AIKIDO: The Way of Harmony

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What is Aikido?
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that teaches practitioners to neutralize aggression through harmony of movement and precise timing. It originates from an ancient Samurai form of unarmed combat. Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba during the early part of the 20th century. The techniques of Aikido are designed so that students can protect themselves and, to some extent, protect their attackers by neutralizing their aggression.
Aikido is an extremely effective self-defence art that is both non-competitive and non-aggressive. It does not meet force with resistance or brute strength. Instead, it redirects an aggressor’s force with well-timed, flowing, circular movements. In this way, rather than relying on one’s strength to overpower an attacker, their own movements and momentum are utilized to compromise their balance and stability. Once they are unbalanced, the attacker is subdued or dealt with through a wide range of joint locks, pins or throws.

Although Aikido itself is considered a modern martial art, it has roots and traditions that are extremely old. Today, this deep history continues to be studied and maintained and this brings traditional Japanese insights to today’s students. In Aikido there are no competitions, no tournaments and no trophies to win. On a physical level the focus is on self-protection rather than fighting. On a personal level the focus is on achieving victory over oneself rather than victory over an opponent.

Yoshinkan Aikido
Yoshinkan Aikido was established by Gozo Shioda in the late 1950s. Gozo Shioda was one of Ueshiba sensei’s principal students during the 1930s and following World War II. The name “Yoshinkan” literally means “Hall for the Cultivation of Spirit.” When Shioda established his own dojo, he named it “Yoshinkan”. He took this name from the dojo originally built by his father, a physician, who wanted to improve both the physical and the spiritual health of local children. The Yoshinkan style is currently the second largest aikido organization worldwide.


Yoshinkan Aikido is occasionally referred to as the “hard” style because of its exacting training methodology. This approach is the product of the pre-war period of Aikido’s development when Shioda was a direct student of the art’s founder. It involves two partners practicing pre-arranged techniques in a precise manner. By practicing this way over and over again, the foundation of the techniques and the basic principles that underpin them are perfected. This has proven to be a very practical approach that allows students to acquire skill at a faster pace than other Aikido styles.
In Yoshinkan Aikido there are six fundamental training movements (called Basic Movements) and roughly 150 common defensive techniques (called Basic Techniques) which are practiced in depth. Mastering these basics equips students with the fundamental skills required to execute the remaining techniques, which are thought to total around 3000.
It is important to understand that Yoshinkan Aikido is not a sport. It is the cooperative and focussed development of both physical and mental dexterity. It involves incredibly powerful and practical self-defence techniques which can be performed by anyone regardless of size, gender or race. In this type of training there are no competitions and no feelings of winning or losing.
In today’s day and age, traditional Yoshinkan Aikido training also offers students a unique method of developing mental awareness, greater powers of concentration and increased capabilities for dealing with stressful situations.

Yoshinkan Aikido At The Takahashi Dojo

Takahashi Dojo offers authentic world-class instruction in Yoshinkan Aikido. Our focus is on teaching ADULTS and YOUNG ADULTS of all skill levels — from beginner through intermediate to advanced. Our Yoshinkan Aikido club is affiliated with Aikido Yoshinkan Canada under the direction of Takeshi Kimeda sensei (9th dan AYF), the most senior teacher of Yoshinkan Aikido in the world. Our chief instructor, Hans de Groot (4th dan AYF), is a direct student of Kimeda sensei and is Japan-certified. The aim of de Groot sensei is to provide correct instruction in Yoshinkan Aikido and to help students realize the many physical and mental benefits of the art. We are dedicated to helping you build a strong mind and body through the study of Yoshinkan Aikido. As a member of the dojo, you will learn powerful and effective self-defence techniques in a respectful, non-aggressive, and non-competitive environment. These are the same techniques that are taught to the Tokyo Riot police. The training method employed at the Takahashi Dojo emphasizes learning how to achieve your personal goals without negatively impacting others. As you gain confidence and skill in the techniques, you will find that you are developing a sense of centered calm — an even approach to daily life that will in turn help you to cope in today’s stressful world. This confidence is an important benefit of modern martial arts training.
Schedule:

Training at the Yoshinkan Headquarters Dojo in Tokyo, Japan

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Training at the Takahashi Dojo, Ottawa ON

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