Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere - (Tuttle Martial Arts) by Westbrook & Oscar Ratti (Paperback)

About the Book

The best, most comprehensive book ever published on aikido

Book Synopsis

Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere: An Illustrated Introduction provides a complete foundation in the practice of one of the most distinctive and useful Japanese martial arts.

Aikido was created in Japan in the 1920's by Morihei Ueshiba, also known as Osensei. To possess the skills, techniques and attitude of the faithful practitioner of aikido, one must achieve a very high level of integration of the powers of mind and body, the harmonious combination of physical means and ethical motives. By controlling body position and learning how to harmonize important physical and mental abilities, anyone (regardless of size, strength or weight) can fend off attacks using this sophisticated martial art.

Written and illustrated by husband/wife team, Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook, Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere, with over 1,200 illustrations, includes many Aikido techniques in chapters such as:

• What is Aikido?
• The Foundations of Aikido
• The Practice of Aikido
• The Basic Techniques of Neutralization
• Advanced Practice
• And more!

Review Quotes

"...an outstanding introduction to the art of Aikido. Anyone starting out in aikido would do well to buy this book, read the beginning chapters of it and then review it from time to time. Great book!" --AikidoJournal.com

"...one of the best books on Aikido on the market. Not only for the beginner but for the advanced practitioner. It's well respected by most people in Aikido. If you're looking for a good, in-depth book, this is the one you'll want." --RyukyuBooks.com

"...this is a fine addition to any library. [...]the book definitely is worth owning." --BestJudo.com

"If you are a student of Aikido, this book should definitely be in your library. If you're not a student of Aikido, this book can still be a useful way to familiarize yourself with the art on a theoretical level. It's also an interesting resource for anyone who wants to do some serious thinking about their martial art. Anyone who has ambitions to write a book on their own martial art should read this one; this is how an art should be presented." --Examiner.com

"It has been a most useful reference for me over the years, and I'd highly encourage any adult to make it a part of your personal Aikido library." --Teresa Mastison Sensei, Aikido of Phoenix

About the Author

Oscar Ratti received his degree in classical studies and law from the University of Naples where he was intercollegiate Greek-Roman wrestling champion and a member of the championship judo team. He later came to the United States and began to study aikido with Yasuo Ohara, one of the first instructors to teach in New York.

Adele Westbrook studied philosophy at Columbia University at the same time co-author Oscar Ratti was doing graduate work in the classical languages. They began to practice aikido together, and while studying under a variety of instructors in the United States and Europe, started the collection of notes and sketches which finally developed into this illustrated introduction to the art of aikido.

They also authored Secrets of the Samurai, and Mr. Ratti, now deceased, also provided the illustrations for Code of the Samurai, both available from Tuttle Publishing.