What is Aikido?
Aikido is a Japanese martial art. Aikidos most unique feature is its method of controlling attackers without causing permanent injury. An Aikidoist blends with the movements of an attacker compromising balance and directing an attacker to the ground.
Developed from techniques of the Samurai Aikido uses a combination joint locks, nerve strikes, throws, and grappling. Aikido develops the ability to manipulate body and mind of the attacker to control without injury. Aikido offers a unique system of self-defense that uses timing and movement instead of strength to overcome attacks. The ability to control attackers without injury has made the system a favorite among law enforcement.
History
Aikido was founded by a man named Morihei Ueshiba, called O Sensei (''Great Teacher''). O Sensei was born in 1883 in the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. O Sensei studied under masters in many traditional martial arts, eventually becoming an expert at a number of styles of unarmed and weapon combat. O Sensei studied religion and philosophy with the same dedication as his martial training.
The unique insight of O Sensei resulted in the evolution of the traditional aggressive martial arts into a gentle system. His new martial art was not just a method of fighting, but a means of being a better person.
O Sensei continued to practice and teach until shortly before his death at age 86.
Our School
Our school offers traditional instruction in a fun environment.
Techniques are performed in natural positions.
Defenses are practiced for use against attacks of various schools of martial arts, not just our own style, or unskilled attackers.
Weapons practice is integrated with empty handed practice to assistant in Aikido development. The jo (short staff), bokken (wooden sword), and tanto (wooden knife) are part of practice at all levels of rank.
Ki Nagare Dojo's
classes are taught at Great White Martial Arts in Wausau, WI. We are part of the Mid America
Aikido Federation (MAAF). We maintain the integrity of
our style with regular visits from Yondan (4th degree black belt)
Michael Ellefson Sensei of the Midwest Center for Movement.
Ellefson Sensei's Aikido lineage stems from his studying under the late Bill Sosa Sensei.
Sosa Sensei had been a student of Koichi Tohei Sensei and
Isao Takahas
hi Sensei, who were each students of the founder
Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei).
Wausau, WI