Yoshinkan Aikido

Aikido is a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba in Japan around 1920, and led by his descendants today from Hombu dojo in Japan. Also known as the "Art of Peace", aikido seeks to blend with the opponent's movement, adding only enough energy to redirect the attacker to a peaceful resolution. O'Sensei Ueshiba wrote "When an opponent comes forward, move in, greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way." (Training With the Master by J. Stevens and W. V. Krenner; Shambhala press, 1999.) Since true aikido is a redirection of the attacker's energy, students of any age benefit from training in aikido.

My aikido journey began with six years of training in Sei Shin Kai aikido, considered a "soft" style emphasizing Ki development in technique and life. I enrolled at the University of Alaska in 1990 under Sensei Mike Abels, mostly for the physical exercise. I stayed because I found aikido to be practical in everyday life, and a lot of fun!

As a novice practitioner of aikido I focused on memorizing a catalog of "moves." I was so concerned with advancing my rank that I missed a valuable lesson--the first and most important redirection is of myself toward a well-rooted, calm center. With these characteristics in place, it is possible to "tune in" to the attacker/partner and blend with their movement, responding without thought. The calmer, more rooted, and centered I am when my partner attacks--the smoother, more subtle my response, and the more my technique improves.

I read an article several years ago which referred to aikido as "the Japanese art of people folding." I enjoyed this thought for its martial sense as aikido does redirect people into postures they hadn't intended to achieve when attacking. However, aikido is also effective in redirecting minds and lives--as well as bodies--with measurable positive results. I use verbal aikido in the classroom to redirect oppositional behavior toward a positive result, one that is acceptable and productive.

After graduating from college, I enrolled in Yoshinkan aikido with Sensei Charles Scott's IKA-Alaska dojo in fall of 1997. Although Yoshinkan aikido, as developed by Soke Gozo Shioda, applies the same concepts of "rootedness", extension, and calm, energized presence as Sei Shin Kai, it does so with more visible intensity, utilizing a more aggressive approach to training and conflict resolution. It is important to note that this "hard" style can be hard in attitude but soft in contact with the opponent or throwing partner (uke.) The reverse is also true of Sei Shin Kai but I am beginning to understand this now only after some years of training, in the two styles.

The bulk of our aikido training is empty handed, but both styles offer extension of training through a variety of weapons. Abels Sensei incorporates jo (short staff) and bokken (wooden sword) into Sei Shin Kai. Scott Sensei conducts an extensive weapons class for advanced students in aikido or karate. I have studied jo, bokken and katana (sword) with an introduction to the bo (long staff). Awareness of stick and sword movements has been particularly beneficial in refining and improving my empty-hand techniques. I look forward to picking up more weapon training in the future.

I had the delight of training with Calvin Koshiyama Sensei and his students at the Aikido North dojo in Anchorage on several occaisions. They train in Aikikai style but welcomed our Yoshinkan and Sei Shin Kai students warmly. We were also fortunate to be invited to join them for training with Frank Doran Sensei.

For more in-depth information on aikido I recommend visiting an aikido class near you. Visitors are welcome at the IKA-Alaska dojo in Fairbanks--stop by some time! Make arrangements to train with us, or enjoy watching from the viewing lounge. You can always check out books from your local library, or try the aikido web links but, the best way to learn aikido is to train under a qualified instructor.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you found something useful, or at least interesting. JG

Aikido weblinks
International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation

International Aikikai headquarters
Hombu Dojo, Japan

Miranda Sensei has a great information site for Yoshinkan Aikido

AikiWeb

AikidoFAQ

Aikido World: Web Journal
Aikido dojos in Fairbanks
Yoshinkan under Dr. Charles L. Scott, Sensei.
Sei Shin Kai at the University of Alaska--Fairbanks under Michael A. Abels, Sensei.

University of Alaska--Aikido Club
Student led club, includes gallery of practice and seminars attended by club members.

Aikido North
Aikikai dojo in Anchorage, Alaska under
Calvin Koshiyama Sensei.

Aikido related poems
written as part of my shodan paper.

Jo kata: refresher sheet

Recommended texts for training and inspiration:

Total Aikido: The Master Course
by Gozo Shioda with Yasuhisa Shioda

Dynamic Aikido
by Gozo Shioda

Also consider:
Aikido and The Dynamic Sphere
by A. Westbrook & O. Ratti

Dave Lowry has written many excellent reflective articles and reference books related to the martial mind, the warrior spirit, training and weapons.

Moving Toward Stillness
Persimmon Wind

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My aikido journey began with six years of training in Sei Shin Kai aikido, considered a "soft" style emphasizing Ki development in technique and life. I enrolled at the University of Alaska in 1990 under Sensei Mike Abels, mostly for the physical exercise. I stayed because I found aikido to be practical in everyday life, and a lot of fun! As a novice practitioner of aikido I focused on memorizing a catalog of "moves." I was so concerned with advancing my rank that I missed a valuable lesson--the first and most important redirection is of myself toward a well-rooted, calm center. With these characteristics in place, it is possible to "tune in" to the attacker/partner and blend with their movement, responding without thought. The calmer, more rooted, and centered I am when my partner attacks--the smoother, more subtle my response, and the more my technique improves.
	I read an article several years ago which referred to aikido as "the Japanese art of people folding." I enjoyed this thought for its martial sense as aikido does redirect people into postures they hadn't intended to achieve when attacking. However, aikido is also effective in redirecting minds and lives--as well as bodies--with measurable positive results. I use verbal aikido in the classroom to redirect oppositional behavior toward a positive result, one that is acceptable and productive. After graduating from college, I enrolled in Yoshinkan aikido with Sensei Charles Scott's IKA-Alaska dojo in fall of 1997. Although Yoshinkan aikido, as developed by Soke Gozo Shioda, applies the same concepts of "rootedness", extension, and calm, energized presence as Sei Shin Kai, it does so with more visible intensity, utilizing a more aggressive approach to training and conflict resolution. It is important to note that this "hard" style can be hard in attitude but soft in contact with the opponent or throwing partner (uke.) The reverse is also true of Sei Shin Kai but I am beginning to understand this now only after some years of training, in the two styles.
The bulk of our aikido training is empty handed, but both styles offer extension of training through a variety of weapons. Abels Sensei incorporates jo (short staff) and bokken (wooden sword) into Sei Shin Kai. Scott Sensei conducts an extensive weapons class for advanced students in aikido or karate. I have studied jo, bokken and katana (sword) with an introduction to the bo (long staff). Awareness of stick and sword movements has been particularly beneficial in refining and improving my empty-hand techniques. I look forward to picking up more weapon training in the future. I had the delight of training with Calvin Koshiyama Sensei and his students at the Aikido North dojo in Anchorage on several occaisions. They train in Aikikai style but welcomed our Yoshinkan and Sei Shin Kai students warmly. We were also fortunate to be invited to join them for training with Frank Doran Sensei.
For more in-depth information on aikido I recommend visiting an aikido class near you. Visitors are welcome at the IKA-Alaska dojo in Fairbanks--stop by some time! Make arrangements to train with us, or enjoy watching from the viewing lounge. You can always check out books from your local library, or try the aikido web links but, the best way to learn aikido is to train under a qualified instructor. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you found something useful, or at least interesting. JG