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.

Muketsu Invades Cambridge (Late Entry)

Hey. So during the Gasshuku in Boston, there was a party at one of the aikidoka's house. But while everyone else went to the party, I decided to hang out with one of my best friends and roommates from college. He is a graduate student in physics at Harvard University, and he and his wife took me on a tour of the campus, his lab, and the town. Since this has nothing to do with Aikido, I'll keep this pithy and show you only the few photos that I thought was cool to share.



Yeah, so apparently Harvard has its own "Brew House." I'll have to admit, they have a better selection of beers and better food and service than our own Brew House back home.



This is an actual traffic signal in Cambridge. Cool.



This is a statue of John Harvard. It is also called "The Statue of Three Lies." Why? Well, first of all, the inscription reads "John Harvard, Founder, 1638." Well, Harvard was actually founded in 1636. Second, John Harvard was not really the founder of Harvard University. And third, the image of the guy in the statue is not really John Harvard because no authentic pictures of this John Harvard ever existed. So I guess you can say that those who came out of Harvard are just a bunch of liars. Anyhoo, there is a tradition where visitors rub John Harvard's shoe for luck. Since the statue is a total lie, I don't know what kind of luck I'm going to get.



To one-up this tradition, I decided to climb up onto John Harvard's lap and tell him what I wanted for Christmas.

Oh well, till next time, Happy New Year! Gassho.

-Andre ("Muketsu")

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