Aikido is an extremely effective form of self defense because its hand to hand technical

roots are based on the sword cutting and pinning motions that are found in ken jujitsu

and jujitsu arts respectively. The other aspects that support the effectiveness of Aikido is

its circular movements and stance from which the practitioner operates. Aikido students

are trained to subdue hostile energy by using the aforementioned motions and methods

in order subdue an opponent with locks, pins and/or throws.

What also makes Aikido a effective form of self defense is that it does not rely solely on

the strength and agility of the practitioner.