Aikido

• Non-violent self-defense
• Powerful flowing movement
• Relaxation and exercise
• Physical coordination
• Mental focus and concentration
• Mind/body awareness and integration
• Compassionate conflict resolution
• Supportive community
• Fun

 Aikido (Watch Video) (pronounced eye-key-doe, with equal emphasis on all the syllables) is a Japanese martial art. In addition to being a practical and effective form of non-violent self-defense, Aikido is a discipline of mind/body awareness and a means of compassionate conflict prevention and resolution. Aikido is also a way to relax and get physical exercise. It is beautiful flowing movement, and it is a lot of fun to practice. Aikido practice creates a community of friends and practice partners. On its deepest level, Aikido is a path of mind/body/spirit awareness and integration.

Aikido defense techniques consist primarily of joint locks and throws and are based on going along with the power of the attack to control aggression. Aikido offers an effective form of self-defense that aims at protecting yourself without necessarily hurting another human being. Aikido includes defenses against grabs, punches, and kicks, as well as defenses against attacks with a knife, sword, staff or gun. Aikido techniques include strikes as a means of controllingthe opponent's movement and setting him or her up for the throws. The practice deals with attacks by single or multiple assailants.

There are no competitions in Aikido, and the art can be practiced and enjoyed by anyone regardless of age, size or strength. Aikido is an enjoyable learning adventure carried out in a mutually supportive atmosphere. Because students move and learn at their own pace, Aikido is an effective form of exercise and relaxation that people can continue for their whole lives. The goal of Aikido is to learn to move and live in a state of power, gentleness, freedom, and harmony.

At Aikido of Columbus, we focus on Aikido as both a self-defense method and a pathway to inner learning. When we feel threatened, our natural response is to tighten up and resist. In order to go along with the attack, we need to be deeply aware of the attacker, and to do that we need to be anchored in a mindbody state of power and love. This is where the practices of self-defense and self-awareness converge. At Aikido of Columbus, we teach how to use body awareness, openness of breath, proper body alignment, and flowing energy to achieve smooth, powerful, effective Aikido techniques and an attitude of respect and (Watch Video) kindness.

AN AIKI MOMENT
Tom Simpson, who earned his black belt at Aikido of Columbus, sent in this description of an aiki moment:

Had an “aiki moment” this morning at home. I’m barefooted, carrying a heavy piece of luggage down the stairs. Luggage in one hand, handful of misc in the other. I go down 3 steps and lean back to also pick up an object from the step to take with us. My feet slipped out from under me. I surfed the stairs, all the way to the bottom! I never let go of the luggage or the other stuff, but I rode my elbow down the banister and got a little stability from the sliding luggage. Time slowed way down. The cool thing was I got low and my feet surfed the edges of each of nine steps, while I gradually shifted center forward to get more weight on the foot strikes and decelerate. I stopped with full balance at the bottom. Thank you, Paul.

BEGINNERS are welcome to practice right along with everyone else, but at a slower pace. It is helpful for beginners to practice with the advanced students since the advanced students can guide the beginners in their practice. Though it may seem intimidating, beginners learn quickly when they jump right in with everyone else. In addition, it is safer for beginners to practice with more advanced students, who have some knowledge of the techniques and how to do them safely.

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CLASSES FOR CHILDREN

Children's Aikido (Watch Video) classes are for ages 7 - 14. The classes use Aikido games as well as formal defense techniques to create a fun-filled learning situation. Basic self-defense is covered, though it is strongly emphasized that fighting is not a game and should be avoided if at all possible. Through cooperative, non-competitive, non-violent martial art training, children gain an understanding of how to get along with others and how to resolve conflicts in a humane way. The training in body awareness, coordination, relaxation and concentration helps children improve their performance in everything from sports or music to homework or paying attention in school.

Parents are encouraged to practice for free with their children in the children's classes.

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NO FALLING AIKIDO -- Monday 7 PM - 8:30 PM
This class focuses on the movement and self-awareness aspects of Aikido. It does not include any of the throwing, falling or self-defense involved in regular Aikido practice. Though regular Aikido classes do include the meditative aspect, many people find that with the necessity of executing effective self-defense techniques, it is difficult to remember to focus on self-awareness as well.

This class makes use of simple, easy Aikido movement patterns as vehicles for the development of self-awareness, awareness of other people, and connection to the world around you. You will have the opportunity to practice body awareness, openness of breath, proper body alignment, relaxed movement, and expansive energy. The flowing, spiralic movements are relaxing and invigorating and will improve your balance and coordination.

The class is perfect for people who wish to focus on the philosophical practice implicit within Aikido. It is also perfect for people who cannot take regular Aikido classes due to physical limitations.

CLASS SCHEDULE

• ADULTS

  No falling class -- Monday 7 PM - 8:30 PM

Tuesday 9:00 AM - 10:30:30 AM
Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

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Chief Instructors at Aikido of Columbus:
Paul Linden, sixth degree black belt in Aikido, first degree black belt in Karate.
Peggy Berger, fifth degree black belt in Aikido.

For our biographies, click here.

Belorussian translation of the Aikido page from this site

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