never doubt yourself. fill your spirit with proper breathing methods. With the right intention you will never be threatened. In every thing you do, follow the correct precepts you have practiced. By doing so, you cannot act wrongly. Be adaptable in your techniques and maintain freedom of physical movement. The right technique will prevent you from being beaten.
Taido includes five classes of body movements: vertical spinning movement, rising and falling jumping movement, lever-like movement characterized by tilting the body's axis, horizontal spinning movement, and acrobatic movements. These movements are follwed by strikes, kicks, and other attacks. The last category, called "tentai," includes gymnastic movements, for instance somersaults, which makes Taido spectacular to watch.
Taido has a special method of footwork, known as unsoku, as well as acrobatic locomotion, termed unshin. Competitions in Taido include sparring, forms, and Tenkai, which is a pre-arranged combat between one "hero" and five opponents. In Tenkai the judges award scores to the teams in a similar manner as is done in many Olympic sports.
Even after saying all that, unless you've actually seen Taido, you likely still won't have any real idea of what Taido is about. Also, merely knowing about the techniques doesn't show you what Taido is aiming for.
Of course, Taido is an evolving martial art, so no definition can really encompass all that Taido is. Everyone eventually develops their own ways to apply Taido to what they do and how they move. Taido itself emphasizes creativity and the development of new techniques.
This is not a martial art that will remain the same for long. Taido is currently practiced in Japan, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Denmark, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, and the USA. - 31491
Fearing that Budo, particularly karate, were failing to meet the needs of modern society, Shukumine founded a school of Budo called Genseiryu in the early 1950s. Later, Shukumine saw karate as uninspired and unchanging. He became convinced that the limitations of karate lay in its linearity.
In 1965, he expanded his theories of motion beyond the boundaries of karate and established Taido. Shukumine thought about how to make techniques more flexible and applicable.
Taido's movements offered many innovations: the addition of spinning and twisting movements, acrobatic maneuvers, fast and effective footwork, and a changing body angle. The word Taido translates as "way of the body."
So what makes Taido unique? Taido techniques make use of changes of the body's axis in order to facilitate simultaneous defense and attacking movements. Taido also emphasizes the use of footwork to take advantageous angles and distance to the opponent. This footwork is functionally connected to the body mechanics that underlie each kick, punch, or other technique. Taido uses exciting body movement to create powerful strikes and manage the spatial relationship with the opponent. Taido's thought process is based on creative reaction to changing situations instead of pre-determined algorithms of offensive maneuvers and defense. Taido's movements are also designed for improving health and longevity.
According to its creator, Taido's highest goal is to enable its practitioners to function at a high level in society.
There are five main rules in Taido. Keep your mind as clear and uncluttered as the polished surface of a still pond. This way you will see the truth of the situation. Having a responsive attitude will help you avoid confusion. Be composed. Body and mind should be united. Carry yourself with dignity and you need never doubt yourself. fill your spirit with proper breathing methods. With the right intention you will never be threatened. In every thing you do, follow the correct precepts you have practiced. By doing so, you cannot act wrongly. Be adaptable in your techniques and maintain freedom of physical movement. The right technique will prevent you from being beaten.
Taido includes five classes of body movements: vertical spinning movement, rising and falling jumping movement, lever-like movement characterized by tilting the body's axis, horizontal spinning movement, and acrobatic movements. These movements are follwed by strikes, kicks, and other attacks. The last category, called "tentai," includes gymnastic movements, for instance somersaults, which makes Taido spectacular to watch.
Taido has a special method of footwork, known as unsoku, as well as acrobatic locomotion, termed unshin. Competitions in Taido include sparring, forms, and Tenkai, which is a pre-arranged combat between one "hero" and five opponents. In Tenkai the judges award scores to the teams in a similar manner as is done in many Olympic sports.
Even after saying all that, unless you've actually seen Taido, you likely still won't have any real idea of what Taido is about. Also, merely knowing about the techniques doesn't show you what Taido is aiming for.
Of course, Taido is an evolving martial art, so no definition can really encompass all that Taido is. Everyone eventually develops their own ways to apply Taido to what they do and how they move. Taido itself emphasizes creativity and the development of new techniques.
This is not a martial art that will remain the same for long. Taido is currently practiced in Japan, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Denmark, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, and the USA. - 31491
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