There are currently openings for Adult and Children students. Interested candidates are invited to observe a class. The dojo is co-located with the Toledo Zen Center at 6537 Angola Road Holland, OH 43558 jayrinsenweik@gmail.com

Aikido is a non-competitive martial art that can be practiced by almost anyone. Aikido techniques do not rely on physical strength but rather develops relaxed power through the focus of intention and Ki. The result is a creative method of non-destructive conflict resolution.

Aikido is practiced on many levels. The first level is includes the development of stamina, flexibility, and learning how to focus one's intention. The second level is built on the first and stresses self-defense techniques that teach the natural order of movement. In this process the students also become adept at ukemi, the art of rolling, falling and protecting oneself. Aikido provides the opportunity for the development of the entire person. It is a workout of the entire body and mind and results in increased strength, overall physically fitness, flexibility and centeredness.

At the third level students are gradually introduced to the secrets of receiving and harnessing the power of ki, they also develop spatial awareness and learn to judge proper timing and distance. During this training the goal is to establish and maintain an energetic connection to your partner and to lead them off balance. This eliminates the need for more destructive means of resolving situations.

The highest level of aikido is mind over matter. This involves the use of visualization techniques, the power of intention and ki, breath control and meditation. Aikido is truly a spiritual martial art that explores themind - body - spirit connection. This advanced level of training at Shobu Aikido reaches a level not easily found elsewhere. The student learns how to manifest power and effectiveness by the focusing of intention alone. This level depends on and can only be reached through the refinement of technique and the students own deepest feeling. For this reason it alternates between the physical and the spiritual.

In the process of practicing aikido, students inevitably find themselves less stressed and more energetic, better equipped to manage life's many conflicts with calm control. Aikido is great for adults and kids alike because practice encourages respect for self and others, self control, cooperation and responsibility.

Gasshuku or weekend long intensive seminars with William Gleason Sensei are available seasonally.

Children's aikido classes provide a friendly, non-competitive environment for students to become more physically fit, agile, flexible, aware, focused, and relaxed. They learn how to safely fall, roll and perform a variety of self-defense techniques in a supportive, comfortable setting, and parents like Aikido because kids learn how to be powerful without becoming destructive.

An interesting book

As a beginner in aikido, I am always looking for books to supplement my first steps in this martial art. "The Aikido Student Handbook" by Greg O'Connor (purchase it through the Toledo dojo's home page) has been a great first resource for me. It's one of those books I'll be reading and referring to on a regular basis. While I was out of town for the holidays this past week, I bought "Aikido Basics" by Phong Thong Dang and Lynn Seiser. It's very good too. Sometimes the descriptions of techniques are difficult for a novice to understand just by reading them, but I particularly appreciate reading sections about proper aikido etiquette, mental approach, and ki development. If anyone has particular books they would recommend -- especially for someone new like me -- I would appreciate hearing about these books. Thanks. ---Tom

2 comments:

toledoaikido said...

I would also recommend William Gleason Sensei's book "The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido".
Gleason Sensei is Jay Sensei's teacher, and together they are the instructors for the Okugyo retreats some at the dojo have done. I don't think this is a book you read once and, bang, you "have it". It is rather one that you will refer to again and again.
-Chuck

toledoaikido said...

"The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido" is an excellent book, but it would be too confusing for the beginner. Gleason Sensei even warns the reader in his book that one would get lost by the fourth chapter. (How right he was!) I would recommend attending one of the Okugyo retreats before reading this book. "The Principles of Aikido" by Saotome Sensei (available in the Dojo Store) is a good book. It shows picture by picture the techniques that we do. To satisfy your intellectual curiousity, I highly recommend "The Zen Way to the Martial Arts" by Taisen Deshimaru Roshi (also in the Dojo Store), who delves into the philosophies of Zen and Budo and offers a practical application to Aikido training. I hope this helps.

-Andre ("Muketsu")

Saotome

Blog Archive