Aikido has the power to change your life. It will start you on the path to unite your mind and your body. While learning a practical method of self-defense, you will develop your innate power and begin to achieve harmony and peace.
Philadelphia Aikido is a dojo - essentially a place where this Japanese art of self-defense is taught, practiced and learned. It is a beautiful practice space with comfortable mats, lots of sunlight and a serene atmosphere. We practice ki development: the ability to use our complete power by coordinating our minds and bodies to work as one; to develop calmness in the face of stress; to defend ourselves from attack by use of aikido techniques, ki, and absence of panic; defense against weapons; breathing exercises; meditation and much more.
We learn confidence, self control, discipline as well as how to take care of one another. Aikido, above all, is a martial art that believes in doing no harm. It was developed specifically to help us protect ourselves without having to injure or kill anyone. And it enables us use the energy of the attacker against him/her rather than our own strength which might be limited due to size or gender.
With aikido as our practice, most people come away with so much more - positive outlook, improved physical condition, sense of community and sense of personal power.
