Living Aikido is a not for profit school based in the Ojai Valley. We are dedicated to providing a space and an opportunity for personal growth through the exploration of peace as a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual integrated practice. Aikido is a Japanese martial art (budo) developed in the 21st century, born of traditional samurai arts and open-hand jujitsu.
Budo (martial art) means "way to stop the fight." The essential difference between Aikido and other martial arts is that Aikido is explicitly and fundamentally nonviolent. The founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, realized that direct nonviolence was the best approach. Save the life and integrity of your attacker, and you will save yourself.
Budo (martial art) means "way to stop the fight." The essential difference between Aikido and other martial arts is that Aikido is explicitly and fundamentally nonviolent. The founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, realized that direct nonviolence was the best approach. Save the life and integrity of your attacker, and you will save yourself.
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These programs are overseen by Sensei Pol Stafford, and managed by Youth Instructor, Chris Lyon. We teach self-organization, connection with group and interpersonal dynamics, physical fitness, coordination, and the importance of staying connected to joy. Movement through the belt system of Aikido is based on hours of training and sincere participation.
Keiko is the word we use for practice (deep study). It means that we are not simply learning techniques for fighting (jutsu), but that we are studying ourselves and our interactions in the world using Aikido as a lens. We will find joy and massive capacity for compassion.
We will also find our meanness, our rage, and through the expansion and relaxation of Aikido techniques, work with them as skillfully as we create possibilities for peace with others.Open-hand techniques are the foundation and heart of Aikido. We bring expansive, accepting, powerful circles and lines to bear on perceived attacks, letting go of our separateness and finding conclusion.
We will also find our meanness, our rage, and through the expansion and relaxation of Aikido techniques, work with them as skillfully as we create possibilities for peace with others.Open-hand techniques are the foundation and heart of Aikido. We bring expansive, accepting, powerful circles and lines to bear on perceived attacks, letting go of our separateness and finding conclusion.
Breath is key to the practice of Aikido - it helps us find ourselves, and take in the world around us without being overwhelmed. The practice of Aikido is the practice of freedom. We keep our power so that we have the full range of human choices. Even in the face of violence or intensity, we get to choose what to do - whether we will engage or disengage, whether we will be soft or firm; how we will exercise our innate generosity.
Chris came to the dojo several years ago with a background in training with Nobu Iseri (whose dojo was across the street in Ojai from where Living Aikido is now). She told me before she started classes, "I want to get my black belt!" Every Dan presentation in our lineage is crafted by the promoter as a self-revelation: not only of martial skill but of the deep self to be witnessed and held by the community.
Reviews (1)
David W.
Jan 04, 2017
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I have trained here for a few years and it has been great with lovely welcoming and sincere people in a relaxed yet very respectful environment.
For adults: The instructors vary throughout the week so there is always something new and they are attentive to each student's needs and level. You will learn to roll, protect yourself, escape or throw an attacker, weapons (sword and jo staff), etc. Most importantly to me I think is the opportunity to cultivate within a state of mental peace, strength, and agility and then try to bring that positive energy to bear on the world.
For youth there is
For adults: The instructors vary throughout the week so there is always something new and they are attentive to each student's needs and level. You will learn to roll, protect yourself, escape or throw an attacker, weapons (sword and jo staff), etc. Most importantly to me I think is the opportunity to cultivate within a state of mental peace, strength, and agility and then try to bring that positive energy to bear on the world.
For youth there is
