"The Art of Peace." "The Way of Harmony." Aikido has been called all of these things and more.
Aikido is a non-violent, defensive martial art. We do not practice fighting for the purpose of injuring others. Instead, we learn to redirect our opponent's energy through circular movements, and use their strength to control them. In this way, we do not defeat our opponent—our opponent defeats themselves.
There is no competition in Aikido. We do not hold tournaments or matches because we do not seek to dominate others through our physical strength. Through training and testing, Aikido teaches that our true opponent is ourselves, and that real power comes from softness, flexibility, and awareness of our surroundings. We learn to remain calm, centered, and in control when we encounter conflict in class and in our daily lives. This way, we can practice Aikido both on and off the mat.
Through Aikido practice, we learn the value of honesty, integrity, courage, and tenacity. Most important, we learn respect for others and ourselves. Ultimately, Aikido helps us become better individuals ready to make a positive contribution to our communities.
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