Aikido, as most people know it, was developed by Morihei Ueshiba in 1900s.

Nihon Goshin Aikido is similar because both have roots in Daito-ryu aikijujitsu, a martial art taught to warriors to help them fight off much larger, armed opponents.

But NGA also teaches punches, kicks and nerve pressure points as primary techniques in addition to the joint locks and throws associated with Aikido.

Discipline

Nihon is another way of saying "Nippon" which means Japan or Japanese. Goshin means self-defense. Aikido translates roughly as "The way in harmony with the spirit." Therefore, it's Japanese self-defense Aikido.

Benefit

Builds self-confidence while focusing on self-defense. The self-confidence comes quickly. The self-defense takes time, patience and hard work.

Tourneys

Never. Aikido requires cooperation because techniques are reactions to attacks. Without a partner, there is no attack, without an attack there is no technique.

Rankings

50 "classical techniques" and countless applications are taught. A white belt gets 10 techniques and a few applications. After passing a test, the student gets a yellow belt. The pattern continues through blue, green and purple belts. Brown belts polish their techniques and also learn how to teach the art. Obtaining a black belt signifies that the student is a certified to teach NGA. There are six black belt rankings.

Children

Children have their own classes and ranking structure at the Aikido Academy. Children learn the same techniques as adult students, but the concepts are taught in a way that is easier for children to grasp. Once they have completed the four children's sets or after demonstrating good self-control and passing the adult yellow belt test, young men and women may be invited to join adult classes.

Weapons

Most weapons work is used in defense, such as knife defenses or defending against blunt clubs. Other weapons work is used to add to the foundation of stances and movements. Wyndham likens it to running with weights on your ankles. If you can do a movement well while holding a sword, once you put it down, your movement will be more fluid.