Aikido is a Japanese Martial Art created and developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969) which emphasises harmonisation over contention when dealing with aggression and conflict. What does this mean in practice? That our intent, and consequently our actions, in dealing with aggression (whether physical, verbal or otherwise) is not to take a position of resistance or struggle but rather join with the force of the opposing party, making it our own before leading it into a resolution where it’s energy and ideally, it’s own aggressive intent, has been neutralised.

This ideal of moving from a situation of conflict to its harmonious resolution must be realised through our whole being and reflected in our actions and particularly our actions when under pressure which is when they are most critical. Through confrontational and physical training we learn gradually to let go of our reactive tendency to defend, block and struggle and instead open up to the power of being open and undefended.

The style or line of Aikido that is taught in this Dojo is known as Takemusu Aikido and is a traditional form of Aikido that was passed on from Morihei Ueshiba to the late Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928 – 2002). He was a personal disciple of Ueshiba for over 23 years and took over his Dojo in Iwama Japan after his death, considering it his duty to preserve and pass on the Founder’s original source techniques in as pure a form as possible.

Takemusu Aikido can be characterised and differentiated from other schools and styles of Aikido by its emphasis on the following three areas:

1. RIAI: The integration of empty handed practice (Taijutsu) and practice with weapon (Bukiwaza) whereby both practices are understood as one integrated and mutually reinforcing whole.
2. KIHON: Strong emphasis on basic training (Kihon) with a clear distinction between basic and more advanced levels of practice and technique. It is understood that the all the fundamental elements of the art are ‘encoded’ in the most basic techniques and that ability in advanced technique depends on the depth of one’s grasp of the basics.
3. BUDO: Aikido understood and practiced as a modern yet traditionally rooted martial art with relevance to daily life in all it’s aspects beyond the regular training in the Dojo.