The utility of any martial art lies in the training of the mind and for some also the conditioning of the body. A technique is only practical to a situation, but the training and discipline of the mind to get you that skill level so you can execute the technique can be used for other areas of your life.
For example, anyone can be made to reach a certain level of proficiency when they are pushed by a trainer/teacher. But beyond a certain point, if a student of martial art (or anything for that matter) wishes to progress, they have to have that inner drive and discipline. They have to be self-sufficient in finding the solution to their task and understand what they get trying to accomplish. This inner drive to push yourself without someone else goading you do it is no different than what you would use to make yourself study and get good grades or make yourself do a difficult job your boss assigns you.
Iaido is generally very low impact, so it is not typically an art that would be pursued for fitness purposes. However, the virtue of iaido lies in the cognitive and mental skills that practicing the art form develops. In that sense, it has applicability into virtually any area of your life especially in areas that require strategy, focus, etc. It is fundamentally true what Miyamoto Musashi said, "If you know the Way [of the long sword] broadly you will see it in everything." Many lines of iaido were heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism, and while they are not inherently religious in nature many of those Zen concepts drive the mental approach the swordsman takes when engaging an enemy. Fortunately, those approaches are also successful when applied in other contexts as well.
I don't think you will find that it will necessarily help you in a street fight, at least maybe not in the ways you were thinking, since sparring is not included in the curriculum of most styles. Overall, it can be a great art to practice if it is something that interests you, but you may be disappointed if you are expecting a more combative art form.
To be honest. It's impractical compared to kendo, fencing, etc. UNLESS you're able to turn the drawing techniques into sparring material. When you're talking about practicality you're talking about its usefulness and effectiveness. So Iaijutsu alone is crap no offense to the practitioners until you can use it in sparring. When you get a feel for live combat the practicality of the drawing techniques will become effective depending on the users skills. No matter how many times you practice something if you can't apply it there will be no point. This is why kendo is the better choice because you're constantly learning how to apply the waza in combat. While in the heat of battle you're pressured to think quickly and through that experience you will develop a tactical wheel-like many true no-nonsense sword styles.
So Iaido......what does it do? Chop straw mats? Once again.....unless you can spar by using the drawing techniques it won't do you no good if you're talking about the practicality of the art, "boards don't fight back". I know a lot of people will tell me otherwise and that "I don't know anything" but really you're talking to an epee/rapier/jianshu fencer that have done freestyle bouts against countless sword disciplines. So you might want to think twice before you lecture me-especially if you're all talk and wikipedia with no experience.
Unless wearing sword as a side arm becomes a thing(maybe in a post apocalypse zombie invasion setting XD), no iaido won't have practical purpose again. It's more of historical, traditional, and mental training in my opinion. I think iaido would instill zen like mindset with 'practice makes perfect' principle being drilled in you. Kendo in my opinion has more of combative applications because you are distancing a moving target, sensing their intention of attack, foiling their attack, fainting an intention, working the angles, and etc. Working the ability to read your opponent and gauge distance really and I think because it's one good hit scores points type of a thing you get really sensitive to those two abilities.
besides relaxing and building up the mind. the techniques are similar to large circle jujitsu and can be used without a weapon.
the foot work and tactics are found in several other styles and be beneficial in to the styles they are not in.
a sword can easily be replaced by a walking stick or cane so it can also be used in self defense as well
For some Iaido is an art where they get to practice a living breathing history, to be part of a continued tradition and preserve an important piece of cultural history. Others enjoy more personal benefits, in learning to develop a sense of calm while in the midst of stress. All participants regardless of their personal motivations and benefits they derive from the study of Iaido all share in the increased physical co-ordination and dexterity improved through training along with substantial improvement in mental awareness, concentration and ‘focus’ – all honed through regular practice.
Its all in the mind.
Does it have any? If i were to learn this martial art it would be purely because i like finesse and emphasis on tenchnique but would it help in a street fight or altercation or increase my reaction time?
