Aikido is usually seen as a defensive martial art, but in order to do good defense, we also practice good offensive strikes and grabs. Ultimately, offense and defense are the same. Clearly, Aikido is a wonderful and effective martial art, providing many other benefits: stamina, balance, control, breathing, mental and physical acuity, calm, and stress reduction. At its best, Aikido training can help people negotiate conflict on and off the mat. Because we are non-competitive, Aikido is done in a spirit of cooperation and non-judgment.