| Originally Aikido, being developed from Aikijujutsu, contained strikes, bone breaks (less gentle than the ones taught today), etc. However, Ueshiba, as he got older, got better and no longer needed the strikes as much, so he stopped teaching them. Aikido was originally only marginally different from AikiJujutsu, which itself, was just a more circular version of Jujutsu. There are still 'hard' styles of Aikido practiced, for example, Yoshinkan (the style spoken of in Angry White Pyjamas) seems to be a harder style as modern Aikido is concerned. At its pinnacle, all Aikido should be gentle and flowing a beautiful.
As far as Aikido looking too choreographed, it has to be, because if the Uke (partner) does not go with the technique injury will most likely result. Aikido done on non-Aikido trained people often results in broken or dislocated bones, torn ligaments, etc. |