Origins
Aikido
A Japanese martial art derived from classic samurai weapons work, Aikido emphasizes leverage, timing, and energy to neutralize an opponent's attack. Literally, Aikido is translated as Ai (harmony), Ki (energy), and Do (way or path) or the way of harmonizing energy. Hence, Aikido is a wonderful art for children, women, and men of all ages, teaching its students coordination, stamina, balance, grace, and calm. For the most part, Aikido teaches four things: joint locks, pins, throws, and strikes. In Aikido, we have no trophies, competitions, or contests. We do, however, have promotion tests so students can advance in the art. Ultimately, Aikido is a path for one's self-realization, a way in which we can polish our inner spirit.
Philosophy
At the very heart of Aikido lies the belief of being natural, yet the ability to be natural, direct, and pure is difficult to manifest and express. Those whose Aikido seems most effortless demonstrate clear intention-their Aikido shows a congruence of body, mind, and spirit, a direct connection between thought and action, an elegance in which there is neither excess nor deficiency. Everything is significant and at the same time nothing is over valued. O Sensei called Aikido "the art of peace," but this in no way minimizes the martial or warrior nature of the art. Simply put, Aikido expresses body/mind connection in which the inner and outer self is the same. Aikido is usually seen as a defensive martial art, but in order to do good defense, we also practice good offensive strikes and grabs. Ultimately, offense and defense are the same. Clearly, Aikido is a wonderful and effective martial art, providing many other benefits: stamina, balance, control, breathing, mental and physical acuity, calm, and stress reduction. At its best, Aikido training can help people negotiate conflict on and off the mat. Because we are non-competitive, Aikido is done in a spirit of cooperation and non-judgment.
About O Sensei
Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido, was proficient in many martial arts, but in 1925 had the first of three visions or reality shifts. He came to see that all his training cultivated death but he wanted to use his skill and understanding to enhance life. In his own words, "All at once, I understood the nature of creation: the Way of a Warrior is to manifest Divine Love, a spirit that embraces and nurtures all things."
O Sensei (Venerable Teacher) was a deeply spiritual man whose main desire was to foster peace. Aikido is a gift for all humanity, and thanks to O Sensei, his son Kisshomaru, the second doshu, and his son, Moritu, the current doshu, Aikido is practiced throughout the world. While many different organizations exist, each with its own flavor and emphasis, all Aikido flows from one source, O Sensei's remarkable vision that the way of the warrior is really the way of peace.
About Toyoda Shihan
Shihan Fumio Toyoda was the force of organizational and technical leadership that drives our practice of aikido. The word "shihan" is translated to mean "teacher of teachers". This reflected Shihan Toyoda's responsibility not only to teach Aikido, but to instruct his students to be competent teachers themselves.
Born in Japan on November 8, 1947, Shihan Toyoda began his study of Aikido at the age of I0 at Chushinkan Dojo in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. After earning his shodan at the age of I7, he was accepted as uchideshi (resident apprentice) at the Ichikukai Dojo in Tokyo. During this time he also pursued a law degree at Senshu University. After graduating from Senshu University, Shihan Toyoda lived as uchideshi at Aikido World Headquarters (Aikikai Hombu Dojo), and there began his career as a professional, full-time instructor.
Toyoda Shihan recognized the growing need for more full time, qualified Aikido instruction, and made a personal commitment to spread the art and philosophy of Aikido beyond the shores of his native Japan. Beginning in 1974, Toyoda Shihan began spreading the teachings of Aikido throughout North America. That year, he established the Chicago Ki-Aikido Society and began an intensive schedule of travel and seminar instruction.
In l984 Toyoda Shihan set about the task of organizing and establishing the Aikido Association of America as an independent organization.