Motor City Aikido

Aikido is the newest of the Japanese Martial Arts.  It is a form of self-defense that was founded by Morehei Ueshiba, O'Sensei (12/14/1883-4/26/1969), in the 1920's and was introduced to the USA in the 1960's by Yoshimitsu Yamada.  

The name "Aikido" can be broken down into 3 words: "Ai" meaning harmony, "ki" spirit or energy, and "do" the path or the way.  What makes Aikido different than other Martial Arts and self-defense arts it that, as O'Sensei has been quoted to say "Aikido has no end...there is just the beginning and further growth."

HOW DOES IT STAND OUT FROM OTHER MARTIAL ARTS?

Aikido is a non-competitive art that is learned through respectful practice with partners, helping each other learn as well as through individual practice.  It's techniques are powerful and have the capacity to cause pain and injury if used at full capacity.  The techniques neutralize an attack by taking the attacker off balance and redirecting his momentum and combining that with the use of various locks, throw and pins.

Anyone is capable of learning and practicing Aikido.  Perfecting the art is a lifetime endeavor.  However, learning to defend yourself with Aikido techniques takes only a short amount of time.