AGATSU AIKIDO

"Aikido is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished."

Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido

Born in 1883, Morihei Ueshiba is credited as the founder of Aikido. A legendary martial artist of Japanese traditional kenjutsu (sword fighting techniques), Ueshiba combined the use of body and joint techniques, as well as sword, stick, and spear techniques to develop the martial arts style known today as Aikido.

The name Aikido is composed of three Japanese words: ai, meaning harmony; ki, spirit or energy; and do, the path, the system, or the way. Aikido is the way of the spirit of harmony. Ueshiba also espoused the principle of agatsu, or "Self victory." According to the founder, true victory MASAKATSU is the victory one achieves over oneself AGATSU. Thus one of the founder's "slogans" was MASAKATSU AGATSU -- "The true victory of self-mastery."

Martial arts are studied for self-defense and self-improvement, but Aikido is different from other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to achieve self-defense without injury to the attackers. The basic movements of Aikido are circular in nature; most attacks are linear. The Aikidoist harmonizes with, rather than confronting, an aggressive attack and converts it into a circular motion that renders attackers helpless. Then, instead of using potentially crippling kicks or punches, students of Aikido train to apply various wristlocks, arm pins, or unbalancing throws to neutralize aggressors without serious injury.

Training involves physical, mental, spiritual and ethical disciplines. It includes empty hand techniques, sword, stick, and knife defenses. Unique among martial arts, Aikido minimizes the need to maintain control of situations.

Grand Master Ik Ahm Yoon, President of the Korean Aikido Federation, has taught the Korean Military Forces and the Korean Police Academy as well as the American Eighth Army Division in Korea. Author of numerous books on Aikido, he is a student of Kobayashi Yasuo, with more than 43 years experience in the martial arts.

USTC offers classes in Aikido (for Adults and teenagers) on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Click here for specific times and schedule .