Hatayama Shihan will be coming to our Dojo in November 2008 for our 10th anniversary celebration/seminar.

Please join us, this seminar is open to any style of martial art, any rank.
  

  


Conratulations to Rick Testa Sensei on passing his Nidan exam February 2008

  

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Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (Often referred to by his title "O Sensei" or "Great Teacher"). On a purely physical level, it is an art involving projections and joint locks derived from jiu-jitsu and kenjutsu. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking an attacker, but rather on using an attacker's energy to gain control. Aikido is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement.

Aikido, practitioners will find what they are looking for, whether it is applicable self-defense technique, spiritual enlightenment, physical health or peace of mind. O' Sensei emphasized the moral and spiritual aspects of this art, placing great weight on the development of harmony and peace. "The Way of Harmony of the Spirit" is one way that "Aikido" may be translated into English. This is still true of Aikido today and it is the most basic tenet of the art.

"Aikido is not an art to fight with enemies and defeat them. It is a way to lead all human beings to live in harmony with each other as though everyone were one family."

Aikido's founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was born in Japan on December 14, 1883. As a boy, he often saw local thugs assault his father for political reasons. He set out to make himself strong so that he could take revenge. He devoted himself to hard physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts, receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting. In spite of his impressive physical and martial capabilities, he felt very dissatisfied. He began delving into religions in hopes of findinga deeper significance of life, while continuing to pursue his studies of budo, the martial arts.

By combining his martial training with his religious and political ideologies, he created the martial art of Aikido. Ueshiba decided on the name "Aikido" in 1942. Prior to this decision, he called his martial art "aikibudo" and "aikinomichi".

On the technical side of Aikido, it is rooted in several styles of jujitsu, in particular daitoryu-aiki jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts. However, we must also realize that many Aikido techniques are the result of Ueshiba's own innovation.

"The secret of Aikido is to make yourself become one with the universe and to go along with its natural movements."

On the religious side of Aikido, Ueshiba was a devotee of one of Japan's so-called "new religions," Omotokyo. Omotokyo was, and is, part neo-Shintoism, and part socio-political idealism. One goal of Omotokyo has been the unification of all humanity in a single "heavenly kingdom on earth" where all religions unite under the banner of Omotokyo. It is impossible sufficiently to understand many of O-sensei's writings and sayings without keeping the influence of Omotokyo firmly in mind.

On the philosophical side of Aikido, there appears to be no unified philosophy of Aikido. Instead, there is a partially coherent collection of religious, ethical, and metaphysical beliefs shared by aikidoka, and transmitted by word of mouth or found in scattered writings by Ueshiba. However, at the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of Aikido, we can identify at least two fundamental threads: Acommitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible and a commitment to self-improvement through Aikido training.

Aikido practice has been shaped by its philosophy of harmony. There are no competitions or tournaments in Aikido. Rank is awarded through a testing procedure which emphasizes self-discipline, rather than the mastery of others. Practice focuses on the development of technical skills and awareness through constant repetition of techniques in a controlled environment. The fundamental of moving, timing and breathing can be conquered through repetitious practice. Students train to neutralize the attacker’s energy and to redirect it to a neutralized state. The student can also utilize this philosophy to resolve conflict in his/her daily life and to learn to remain calm in a stressful environment.