Aikido Instruction & Workshops

Is Aikido right for you?

Photo: Michael Sibilia Photography

Are you interested in:

A superior and well-rounded method of physical self-defense?
A practice that involves and hones both body and mind to work together at peak effectiveness, at work or at play?
A sense of greater confidence, self-discipline, focus, and commitment to excellence in all you do?
A means of dealing with interpersonal conflicts and disagreements of all kinds, in a way that minimizes negativity and maximizes mutually beneficial, profitable outcomes?

If so, Aikido may be the martial art practice you've been looking for!

About Aikido

Aikido is a modern martial art that originated in Japan and focuses on self-defense skills which embody a sense of ethics as well as a superior level practical effectiveness. The word Aikido comprises 3 separate Japanese words: Ai, or harmony, Ki, or cosmic energy, and Do, or "The Way" (as in a "Way of Life"). Thus, Aikido literally means "The Way (of Life) in harmony with Ki". It is an example of what could be considered a "soft"-style, as opposed to a "hard"-style, martial art (such as Karate or Taekwondo).

What this means is that, in responding to an attack, a defender does not oppose the force of the attack and counterattack with an equal or greater force. Instead, the defender "yields" to the force of the attack by moving out of the way but then redirecting the attacker's energy against him, so that the attack is neutralized and the attacker immobilized.

Nihon Goshin Aikido Association in Guttenberg, New Jersey

Nihon Goshin Aikido (NGA) is an extensive and comprehensive set of scientific principles which, when mastered, can be transformed by the practitioner into a unique art form creating movements of beauty, grace and devastating power. The skills it teaches are founded in scientific principles of physics, anatomy and biomechanics. The acquisition of those skills requires a substantial physical, mental and emotional commitment by the student. The principles and techniques of NGA are derived from such forerunner arts as Judo, Ju-justu, Aiki-jujutsu and Karate. It is an extremely effective system of self-defense, and as such, can cause serious injury to an attacker.

Photo: Michael Sibilia Photography

Aikido is, however, a non-aggressive, defensive art that seeks to avoid conflict even in a threatening situation. One of its basic tenets states: "If there is no attack, there is no defense". Even in the execution of self-defense techniques, our strategy is not to resist the attack, but to move in harmony with it. Whatever an attacker gives us, we accept. We don't fight it, we "go with it". This "going with the flow" of an attack is termed, in Japanese Taisabaki, and in English, blending.

Proper blending conserves the energy of the defender and facilitates an attacker in "defeating himself". This can be critical to victory if an attacker is larger and/or stronger than you (and why many women can practice Aikido so effectively, even if they are not particularly strong for their size). Blending is the major reason why Aikido, which is considered by many to be a "soft" martial art, can still be so powerful and devastating in its effects on an attacker. In a self-defense situation, we do not want to engage in a fair fight, we want it to be an unfair fight, but unfair to our advantage. Proper blending creates just such an "unfair fight".

Blending is considered an application of the principle of aiki. The literal translation of Aiki is "harmonious energy". It implies the meeting of two or more separate "streams" of energy where these energies merge without conflict, much as two tributaries merge to form a larger river. An "aiki" response to an attack demonstrates the difference between meeting force with force and meeting force with nonresistance or yielding. The effect of an aikido technique on an attacker is no more or less destructive than the original intent of the attack. Ideally, attacking an aikido practitioner is like attacking one's reflection in a mirror. The attacker gets reflected back to him exactly what he put out, sort of like "instant karma".

However, the application of the principle of aiki goes far beyond that of responding to a physical confrontation. It comprises a very effective strategy for responding to any situation in which there is potential for conflict. By deflecting

Photo: Michael Sibilia Photography

harmful words or actions, one may avoid generating distressing emotions and simultaneously reveal the true issue underlying a conflict so that it may be addressed and resolved in a calmer, more rational and objective manner. Thus, the application of the principles of aiki to any type of interpersonal conflict or negotiation provides a superior means of creating more "win-win" outcomes. Because when anybody loses, nobody really wins. Achieving a goal at the expense of the anger, resentment and vindictiveness of others leads only to the need to be constantly on guard against acts of revenge. And that guardedness is a waste of energy that could be much more positively and productively utilized, by everyone concerned.

This being the case, the study of aikido becomes more than just a physical exercise or a means to defend oneself. It imparts a philosophy of living and interacting with others that can significantly improve one's relationships and success at work or play, with family, friends and strangers alike. It is just this spiritual benefit of aikido that has kept me involved in its practice and teaching since 1983, and will hold my interest and devotion for the remainder of my life.

Since 1988, the year I was promoted to the rank of Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) I have been a senior instructor at the Aikido School of Self Defense in Middletown, New York, under the supervision of my instructor, Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. I also train under the direct supervision of Shihan Richard A. Bowe, U.S. Director of the Nihon Goshin Aikido Association in Guttenberg, New Jersey. I was promoted to the rank of Ni-Dan (Second Degree Black Belt) in 1996, and to the rank of San-Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) in 2003. Currently, I and a group of the senior instructors at the Middletown dojo are completing the soon-to-be-published book Nihon Goshin Aikido: The Art and Science of Self-Defense.

In September of 2006, I relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and am now teaching Nihon Goshin Aikido in the Fort Lauderdale area at 1520 S. Federal Highway (U.S. 1) at the corner of S.E. 16th Street (U.S. Taido Karate School). Please call me at 954-729-1220 for more information or to schedule an appointment to observe a class. I am also available for private lessons at the Fort Lauderdale location. Please contact me if you are interested.

I also conduct workshops that can either focus solely on the martial arts principles of aikido or be an integration of demonstrative physical techniques and application of the aiki principles to personal, business / organizational, and athletic pursuits to enhance optimal performance in life and work arenas.

If you are interested in a workshop at any location in the United States or foreign countries, please contact me.

Contact me for more information.