Verified answer

If by "effective" you mean useful in a self-defense situation, then yes, Aikido CAN be a very effective martial art. If you mean something else by "effective," if you clarify I will try to answer more specifically.

The use of Aikido in self-defense situations depends on a number of factors:

(1) Your instructor. The quality of the technique you are taught and therefore the experience of your Sensei.

(2) The number of years you have studied. Like any other martial art, one cannot study for a month, jump into a fight and expect to win. Proficiency takes practice, practice, practice.

(3) The knowledge of your opponent. A martial arts practitioner, or random drunk on the street? For sparring purposes, or to fight people with a working knowledge of MA, Aikido is more of a supplement than a foundation. That being said, you can easily bring unsuspecting attackers to their knees with basic Aikido technique.

Finally, as I think someone said, Aikido is fun!! And since it's probably free, go do it! You'll enjoy, if the instructor is worth his salt at all.

I've been into Aikido for quite some time. Is it affective, Hell Yes! I believe the Japanese riot police force gets trained in Aikido and its compulsory for Japanese women police officers, even the Los Angeles Police Force have taken onboard some of the techniques! The real beauty of Aikido as a martial art is that its all about pure skill. Its not based around how strong you are or how flexible your hamstrings are or how many bricks you can smash with your head. This is why its so great. Shhh... don't tell everyone because I think its a best kept secret. Hope this helps. Bill

Aikido is an effective Martial Art, but it takes years of dedication in order to become proficient For most self defense situations it is suitable.

MAs are only as effective as the martial artists who use them and how competent their instructors are.

Its actually very fun and the basis is if some attacks you by pushing you pull and vice versa its all about using your opponent force against him.