Aiki Kai of Orange County Inc

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Aikido means the Way of Harmony and coordination with the forces and principles of nature. Aikido is an art of self defense. Using Aikido properly, violent aggression can be neutralized swiftly and cleanly, so effective self-defense becomes possible without inflicting serious injury.
Aikido is more than a physical art. Elements of philosophy, psychology and dynamics are woven into its techniques. It is a way of life that unifies energy (ki), and strives to attain personal and universal harmony.

Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), also known as O-sensei (great teacher). He had a reputation of being virtually invincible in many traditional armed and unarmed fighting arts, including jujitsu and swordsmanship. Ueshiba was troubled with the way in which the traditional martial arts dealt with conflict. He believed that winning at someone elses expense did not represent an ultimate solution. He began to study, examine and practice movements that would lead to the development of a new and more harmonious martial art. This new martial art envisioned the right of every living creature to grow and develop in their own way. The result of O-senseis study was the birth of Aikido.

All the teachings of Aikido are a physical representation of Ueshibas philosophy of protecting all living creatures. They use the idea of dynamic harmony rather than conflict. Aikido techniques involve avoidance, control and neutralization. Movements are flowing and graceful. They reflect the fully realized potential of mind, body and spirit. One must remain relaxed and calm. Following this method, the student is able to blend with the power of the opponents attack and begin to take control.
By utilizing techniques that place the opponent in an unstable position, the student has the choice of either using a hold-down technique or throwing the opponent to neutralize the attack. These methods are practiced against various strikes and assaults from all possible directions. If you have never seen Aikido before, the following points may help your understanding and increase your enjoyment of the art:

The heart and soul of any form of martial art are the basics.
Classes progress from warm-up stretches to simple movements that demonstrate the basic principles of Aikido, which then leads to the basic techniques.
The most important thing to remember about Aikido is its principle of harmony. When watching, look out for the blending of energy. If you have ever sailed, surfed or skied, you will recognize the underlying principle immediately: Go with the flow.

* Advanced Class: 3rd kyu and above
** Zazen-Meditation for 40 minutes followed by hara training and aikido. Contact Luna Sensei to participate.
Visitors are always welcome to observe any class. Visitors to Zazen must participate. Please speak with an instructor if you have any questions.

Headed by Zitlalpilli (Pilli) Luna, Chief Instructor of Orange County Aiki Kai, our staff of instructors have an average of 16 years of practical experience and proficiency in Aikido. Each instructor is selected based on his/her years of dedication to the art, as well as their innate ability to teach and communicate. Our instructors have been exposed to a diverse background of teaching methods. They are consistently striving for personal development and achievement to share with their students.

Orange County Aiki Kai is a school (Dojo in Japanese) of Aikido and was founded by Harry Ishisaka in 1964. We are an educational foundation offering a full range of classes for both adults and children. You will find this the perfect place to feel comfortable as beginning students, but challenging as well, as you progress through the art.

Adults: Fully developed programs are offered to train all levels of students from the novice to the experienced. Fundamental classes are available weekly.
Children: Excellent junior programs are held four days a week.
A good warrior. . .does not anger, a good conqueror does not contest his enemy, one who is good at using others puts himself below them. This is called integrity without competition.. . .This is called parity with heaven.
- Tao Te Ching