Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on.
This requires very little physical energy, as the aikido practitioner "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements.
The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks.
Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.
Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu. The founder early students' documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu.
Many of the founder senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him.
Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis.