Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (a.k.a. O’sensei) through his religious philosophy and martial arts experience. With a strong commitment to peace, he founded Aikido which is translated as “the Way of harmony with the Universe” and known as the Art of Peace.

Since 2001, we have been practicing Aikido as a means for understanding ourselves. Through our own self-development we are better equipped to manage the forces around us. Terry Dobson, who spent 10 years with O’sensei, wrote, “Aikido makes you look at your impatience, your arrogance, your meanness, cruelty, clumsiness, cowardice - all those qualities in yourself that you may need to look at.”

Aikido lessons manifest from the inside out. The work that is done internally allows you to act from intuition rather than from fear. If you’re like most people, when your personal space is invaded (either physically or mentally) you react in a way to get it back (usually fight or flight). The problem occurs when we focus on the “threat”. Since you can’t focus on two things at once, you end up reacting from a conditioned response (habit) rather than intuition. Aikido teaches you how to manage yourself so that you can act from intuition rather than from fear. In fact, from this knowledge, you come to realize that “threats” no longer exist.

O’sensei discovered that it is possible to move together as one with another person. We all know this is possible when two people dance together, but O’sensei found that this is possible with anyone who enters your personal space. Conflict occurs because we automatically react to an attacker’s energy. This means we have to figure out what to do with them. If you can move in the exact opposite way of an attack (similar to a follower in dance), you realize there is nothing that they can do to you.

Aikido is practiced in many different ways. The training at Balancing Center Aikido is based on the teachings of Henry Kono, who spent four years training with O’sensei. With the help of a partner, practice starts with slow movements to introduce the concept of moving together. Many students are surprised at how easily their body repeats old patterns of behavior. Freeing the mind from these patterns is the first step to creating a space where different energies can mix and flow together.

The heart of this practice involves a commitment to breathe, stand, and move forward in balance with yourself. Though this sounds simple, we learn how easily we are distracted by other people in our space. Then, when we react to fear we cannot move properly or make effective decisions. Here, with a partner, students are able to practice at their own pace and discover the impact balanced movements have on themselves and in the world.

New students are welcome anytime!