Introductory
Special begins 1st Tuesday, every month!
Tues.
6:30 ~ 7:45 pm 1st Tuesday through the end
of month $75, including the uniform
For questions or preregistration for the
Introductory Special, please contact at helena.aikido@gmail.com
Matt Pettit
(315)882-8146
Lisa Ernst
(406) 461-1186
What is Aikido?
Aikido
is a non-competitive, strictly self-defensive, Japanese
martial art. It is considered a modern Japanese “budo” –
a martial way of self-refinement and character
development.“Aikido”
literally means Way (Do) to Harmony (Ai) with the Life
Force or Universal Energy (Ki).It is not
destructive.Characterized
as the martial art of non-resistance and reconciliation,
Aikido employs highly refined flowing physical movements
that mediate physical conflict in non-harmful ways.In Aikido, an
aggressor’s power is accepted and redirected towards a
natural resolution.
How
Does One Train in Aikido?
Aikido is practiced as repetitive
movements of pre-set forms, or “kata”.Kata is done
using various levels of physical movements, breath and
energetic actions. We practice to unify one’s own
body -- learn coordination based on the use of whole
body movements.We
cultivate a connection of oneself to universal energy
around you – perfect your energy and purity of the
mind. Through the natural flow of movements that's
in accordance with physical nature, Aikido reveals its
complexity and our connection with universal principles
of energy and life.
Although
martially oriented, Aikido’s essence is not about
fighting.The
repetitive and meaningful partner practice teaches one
about emptiness and vanity of winning by physical
destruction. The flowing Aiki movements train a
powerful alternate to conflict.After many
years of diligent, mindful practice, one comes to grip
with the underlying principle of Aikido, that is,
“love.”
Aikido
encourages life-long training of “self” for self mastery
that brings total focus on centered mind and body of
oneself and eliminates consciousness of the enemy
presence. The
goal is not to win or overcome your opponent, but to
eliminate the psychological need to fight, on the mat,
and in life.Aikido
is a living martial art, and hundreds of thousands of
active Aikido students train throughout the world.
History
Aikido
in Helena was originally founded by Whitney Hibbard and
Samantha Schroeder in 1988. Over time,
practitioners continued to study aikido as practiced at
its spiritual home in Japan as well as various other
styles and affiliations of dojos in Montana and the
country. Our style of aikido is based on the
Shingu tradition led by the late Hikitsuchi Michio
sensei who had very close relationship with Ueshiba
O-sensei, the founder of Aikido.
Two
decades later, in 2008, the former students who are
high-ranking black belt holders and beginners alike, came
together to establish anew the board member-based
non-profit Helena Aikido to continue the path of Aikido,
that is true to its principles and teachings. Helena
Aikido is affiliated with Kumano Jyuku Aikido (Aikikai) in
Shingu Wakayama prefecture in Japan.
We
welcome everyone!
Mission
Statement
Helena
Aikido cultivates and nurtures the martial art of aikido
for all who seek to study, providing a healthy learning
environment. It advances aikido principles and
values as viable tools to benefit society.
