TRADITIONAL AIKIDO OF SARASOTA

What is Aikido?
The Japanese word, "Aikido," is composed of three characters. "Ai" means 'to unite, to come together, or harmonize.' The second character is "Ki" which means energy, mind, or spirit. "Ki" can also mean "Spirit of the Universe" or "Universal Energy." The last character "Do"means "a Way" or a "Path." Do implies that Aikido is not just self defense techniques, but a system that includes self development as well as spiritual development. Altogether these characters mean "the Way to Harmonize with the Spirit of the Universe"....in short, "The Way of Harmony."

The Philosophy of Aikido
Although Aikido is primarily a self defense art, it has as one of its philosophical pillars the notion of being in Harmony with your attackers rather than being in conflict with them. The ultimate goal of Aikido training is to master a calm, alert, and confident approach to conflict - a courageous and compassionate spirit that whole heartedly confronts the challenges and difficulties of life.

The ideal of Aikido is not to think of overpowering and defeating an opponent, but to harmonize with them both spiritually & physically. This is why Aikido is sometimes called "The Art of Nonresistance", "The Non-Fighting Martial Art."

During an Aikido class, students practice techniques for merging with and neutralizing punches, grabs, and other assaults. This training developes balance, flexibility, and coordination, as well as concentration and self confidence in the face of an attack.

Aikido techniques express elements of philosophy, psychology, and physics. As we learn the movements, we will, at the same time, train our minds, improve our health and develop self-confidence. During practice sessions, partners work in harmony with each other, learning when and how to yield, how to lead and guide another person's movements and how to control an opponent through non-resistive techniques.

Aikido Movements and Techniques
The aim of the Aikidoist is to have their mind and body unified and to maintain a calm, alert posture and spirit. Aikido movement originates at the hips and expresses itself through the arms and hands as a dance-like graceful, spherical flowing motion. The beauty of Aikido movements comes from the coordinated motion of the entire body--each part contributing to the integrated sequence of movement.

The joint locking techniques, such as those applied to the wrist or elbow, flex the joints in the direction of natural bending. They result in no permanent damage to the joint or tissues even though the techniques are effective and can be painful.

In addition to "open-handed" techniques we use wooden weapons, the bokun and jo, to help develop balance, timing, and an ability to control the space in relation to others. The bokun is a wooden sword, the jo a wooden staff. We do not train to fight with these, but use them as teachers .......actually physical extensions of our body and spirit.