Introductory Special begins 1st Tuesday, every month!
Tues. 6:15 ~ 7:45 pm 1st Tuesday through the end of month $75, including the uniform
You can start any day of a month with a separate fee from Introductory Course. Please inquire.
For questions or preregistration for the Introductory Special, please contact at helena.aikido@gmail.com
Lisa Ernst
(406) 461-1186
Miho Lloyd
(406) 431-0884
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 active 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. First step in practice is to unify
one’s own body -- learn coordination.The next step
is to cultivate a connection of oneself to one’s partner
– learn harmony. Through the natural flow of physical
movements, 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, to
“stop fighting.”
Aikido
encourages life-long training of “self” for self
mastery.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 Helena
Aikido to continue the path of aikido, that is true to its
principles and teachings.
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.
