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.

Aiki Shrine Trip



After Thursday morning keiko, Taisho and I began our 20 hour trip to the Aiki Shrine.
When we finally arrived at the "Aiki Corral" we were happy to see the training area had removable walls allowing the sounds of the surrounding bamboo to fill the dojo as the cool breezes came through. There were about 30 of us in attendance and we were treated to an excellent training session focusing on the ki extension and precise irimi. Sensei gave us some nice gems to enrich our study and Taisho and I were fortunate to be used for ukemi several times. When we took lunch break on saturday, Taisho was recruited to cut some wood for the evening's fire. He was the only person to not change out of his dogi and when he finished with the work, was covered in a nice layer of sawdust from his face to his knees. After the days keiko, we celebrated Saotome Sensei's birthday and were treated to some excellent food, beer and the best birthday cake I've ever tasted. There was a very friendly, easy energy throughout the entire experience and we got to talk story with some of Saotome Sensei's original students, some serious characters and great story tellers. Sensei came out sunday morning in all white with a black haori and laughed as he told us he nearly forgot about the hour we lost to daylight savings time. We had a very rich keiko after which we were able to take a photo with Sensei and hang out before the long trip home. If you ever get the chance to train at the Aiki Shrine, 1) do not miss it & 2) for god's sakes do not drive.
click on the title for more photos.

1 comment:

Chuck Greer said...

Very cool! Looks like an awesome trip! I'm not sure if Taisho is doing ki extension or re-living his "Saturday Night Fever" days, but good stuff either way!!

March 12, 2008 at 9:13 AM

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