As a purely defensive art Aikido uses an attacker’s energy and momentum to defeat the attack. Aikido does not rely on forceful blocking, punching, kicking, or physical dominance. Since it does not require strength or size, Aikido can be mastered by all, regardless of size or gender.

Rather than confronting and overpowering an attacker’s energy, the Aikido student evades the attack, blends with it, deflects and redirects it and the attacker ends up on the floor. The techniques themselves are fluid and graceful. The resulting throws are impressive.

As you develop your throwing and rolling / falling skills, your footwork, balance, awareness, and reflexes improve. Since one of the most important skills in your Aikido training is the ability to both roll and fall safely, Aikido students can avoid serious injury when a fall does occur.

In addition, Aikido helps you to develop your body / mind / spirit connection. It builds your confidence and improves your total awareness of people, space, and time. Aikido’s natural movements help you to develop a relaxed body, a calm mind, and a powerful spirit. Training in Aikido for a few hours each week can have a dramatic effect on how you handle stress and your life as a whole.

Through our regular practice, we move toward greater wholeness in ourselves. We gain more respect for both our weaknesses and strengths, as well as for our training partners. Our compassion for all life deepens. Through Aikido training you develop mastery of life’s many challenges. For most people, everyday scenarios can be daunting. For the Aikido practitioner they are opportunities to apply these skills.

We train to defend against physical attacks, but most people have not been in a fight in their adult lives and never will. But learning to cope with ordinary stress is tremendously valuable in daily life. It doesn’t help to lose your cool when handling the pressures of work, family, finances and society. Through Aikido you can learn the patience, calmness, and strength to deal with life’s responsibilities.

Aikido is non-competitive. This engenders cooperation, mentoring, generosity and supportive interaction.

Above all, Aikido is fun. It is a chance to use, expand, and challenge your mind and body. Turn off the cell phone, the television, the radio, the computer, and explore and improve the greatest asset you have… Yourself.

Learning something new stimulates brain cells at any age. The benefits to older people, both physically and mentally are tremendous. At Philadelphia Aikido, we stress that Aikido is for everyone and understand that each student needs to work at his or her own pace. Our instructors and fellow students are happy to work with anyone who is willing to step onto the mat as long as they bring a positive attitude and a desire to learn.

Aikido for Kids

Children from age 8 are permitted to train with the adults. This works out surprisingly well – less monkey-business and more learning. The children gain confidence, self-discipline, respect for others and self-defense for themselves, all the while stretching the limits of their minds and bodies.

Students over 50

As we age, Aikido can offer numerous benefits. Not the least of which is the ability to fall safely. Most Aikido students will never be involved in a fight or physical confrontation, but they are prepared for one. However, most Aikido students have at some point suffered potentially damaging falls. Part of Aikido practice is training in the art of falling safely. This study is called Ukemi.

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