About Aikido and Links

An Introduction to the Martial Art for Peace

Aikido, often described as "moving Zen", is a martial art that focuses, not only on effectiveness against aggression, but also on harmony of spirit. Aikido is known for its graceful techniques and swift, seemingly effortless movements that fling an attacker through the air or immobilize and control him by means of subtle pressure applied to joints. The aim of Aikido is not to injure an attacker, but to blend with or capture an opponent's aggressive actions in order to neutralize them. Aikido is a challenge for both the body and the mind. It is difficult to control our inclinations to hurt someone who is trying to hurt us. Aikido practice teaches us how to control our own emotions along with our heartrate and breathing in order to stay calm in extreme situations. Properly executed, Aikido techniques convince an attacker that violence will not work.

What are the origins of Aikido?

Aikido is a true budo or martial way, evolved in the historic tradition of Japanese warrior arts. Studied in earnest, budo is more than a science of tactics and self-defence; it is a discipline for perfecting the spirit. Practicing Aikido can help you cultivate your non-violent self. Aikido was developed by Morehei Ueshiba, whom we call O Sensei, (Great Teacher). O Sensei wrote that budo is a work of love, a path to overcome discord in ourselves and bring peace to the world. Thus the essence of all Aikido is spherical in motion, and ultimately, it is the energy of the attack itself which brings down the attacker.

Aikido Training:

The final aim of budo is personal transformation and the creation of harmony with all living things. Kanai Sensei wrote, "While sports do not deal directly with life-or-death situations, they nevertheless advocate certain values necessary for the building of character: for example, the observance of rules, respect for others, sportsmanship, proper dress and manners. This should be even more true and essential in the art of Aikido because as a martial art Aikido deals with the question of life or death and insists on the preservation of life. In such an art is it not unquestionably appropriate to emphasize the need of dignified Rei in human interactions? Therefore it can be said that Rei is the origin and final goal of budo." Click here to view Kanai Sensei's "Thoughts on Reigisaho" published in the fall 1978 edition of the USAF Newsletter. Philosophical discussion is rare in the dojo, or training hall, but the etiquette (rei) we practice in the dojo helps us understand Aikido from within ourselves. Most training is done with a partner. Each person works as uke, the aggressor, and as nage, the receiver. Both roles are stressed and neither is objectified. Constant repetition develops timing, proper breathing, stamina, flexibility and muscle tone, but the techniques do not depend on physical strength for effectiveness. Results are achieved through precise and unified use of physical forces such as leverage, inertia and gravity. Because of this, Aikido can be practiced by men, women and children of all ages.

Aikido and Iaido Links

Resources for information on Aikido:

• Aikido World Headquarters at Hombu Dojo
  - - http://www.aikikai.or.jp/eng/index.htm
• United States Aikido Federation -- Dojo listing and Seminar Calendar
  - - http://www.usaikifed.com
• Kaze No Kai Iaido Association -- Dojo listing and Seminar Calendar
  - - http://www.kazenokaiiaido.com
• USAF Aikido News.com -- the quarterly online newsletter of the USAF
  --http://www.usafaikidonews.com
• Aikido Online -- Source of information, supplies and videos
  - - http://www.aikidoonline.com
• Aikiweb -- Dojo search, Aikido forums, information
  - - http://www.aikiweb.com
• Tanto Beak -- a humorous look at Aikido practice
  - - http://www.tantobeak.com/
• Portland Aikido Seminar Calendar -- Calendar of local Aikido seminars
  - - http://www.portlandaikido.com
• Movement Arts Northwest -- resources for the Movement Arts Community
  - - http://movementarts.wordpress.com/
• Holding up Half the Sky -- video portrait of 10 women instructors in the USAF & Birankai
  - - http://www.womeninaikido.com
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  Dojos that host major USAF Seminars

• Aikido de la Montagne -- Claude Berthiaume Shihan
  - - http://www.aikidodelamont.com
• New York Aikikai -- Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan
  - - http://www.nyaikikai.com
• New England Aikikai -- Mitsunari Kanai Shihan
  - - http://www.neaikikai.org
• Florida Aikikai -- Peter Bernath Shihan
  - - http://www.floridaaikikai.com
• Midwest Aikido Center -- Art Wise and Walter Van Enck
  -- http://www.aikidomac.org
• Toronto Aikikai -- Robert Zimmermann Shihan
  - - http://www.torontoaikikai.com
• San Francisco Aikikai -- Joe Verville
  - - http://www.sfaikikai.net/
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  USAF and Birankai Dojos in Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.

  please note: Birankai North America under the direction of Kazuo Chiba Shihan
  was formerly the USAF Western Region.
  
• Portland Aikikai -- Ty Barker Shidoin (USAF)
  - - http://www.portlandaikikai.com
• Multnomah Aikikai -- Aki Fleshler Shidoin (Birankai NA)
  - - http://www.multnomahaikikai.com
• North Vancouver Aikikai -- Joel Posluns Shidoin (USAF)
  - - http://www.nsaikido.org
• Puget Sound Aikikai -- Malory Graham (USAF)
  - - http://www.pugetsoundaikikai.org
• Kitsap Aikido -- Dan Delaney (USAF)
  - - http://www.kitsapaikido.org/
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  Other Dojos in Portland:

• Aikido Northwest -- Craig Fife (AANC)
  - - http://www.aikidonw.com/
• Budo Dojo -- Dan Penrod (ASU)
  - - http://www.budodojo.com/
• Ecole de Budo Raji/USA -- Michael Selin
  - - http://www.ecoledebudo.com
• Jinshinkan Dojo -- formerly OGI Aikido Club (AAA)
  - - http://www.jinshinkan.searaven.org/
• Oregon Ki Society --(Ki Society)
  - - http://www.oregonki.org/
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