Taido is a Japanese martial art with its roots in Karate and was developed over a 20-year period between 1945 and 1965 by Seiken Shukumine. Taido means the way of the body and mind and is based on five different movements, which are meant to represent the different elements.

Taido is based around the belief that scientific methodology and tradition can be melded together to form a three-dimensional martial art. Taido combines spiraling, jumping, falling, twisting and tumbling movements with quick punches and kicks. In its most advanced form, Taido uses acrobatic techniques such as back-flips, making it visually stunning as well as extremely effective. The five basic movement types in Taido are:

• Sen - Vertical spinning movement, like a top
• Un - Ascending and descending wave-like movement
• Hen - Falling movement characterized by changing the body's axis, like a falling tree
• Nen - a whirling, horizontal spinning movement
• Ten- Rolling and tumbling movement, like a ball

The combination of these movements with kicks or punches allows practitioners to perform defense and attacks in the same motion. Each technique combines movement and footwork, and blocks are rarely used. Instead, combatants dodge and counter. Because of the acrobatic nature of the martial art, it is a good form to begin learning at a young age.