North Country AikidoMore Information
The word Aikido means the way for the coordination of spirit and energy. It was developed in the twentieth century by O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba from sword and spear fighting, jujutsu, aikijutsu, and other more obscure martial arts. In Aikido, you will study hand-to-hand, boken (sword), jo (staff), and tanto (knife) techniques.
There are no attacks in Aikido, instead it provides us with a means to defend ourselves without inflicting unnecessary damage on our attacker. The techniques studied in Aikido, while practical methods of self-defense, are also metaphors for the conflicts (both physical and otherwise) that we face in daily life and regular Aikido practice strengthens both body and mind, as well better preparing us to face hardship in life outside the dojo.
In the words of O-Sensei,
The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter.