Progressive Aikido: The Essential Elements

If you are a practicing aikidoist, this would make a great coffee table book. I'm not saying that in a bad way. It's good to pick up a book like this once in a while just to study the pictures for something you may have missed in a class that sometimes moves pretty fast. Mr Ueshiba is very, very knowledgable of his art and shows you what he can in just such a book. I highly reccommend it.

good pictures, descriptions. practice with another person is best. This helps to understand techniques.

Excellent book on akido fundamentals, of course Ueshiba related to O' sensi gives great background of the art and the diagrams and pictures are very well detailed. Highly recommend for the beginner and intermediate.

In this book, Moriteru Ueshiba explains basic principles of aikido, including ukemi, tai sabaki, tegatana position when applying techniques, etc. Some katame waza, nage waza, and buki waza are also described in this book. Detail positioning is also shown in clear photographs. It is very recommended especially for beginners.However, there is one mistake that I found. The last half of the side-view of the mae ukemi performed by takeshi kanazawa shihan is mistaken with the ushiro ukemi.

A well-written and illustrated book of Aikido techniques. Excellent for those interested in the tradition and practiceof the martial art.

Great book!!!

The cover not same with the content, many basic information (other title)

I study Honbu ("original") and Iwama style aikido, and I've purchased a number of aikido books, including Best Aikido and Kisshomaru Ueshiba's Aikido. I like all the books, but I keep going to Progressive Aikido for reviewing techniques. It's my favorite book for going over the things I've learned or am about to learn in class. Why? Because the photos are clear (photo quality is better than the other books, and it's easier to see the details), with many close-ups, and also photos from different angles for the same technique. There are many pointers along with the photos, with short and clear advice that makes you feel like you're taking an aikido class and the teacher is pointing out something to you. The other books don't include such detailed exposition of techniques.Some people say, this book is redundant if you have the other books. Maybe this is true, in a certain way. Honbu-style changes a little bit over time, but the techniques are generally the same. They are tried-and-true. However, this is in fact the latest book from the heart of Honbu-style aikido from the head of aikido, who is the grandson of Morihei Ueshiba; so it is best not to take lightly the efforts of someone who has lived and breathed aikido all his life. So what is the contribution of this book? I'd say the detailed but succinct descriptions and advice which makes the book not just a reference manual but also an instruction manual (for both teachers and students). It is clear that in the book the author addresses key points and issues that he must have noticed students having to learn (or fix) all the time. Also, this is the first book in English (as far as I know) by Moriteru Ueshiba himself only (Best Aikido was a collaboration between father and son), so although Honbu-style is meant to be the "original style" and not really changeable, per se, I think each new doshu inevitably brings his own perspective and points of emphases, etc., and we can read with interest here the perspective and style of the current doshu.In summary, I'd say, unless you're studying a rather different style of aikido (e.g., yoshinkan), this is a book definitely worth having. Especially if you're an earnest student of aikido who wants to make sure to get the techniques right, and would enjoy getting some pointers and advice from the doshu himself, via the printed page.

good book great service

Ein sehr gutes Buch für die Jenigen die neben dem regelmäßigen Training einige Details auf Bildern als hilfreich betrachten.Mir hilft es immer solche Detail einmal Bild für Bild zu sehen

Not quite an updated book from Doshu's previous Best Aikido book. Doshu provides explanations for each aspect of Aikido practice from philosophy to movement and techniques. I found the book useful in my reflections of Aikido practice and how best to convey it to my students. A systematic book that is very useful for students starting out on their Aikido journey. Don't expect it, or any book on Aikido, to be totally comprehensive that covers everything. The vastness of Aikido practice makes that virtually impossible and can only be experienced during actual practice in the Dojo.

Excellent!

Bought this for a friend, he was very pleased with it and it was delivered quickly