The Pandemic has been hard on everyone, but mind-body practices like Aikido can help us center ourselves.
Aikido Institute is currently holding a hybrid mix of online Zoom classes and outdoor Iwama Aikido weapons classes (with abundant caution and strict observance of social distancing guidelines) in Emeryville and Oakland. We also offer a once-a-week Yoga class on Zoom on Sunday Mornings. Note that our outdoor class schedule is announced to our students via email and not posted online. |
New to Aikido?
Schedule a free introductory class, whether online or outside somewhere.
Schedule a free introductory class, whether online or outside somewhere.
Wooden sword and staff practices for Aikido.
Open to students of all ranks and levels of experience.
Open to students of all ranks and levels of experience.
The Founder taught wooden sword (bokken) and wooden staff (jo) practices at his dojo in Iwama, Japan.
Morihiro Saito Sensei augmented these practices with suburi and kata and taught these practices to his students in Iwama and in his many teaching tours overseas. Through this, these Aiki-ken and Aiki-jo practices became an important part of our Iwama Aikido curriculum --something that distinguishes our style of Aikido from other styles. Weapon techniques are included in our tests from the very beginning of a student's progression through the ranks.
During these times of social distancing, we feel fortunate to have this collection of Iwama Aikido weapon practices to work on while person-to-person contact is not possible.
Morihiro Saito Sensei augmented these practices with suburi and kata and taught these practices to his students in Iwama and in his many teaching tours overseas. Through this, these Aiki-ken and Aiki-jo practices became an important part of our Iwama Aikido curriculum --something that distinguishes our style of Aikido from other styles. Weapon techniques are included in our tests from the very beginning of a student's progression through the ranks.
During these times of social distancing, we feel fortunate to have this collection of Iwama Aikido weapon practices to work on while person-to-person contact is not possible.
“When O-Sensei explained Aikido he always said that taijutsu (body techniques) and ken and jo techniques were all the same. He always started out his explanation of Aikido using the ken. Although he didn’t use a one-two-three method, he always taught us patiently and explained in detail what we should do.”
...
“When I starting teaching myself ... I classified and arranged his jo techniques. I rearranged everything into 20 basic movements I called “suburi” which included tsuki (thrusting), uchikomi (striking), hassogaeshi (figure-eight movements), and so on so it would be easier for students to practice them. I was taught first how to swing a sword. I organized what I learned and devised these kumijo and suburi for the sword. O-Sensei’s method may have been good for private lessons, but not for teaching groups. In his method, there were no names for techniques, no words. This was why I organized the movements into tsuki (thrusts), uchikomi (strikes) and kaeshi (turning movements) and gave them names.”
- Morihiro Saito Shihan
...
“When I starting teaching myself ... I classified and arranged his jo techniques. I rearranged everything into 20 basic movements I called “suburi” which included tsuki (thrusting), uchikomi (striking), hassogaeshi (figure-eight movements), and so on so it would be easier for students to practice them. I was taught first how to swing a sword. I organized what I learned and devised these kumijo and suburi for the sword. O-Sensei’s method may have been good for private lessons, but not for teaching groups. In his method, there were no names for techniques, no words. This was why I organized the movements into tsuki (thrusts), uchikomi (strikes) and kaeshi (turning movements) and gave them names.”
- Morihiro Saito Shihan
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We may be doing this for a while..
Might as well have a mask that's you - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cotton. Adjustable. Machine Washable.
Made with 100% Cotton, this mask is designed to protect from dust, germs and infectious disease. The materials of this mask are biodegradable and recyclable. Has 4 layers of material and an Adjustable Ear Loop. *Note: not considered a medical grade / surgical mask. 
Aikido Institute Face Masks
$15 You can purchase more than one mask if you wish.
Due to the time/resources complication of shipping, you'll need to be able to pick them up during our outdoor classes, or otherwise arrange a time and place to pick them up. Please email the dojo if you have questions. |
