Spiral forms are central to our lives. They can be seen in nature at all levels, the shapes of galaxies and the movement of our own solar system as it moves through our galaxy, the spinning of the earth itself as it travels through space across our solar system and galaxy. It can be seen in the way water goes down a drain, in the geometry of organic growth like the shells of snails, and even at a cellular level like the form of the DNA helix. At a subatomic level, the way electrons orbit protons is another example.

While it might be harder to see at first glance, the basic range of motion of the human body also unfolds in its most natural and efficient ways along spiral pathways. In fact, spiral motion allows for the most force and acceleration, if compared to linear of circular pathways. Our bodies are great at producing spiral movements, and at delivering force along them. The way our spine can twist, the way our limbs can amplify those spirals, the way bones of the forearms and lower legs have two bones that allow more twisting to allow the spirals even more range of motion, and the way the wrists and hands further twist and split into the five fingers, including the famous opposable thumbs; all show the centrality of the spiral in human anatomy and movement. Aikido studies and makes explicit the underlying potential of the force of movement along spiral pathways to amplify and maximize the use of our energy.