As with other martial arts, and the various forms of jujitsu in particular, on a purely mechanical level Aikido utilizes a wide range of joint locks and pins in subduing one's opponent. Aikido consists of much more than just these, however: timing, balance, and breathing are all crucial elements in the practice of the art and the execution of any given technique. Rather than meeting force with force head on, through proper posture, balance, motion, and breathing, one learns to blend one's force with that of the would-be attacker, thereby taking control of the force and direction of the attack and making these a part of the unfolding technique. This idea of blending rather than clashing, of moving with the attacker rather than against him or her, lies at the very heart of the art, and is apparent even in its name - "Aikido" - which can be translated quite literally as the "Way of bringing together Ki."

This emphasis on blending rather than confrontation is also reflected in the way one learns and practices Aikido. Although it is possible to speak of an "attacker" and a "defender" in regard to any given technique, in the dojo, or training hall, there are only partners, rather than "combatants" or "competitors." In other words, people take turns in the roles of "attacker," or uke - the person who delivers a specified form of attack (such as a punch, strike, or hold) - and "defender," or nage - who absorbs this attack in order to execute the particular technique being practiced. Although one partner might deliver an attack with a great deal of force, and the other might in turn respond with an equally powerful and effective execution of the technique, it is never a competition: at any given moment, each partner understands his or her role in practicing the technique at hand. Such a cooperative spirit in training allows beginners to learn the proper movements, posture, and breathing involved in Aikido, without becoming caught up in trying to "win" or "beat" their partner. Indeed, approaching practice as a kind of competition not only impedes one's progress in learning Aikido, but can also be dangerous, since a properly executed technique can deliver a tremendous amount of force to a very localized area, resulting in serious injury for someone who tries to resist. Avoiding competition in practice also creates a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in which people of different genders, sizes, ages, and levels of physical strength can come together to learn Aikido and help each other along the path to a greater understanding of its principles.

Although the unarmed, or taijutsu, techniques are by far the most frequently practiced in Aikido, learning to use the sword (ken) and staff (jo) is also of pivotal importance in one's training. O-sensei practiced these disciplines extensively and incorporated the posture and movements of them into Aikido in such a way that, through practicing with the sword or staff, one can gain fuller insight into the way one's body should move in the taijutsu techniques, and vice versa. Here too, partners practice using these weapons in a cooperative frame of mind, with each taking turns at being the attacker or defender in a series of paired exercises that stress important aspects of posture, timing, breathing, and harmonious blending of motion. While generally harder to understand than the taijutsu techniques, once one begins to grasp the inner logic of how these weapons are used and the way the body moves in the process of properly wielding a sword or staff, weapons training can become one of the most intriguing and rewarding aspects of one's practice.

The health benefits of Aikido are numerous. As a martial art that is not based on competition and does not require physical training to increase one's strength or stamina, one need not be in optimal physical condition to begin learning Aikido. Since partners cooperate rather than compete in practice, one can work through the technique being practiced at one's own desired pace, using whatever speed and strength one is comfortable with at one's particular level of physical condition and knowledge of Aikido. This does not mean, of course, that Aikido practice is necessarily slow or soft. Once one becomes familiar with the kinds of joint locks, throws, and pins involved, and learns to move and fall in response to these in a way that will prevent serious injury, practice between such partners can become fast and powerful, providing quite an aerobic workout for both. In addition, Aikido's emphasis on proper breathing, balance, and posture results in the steady improvement of all of these in one's daily life, and provides a sense of being more "charged" with energy and in tune with one's body.

It is difficult to offer a general description of the psychological benefits to be gained through practicing Aikido, since these are no doubt as numerous and varied as the personalities of those practicing it. More has been written on this aspect of Aikido, both in Japan and abroad, than on any other aspect of the martial art. While this is no place to delve into a discussion of the debates involved, one may say that a great deal of popular writing on Aikido tends to put a psychological spin on ideas that were for the Founder part of a profoundly esoteric religious worldview, based on his deep faith in Shinto and the related religion of Omotokyo. In any case, those who practice Aikido are not called upon to embrace the tenets of any particular religion, although many people become almost "religious" about working out at the dojo as often as they can. On the most mundane level, perhaps, the level of concentration that a person gradually learns to bring to their practice of Aikido techniques, focusing on various aspects of their own bodies and movements, as well as those of their partner, has the effect of increasing one's bodily awareness and power of concentration. The lack of competition in the dojo, as well as the emphasis on blending with an attack rather than meeting force with force, gradually helps one adopt a less antagonistic attitude towards situations of conflict, whether physical or emotional. Furthermore, the sense of well-being and contentment one finds in working out with close friends in a lively dojo is certainly another of the many sublime psychological benefits of practicing Aikido.