Ai-hanmi (mutual stance): When both partners have the same foot advanced.

Agatsu (victory over self): O-Sense's "Second Principle of Aikido."

Atemi (strike): The defensive blow used to neutralize the ki of your partner. It should put him/her off-balance so a technique can be effectively applied. It is not meant to inflict injury.

Bokken: Wooden sword with two edges, or generically, any sword.

Bokuto: Wooden sword with one edge.

Bu (martial ardor): In Aikido, Bu signifies valor and indomitable spirit, not contention and strife. Aikido is the ultimate expression of Bu, which originally meant to prevent two weapons from coming together.

Budo (martial ways): Ways originating in the martial arts.

Budoka: Martial way practitioner.

Dan (level): Black belt rank.

Deshi: Student or discuple.

Do-gi: Training uniform.

Dojo (training hall): Buddhist temples and any training hall where a Way is practiced.

Doshu (Grandmaster): Following traditional Japanese custom, the position of Doshu has been hereditary. The current Doshu, Ueshiba Kisshoramu, is the Founder's son.

Gokyo: Number five pinning technique.

Gyaku-hanmi (reverse stance): When partners have opposite feet advanced; mirror image.

Hai: Yes.

Hakama: A divided, skirt-like pant. In most U.S. Aikido dojo, it is black or dark blue and worn by men of yudansha rank and by women of all ranks.

Henkawaza: Switching from one technique to another.

Hanmi (half open body): The basic triangular stance of Aikido.

Hanmi-handachi: Techniques done when Nage is kneeling (seiza) and Uke attacks from a standing position.

Hantai: Opposite or reverse.

Hara: The center or "one point" in the lower abdomen. This is also, reputedly, the physical center of the body.

Katsu haya hi: Victory faster than light. O-Sensei's "Third Principle of Aikido."

Hidari: Left.

Hiji: Elbow.

Hiza: Knee.

Hombu dojo (headquarter training hall): The headquarters of both the Japanese and the International Aikido Federations, located in Tokyo.

Ikkyo: Number one pinning technique.

Irimi: To enter, entering.

Jo: Wooden staff about shoulder height in length.

Jo-tori (jo take away): Techniques for disarming an opponent armed with a jo.

Juji-nage (crossed arms throw): Throw executed when one's partner's arms are crossed at right angles.

Jyuwaza: Freestyle throwing.

Kaeshi-waza: Counter techniques. Uke applies the initial technique to Nage.

Kaiten (open and turn): To revolve or turn.

Kakari-geiko (hard practice): Repetition of the same technique with many Uke.

Kanji: Japanese or Chinese written characters.

Kata (fixed form): Predetermined sequences of movements used as a learning technique in martial arts.

Keiki: Practice session or training.

Kiai (full of ki): On the physical plane, kiai is manifested as a piercing shout emanating from the depths of one's being. On the spiritual plane, it is manifested as a steady outpouring of vital energy.

Kohai: Junior student.

Kokyu (animating breath): When one's kokyu is full and deep, one is in tune with the workings of the universe.

Kokyu dosa: An exercise to develop your ki/breathing without using strength.

Kokyu-ho (breath meditation): A special set of meditation and development techniques aimed at calming the spirit and establishing true kokyu.

Koshi-nage (hip throw): Techniques throwing Uke over one's hips.

Kubi: Neck.

Ma-ai (distance): The proper space between two partners; varies with the height of the partners and whether or not they are holding weapons.

Masa-katsu (correct style of victory): O-Sensei's "First Principle of Aikido."

Men: Face or head.

Migi: Right.

Misogi (purification): Rites of breathing, or water used to purify body and mind; to remove various impurities and restore our true image. O-Sensei considered all forms of Aikido to be forms of misogi.

Mune: Chest

Nage: Throw or the person who throws.

Omote (forward): Techniques done moving forward or in front of Uke.

Onegai shimasu (I make a request): Please do me this favor.

O-Sensei (great teacher): A common way of referring to the founder, Ueshiba Morihei.

Rei (respect): The formal gesture of respect and gratitude used by Aikido practitioners.

Reigi: Etiquette or courtesy.

Ryo: Both.

Seiza (correct or calm sitting): Most formal and classic sitting style in Japan; sitting on knees with feet flat, left big tow over right and with about three fists space between knees, back straight.

Sempai: Senior student.

Sensei (teacher): Title used for instructor.

Shihan (teacher or teachers): Honorary title awarded to some of the highest-ranking teachers.

Shiho: Four directions.

Shikaku: Dead corner.

Shikko: Knee walking.

Shisei: Position, posture, attitude; both physical and mental.

Shomen: Front or top of head; also the front of a dojo.

Soto (out/outside): Movement outside of Uke's arm.

Suburi: A single movement using the ken or jo, done as a solo practice.

Suwari waza: Techniques done from a sitting (seiza) position.

Tachi-tori (sword taking): Techniques to disarm and/or neutralize an opponent armed with a sword.

Tachi-waza: Techniques done from a standing position. Also a technique applied with the help of the bokuto to throw Uke, who is trying to take it away from Nage.

Tanto: Knife.

Te: Hand.

Te-katana (hand sword): Since Aikido techniques are based on sword movements, the hand, with the fingers spread, should function as a sword. The little finger edge of the hand, blade-side.

Tekubi: Wrist.

Tenchi (heaven and earth): Aikido has a range of techniques called tenchi-nage: "heaven and earth throw."

Tenkan (turn): Refers to a direction of movement. Nage slides or steps to Uke's back and then generates a circle with Nage as the center and Uke as the outside of the circle.

Tenshin: To take a step backwards off of the line of attack.

Tsuki: Thrust or punch.

Uchi (inside): Movement inside or under Uke's arm.

Uchi-deshi (inner disciple): A student who lives in the dojo and acts as a 24-hour trainee/attendant.

Ude: Arm.

Udekime-nage (arm bar throw): Type of kokyunage where Uke's arm acts as a lever arm.

Uke (to receive): The partner who "receives" the technique or who is thrown, hence, the one attacking.

Ukemi (fall): Taking a controlled fall when thrown. Mae ukemi are forward rolls, ushiro ukemi are backward rolls.

Ushiro-waza (rear techniques): Techniques applied when one is attacked from the rear.

Waza: Technique.

Yokomen-uchi (side blow to the head): Uke cuts diagonally across Nage, neck to hip.

Yudansha: Person holding black belt rank.

Zanshin (unbroken concentration): Zanshin is the "follow through" of a technique. One is connected to Uke even after the throw in an unbroken flow of ki, simultaneously ready to receive any new attack. A moment of settling and stillness at the completion of a technique.