An effective self-defense does not have to be violent and destructive. The dynamics of Aikido gives us the option of a hard or soft response to aggression, and the calmness of mind to choose appropriately.

Techniques involve blending with the energy of an attack, drawing the attacker out of their area of strength, and redirecting the energy of the attack to a favorable outcome.

Principles of harmony, blending with adversity, and leading a conflict to a positive resolution makes Aikido applicable to physical conflict as well as daily life.