On this page, you will find a collection of articles from our member dojos that offer additional insights into the world of Aikido. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or someone curious about starting your journey, the articles below aims to provide a deeper understanding to the philosophy, techniques and community that make aikido a transformative martial art. Feel free to  contact us or any of our member dojos to sign up for a trial class.

Each person comes to the dojo for a different reason. Some come because they want to improve their physical condition, or as stress relief, or perhaps because they are interested in self-defence.

How does practicing aikido have anything to do with peace or becoming “one with the universe”? This is the very same issue as taking one’s practice, or at least the benefits of practice, “off the mat”.

About Non-competitive Matches – Always Being on the Battlefield

Aikido doesn’t have competitive matches, so what is the objective of training? How can we decide the goal of training?

Most people come to aikido seeking some kind of personal development as a priority. Some criteria are easy to imagine ahead of time, however vague, like patience, perseverance, and physical fitness. Other benefits may be difficult to imagine.

Aikido is a riddle. It is also a paradox. Is Aikido a martial art? If so, then is it a practice in the art of war? If so, then who is at war? Is it the war within ourselves, our internal war, or is it a war against others?

This is our basic learning method for aikido’s first principle and one of the first techniques required for grading: shomen-uchi ikkyo.