In this video from mocaenboca.tv, in Spain, Rafael Regaño Sensei introduces the viewers to Aikido. This is one of the best videos I’ve seen yet for explaining what Aikido is. It’s in Spanish, with English subtitles. An excerpt:

“The purpose is to enter into harmony with your training partner and then gradually to integrate the philosophy to extend that harmony towards society, one’s surrounding, etc. It’s not a combat art, but one of harmony and unity. The idea is union with oneself and one’s partner, using martial arts, but without the components of aggressivity and competitiveness. It’s a peaceful philosophy.”