Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere

This book represents the best attempt at documenting Aikido techniques and physical exercises short of training. I got my copy after reading An Open Secret: A Student's Handbook for Learning Aikido Techniques of Self-Defense and the Aiki Way (great book, I highly recommend it to accompany this book). I wanted to get a better understanding of Aikido movement and have a reference for the various techniques taught at class.Westbrook and Ratti, the book's authors have done a tremendous job in compiling diagrams of Aikido technique, movement, exercise and principles. It is an illustrative guide that touches on nearly every aspect of physical Aikido training and attempts to quantify the mental - spiritual aspects that set Aikido apart in the martial arts. This is voluminous work that is nearly 400 pages long in print. When viewed in eBook format it's extremely big. The drawings are all original and illustrative of the author's understanding of Aikido. It's plain that this work was painstakingly created with great care and diligence.There is a brief historic summary of the Japanese martial arts to give a reader some sense of grounded history. The requisite details of proper etiquette, clothing, standard grading and a discussion of "energy" principles are given. This book while prepared in the 1960's, still sets the "standard" for all books on Aikido technique.Where the author's work fall short is in trying to quantify Aikido movement into charts, diagrams, flow charts, mathematical formula and physics. While the later certainly is a key element to initially learning techniques, to truly learn and understand the power of Aikido it must be felt. Like Life itself - Aikido is an experience.On the plus side, Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere represent the most thorough catalog of movement and techniques available anywhere. It is important to keep in mind that names of practices and techniques have been modified within Aikido sub-style since this book's first publication. Subsequent update revisions have not caught these differences.The information presented in this book can be confusing for beginning students. Advanced students will find that the information in this book can provide much insight and detail into the physics of Aikido technique.

This is one of the best books for Aikido practitioners, offering a comprehensive guide with detailed insights for mastering Aikido techniques. It has greatly influenced the Aikido community and is often referenced, though sometimes used without permission, for group or dojo logos.The copy I have is the eleventh printing, and despite being from 1974, the binding and pages remain intact—though the pages have a slight yellowish tint, as expected for its age. It’s a rare find and one of my best purchases.

I think this is the best book explaining a specific martial art that I've come across.Why is it exceptional? Several reasons. First, the authors are unusually articulate, and at times almost scholarly. Second, the book addresses both the philosophy of aikido (its tenets, values, and meditative characteristics), as well as the technique of aikido (its movements and defensive tactics), and it explains the link between the philosophy and technique in an especially coherent way. Third, the book delves into details of aikido technique using an extensive set of figural drawings and diagrams, which are easier to understand than a series of photographs would be. Fourth, the book also provides brief background regarding the institutional side of aikido: i.e., how is the art typically taught, what does does a dojo look like, what is the etiquette of a typical class, how does ranking work, etc.There's an almost anthropological quality to some of the material in this book -- again, quite scholarly. About the only aspect of aikido background that it doesn't cover in much detail is the history of the art, or of its founder, Morihei Uyeshiba. Notably, the book acknowledges up front that it provides only a limited introduction to the techniques (at ~370 pages): given its intent as an aikido handbook, rather than an aikido encyclopedia, I don't see that as a flaw.By contrast, there are many other martial arts books that basically consist of lists of techniques, with illustrative photographs that are very difficult for a non-practitioner to follow. Such books are often poorly written or poorly translated, and don't really convey the essence of what a particular martial art is, with regard to technique, philosophy, or pedagogy. This book stands out because it does convey that essence, and because the style of the writing itself actually *feels* a bit like aikido.If you are interested in either aikido or martial arts generally, this book is worth picking up. You won't be disappointed.

This is a fantastic book, overall, though I am probably not experienced enough yet to fully utilize it. The techniques are fully illustrated, and there is text to back it up where it's less clear. Foundational techniques like the kote gaeshi are illustrated in great detail, then other techniques that are built off of it are less descriptive, but still show what's going on. This book illustrates the flow of the techniques well, and while I'm sure it would be easier for a more experienced practitioner to follow, it helps me as a beginner to get a better grasp on the techniques that I've learned.

This is my favorite I have lost it moving 3 times and keep buying again and again it is very foundational.

Awesome TeachingLearning of the center of strength, the unbend able arm, and the infinite power and force focus through meditation.