Aikido from A to Z Jo DVD by Reiner Brauhardt

Wooden Stick in Aikido

By Shihan Reiner Brauhardt, Kyoshi, 8th Dan Aikido

• Jo Suburi
• Jo Waza
• Jo Dori
• And More

Aikido, founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century, is one of the world's most respected Japanese martial arts. While best known for its empty-hand techniques, traditional weapons training plays a vital role in understanding the principles of the art. Among these weapons, the Jo (wooden staff) occupies a central place, helping practitioners develop timing, distance, balance, body movement, and the coordination that lies at the heart of Aikido.

As a purely defensive martial art, Aikido emphasizes harmony rather than confrontation. Instead of opposing force with force, practitioners blend with an attack and redirect the opponent's energy through throws, joint controls, and immobilizations. The goal is to neutralize aggression effectively while avoiding unnecessary injury. In this way, Aikido cultivates both physical skill and mental discipline.

In the acclaimed instructional series Aikido from A to Z, Grand Master Reiner Brauhardt (Kyoshi, 8th Dan Aikido) presents a complete and systematic study of the art, guiding students from the fundamentals to advanced techniques with and without weapons. A true pioneer of Aikido in Germany, Brauhardt Sensei began training more than forty years ago and has taught professionally since 1985, operating one of Germany's leading Aikido schools in Siegen.

This volume focuses on the Jo, one of the traditional weapons of Japanese martial arts and an essential training tool in Aikido. Through clear demonstrations and detailed instruction, Brauhardt Sensei covers the fundamentals of sabaki (body movement), Jo Suburi (basic solo exercises), Jo Waza (staff techniques), and Jo Dori (defenses against the staff). Each technique is presented in combination with a variety of traditional Aikido attacks, allowing students to understand not only the mechanics of the Jo but also its relationship to empty-hand practice.

Whether you are new to Aikido or an experienced practitioner seeking to deepen your weapons training, this comprehensive program provides a solid foundation for mastering the Jo and integrating its principles into every aspect of your Aikido practice.

Languages: English, German, French
Running Time: 59 Minutes