Rating: 
Summary: Go Shioda!
Review: This book doesn't just explain the "how" as many martial arts book do but the "why" as well. It covers basics and some intermediate techniques. This will be a great supplement to your aikido studies.
Rating:
Summary: Great supplement to class
Review: This is a great book for helping you understand techniques. I don't think that anyone could ever learn Aikido from a book but this book is a valuable supplement to the time you spend practicing in class. This book helps you understand some of the specific details of a technique that may be easily missed in class. I use this book in addition to the video which my sensei makes to supplement my class time and refine my technique at home.
Rating:
Summary: Great supplement to class
Review: This is a great book for helping you understand techniques. I don't think that anyone could ever learn Aikido from a book but this book is a valuable supplement to the time you spend practicing in class. This book helps you understand some of the specific details of a technique that may be easily missed in class. I use this book in addition to the video which my sensei makes to supplement my class time and refine my technique at home.
Rating:
Summary: The best Aikido book out there!
Review: This is a great overview of Aikido. It explains the details of aiki without getting into too much philosophy, and the basic techniques - which is all you'll really ever need.The pictures are very clear, and everything is well explained. If you're already a martial artist, these techniques will be a great supplement to your existing arsenal.
Rating:
Summary: The best Aikido book out there!
Review: This is a great overview of Aikido. It explains the details of aiki without getting into too much philosophy, and the basic techniques - which is all you'll really ever need. The pictures are very clear, and everything is well explained. If you're already a martial artist, these techniques will be a great supplement to your existing arsenal.
Rating:
Summary: The best Aikido book out there!
Review: This is a great overview of Aikido. It explains the principles of aiki without getting into too much philosophy. The author mentions that Aikido is 70% striking ("atemi") which is very different from what you'll hear from most Aikidoka. Most Aikidoka that I come into contact with seem to forget that Aikido is a martial art and not a dance. The best set-up for an Aiki technique is to first belt your opponent. The basic techniques (which is all you'll really ever need for self-defense) are explained in detail and demonstrated with clear black-n-white photos. If you're already a martial artist, these techniques will be a great supplement to your existing arsenal.
Rating:
Summary: The best Aikido book out there!
Review: This is a great overview of Aikido. It explains the principles of aiki without getting into too much philosophy. The author mentions that Aikido is 70% striking ("atemi") which is very different from what you'll hear from most Aikidoka. Most Aikidoka that I come into contact with seem to forget that Aikido is a martial art and not a dance. The best set-up for an Aiki technique is to first belt your opponent. The basic techniques (which is all you'll really ever need for self-defense) are explained in detail and demonstrated with clear black-n-white photos. If you're already a martial artist, these techniques will be a great supplement to your existing arsenal.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable
Review: This is a great training guide and provides great insight into what makes a successful Aikidoka.
Rating:
Summary: Can take a lot of confusion out of learning aikido
Review: This isn't your book if you want to read on spirituality or history. However, Shioda does an excellent job of detailing, and giving proper emphasis to, throws and "controls" found again and again in variations of techniques. He points out common mistakes. I find that reading this book enables me to duplicate classroom demonstrations I'd previously found much more difficult to understand. I think Shioda's combination of meticulous photography, along with the book's comprehensive scope, makes this book a great text if you practice for fitness, love of physics or aesthetics, or self-defense.
Rating:
Summary: Can take a lot of confusion out of learning aikido
Review: This isn't your book if you want to read on spirituality or history. However, Shioda does an excellent job of detailing, and giving proper emphasis to, throws and "controls" found again and again in variations of techniques. He points out common mistakes. I find that reading this book enables me to duplicate classroom demonstrations I'd previously found much more difficult to understand. I think Shioda's combination of meticulous photography, along with the book's comprehensive scope, makes this book a great text if you practice for fitness, love of physics or aesthetics, or self-defense.
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