I met a tall, bearded man who told me: 'I practise and learn aikido every weekend in Singapore.'
I asked him: 'What is aikido?'
Aikido defense against a sword. Picture from Wikipedia.
Aikido
He told me: 'Aikido means harmonious way. People over the age of fifty take it up because it doesn't require the strength and agility used by younger people in other martial arts.
He told me: 'Aikido means harmonious way. People over the age of fifty take it up because it doesn't require the strength and agility used by younger people in other martial arts.
'It is a form of defense used against a stronger assailant turning their strength against them. Imagine evading an opponent rushing towards you by stepping aside at the last minute and so they fall forward, using their strength against them!'
'Like tripping someone up? A bit like a rugby tackle.'
'It is non-violent. Aiki is Japanese for harmony and do means way.'
Bruce Lee
I asked:
'Which was the martial art started by Bruce Lee?'
'Which was the martial art started by Bruce Lee?'
Kung Fu is associated with Bruce Lee. I thought he invented it but apparently not. He just made it more popular.
Krav Maga
A third well-known martial arts defense system is Krav Maga. It was started by a Jewish man in Europe who needed self-defense and his system was taken to Israel where it was taught to the army. They have national service, like Singapore.
In London a member of my Toastmasters club was learning it with his fiancee. One meeting he turned up with a bandaged nose.
He still married her.
My friend in Singapore said:
'I am learning at a community club. You can learn almost anything in community clubs. Dancing, ballroom dancing - my friend is doing salsa.'
'I am learning at a community club. You can learn almost anything in community clubs. Dancing, ballroom dancing - my friend is doing salsa.'
They also have first aid classes. That could be handy - especially for any young man whose girlfriend gets too enthusiastic.
Tai Chi
A really slow oriental exercise is tai chi. You often see this being done by groups in public places, in factory compounds at the start of the day's work, or in the open air courtyards of the Singapore community clubs.
The moves are given animal names. Looks like a film in slow motion. No contact. Each person does their own thing.
Tai Chi
A really slow oriental exercise is tai chi. You often see this being done by groups in public places, in factory compounds at the start of the day's work, or in the open air courtyards of the Singapore community clubs.
The moves are given animal names. Looks like a film in slow motion. No contact. Each person does their own thing.
Useful Websites
SINGAPORE
visitsingapore.com
Singapore Airlines
singaporeair.com
Find a Community Club or course
https://www.pa.gov.sg/our-network/community-clubs/locate-cc
Aikido Info
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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