Here are some descriptions to give you a idea of what we teach.

AIKI BASICS:
Designed for the beginning student and suitable for all practitioners, the training emphasizes basic Aikido posture, footwork, Ki development, falling and foundation techniques.

AIKI MIXED:
 The full range of Aikido technique is explored—including freestyle, counter techniques and. weapons methodology. While this class is intended for ranked Aikidoka, beginners are also welcome to attend.

AIKI WEAPONS:
This class teaches the proper handling and understanding of the Jo (wooden staff), bokken (wooden sword), and tanto (wooden knife); and how these particular weapons relate to Aikido open-band techniques. This training helps to correct Aikido posture refine musubi or contact, understand Ma-ai, or spatial awareness, and the process of creating strategic consciousness.

AIKI UKEMI:
Ukemi is the art of falling and receiving practice.  This class teaches the basic principles of falling, stressing safety, while increasing stamina and flexibility.

KI BREATHING:
This workout focuses on the inner connection between breath power and mental with physical centering. It melds the purposeful, meditative aspects of martial arts with the dynamics of aerobics.
At one time the words “breath” and “spirit” were synonymous. Changing our breathing can change our lives, increasing athletic performance, decreasing stress, and enhancing personal power and effectiveness.

IAIDO:
Iaido is the Japanese art of drawing and using the long sword. The Yagu Shinkage Ryu style taught here is heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism and emphasizes the concept of Mushin, or open mindedness.

If you want to see our schedule for the classes, just go into our links and click on our web site and go into the schedule page.

Thanks for reading!!!

-Aikikai of Philadelphia:)

Aikido techniques are normally performed after first blending with the motion of the attacker, so that the defender may redirect the attacker's momentum without directly opposing it, thus using minimum effort. This is often done with various types of throws or joint locks,resulting in aikido typically being categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.

Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Many of Ueshiba's senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today, aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with a broad range of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker.