What is Aikido?

Aikido is a martial art which is quite unlike the “hard” striking arts such as karate and taekwondo. In Aikido, we work to eliminate conflict and control an attacker without inflicting injury. It is a deep and subtle practice which involves understanding yourself and the attacker’s balance and energy.

Aikido can provide many things for each individual, ranging from physical to mental to spiritual. Often, Aikido training develops a new mental outlook, one that applies well to problem solving in one’s daily life.

Its three syllables translate to harmony (ai 合), energy (ki 気), way (do 道), and is thus known as "Way of Harmonizing Energy".

Aikido does not rely on muscular strength. It is effective by maximizing stability, engaging our hara (core/center), and then rearranging an attack through proper use of timing and angles. Because of this, Aikido can be practiced by everyone, regardless of size, gender, or strength.