What is Aikido

So what is Aikido?
"Aikido is the principle of nonresistance.
Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning.
Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished."
Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido

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[KI]

[DO]

Ai (pronounced eye). Ai means harmony. Aikido's principles are embodied in the word "ai". The strategy of Aikido is to blend or harmonize with the attacker's energy. Aikido is non-aggressive. However, misinterpretations of "harmony" arise. First, people think harmony means passive. This is not Aikido. On the contrary, Aikido is extremely dynamic and powerful, but the goal of Aikido is to seek peace in the face of conflict.

Ki (pronounced key). A definition for Ki, in English, could never really encompass its whole meaning. In Aikido its meaning is "unseen force" or spirit or energy. Training in Aikido cultivates the spirit through discipline and sacrifice. The training of the spirit is essential to any martial art. The philosophy of Aikido is that through rigorous training we may be able overcome the conflict within ourselves. Once at peace, we will be able to harmonize with any attacking energy regardless of its verbal, physical, or emotional energy.

Do (pronounced dough). Do means path or way. Aikido is not a sport. A Do is not a sport. Aikido instead is a Budo. The training of Aikido does not involved comparing yourself with others to see who is the best. Instead students trains to improve themselves as human beings. O-Sensei, the founder of Aikido, said that "Aikido is not for correcting others but for correcting your own mind." Mentioned earlier, Aikido is not a sport -- there are no competitions (some styles do compete, but the founder was specifically against this). Competition is about winning. Period. Winning at someone else's expense is really losing. In Aikido students improve themselves through rigorous training and working with other students who are better and more experienced.

Our Children's Program Son doing Ikkyo on his father.

Aikido is great for children because it teaches cooperation, respect, compassion, and above all, it teaches that there is an alternative to fighting.

In Aikido, children develop self-defense skills, self-esteem, manners, integrity, virtue, discipline, flexibility and strength of character.

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Our Adult Program

Aikido is great for adults for the same reason it's great for children. However, the training for adults is more intensive and, as a result, has more potential for developing peace within our busy lives.

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