Aikido is a Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), who became known as O'Sensei, or Great Teacher. A philosopher, poet and deeply spiritual man, O'Sensei combined his personal philosophies, with sword, spear and grappling arts to create Aikido. Aikido is a modern art created to utilize strategy, as well as technique to resolve conflict. This is a unique art that does not rely on strength, size or speed, but seeks to achieve harmony as well as provide a powerful system of self defense. Aikido is characterized by very smooth techniques that utilize off-balancing, throws, grappling-type locks, and various escape methods and take-downs. Aikido does use kicks and punches, but it is not the main focus of the art. Aikido is especially known as having effective self defense techniques that are designed first and foremost to control a situation, allowing a defender to choose whether to injure an attacker. This makes Aikido very useful in less than life threatening situations.

Aikido is a challenging aerobic and mental exercise. Many aikido students have found that the training has changed their lives in very positive ways. It is a very practical form of self defense. Aikido classes include training in meditation and breathing, strategy, balance, and how to fall safely. It is also a lot of fun!!!!