Introduction
There are many martial arts in the Colorado Springs area that a student could choose to study. There are several Aikido schools in the region. Traditional Aikido of Colorado Springs is the only Aikido dojo in the Colorado Springs region that teaches Traditional, or Iwama-Ryu, Aikido. This post describes some of the ways in which Aikido can benefit long term students. We also discuss some specific benefits derived from studying Iwama style Aikido.
Self Defense
Many people begin studying Martial Arts as a way of cultivating self defense skills. The phrase “self defense” means many different things to different people. Whatever your reason for wanting to develop personal defense skills, Aikido provides a solid and effective foundation. Regular study of Aikido will help develop excellent balance and body-awareness. Aikido studies, in depth, the application of and defense against strikes, grabs, chokes, joint locks and throws. Aikido also focuses on the development and understanding of body structure and efficient and powerful body movement. As an Aikido student progresses, their awareness of their surroundings and their self-confidence improves. Traditional, or Iwama-style, Aikido strives to retain the martial intent of Morihei Ueshiba’s Aikido. We incorporate strikes, or Atemi, into almost all of our techniques. We focus on developing a strong foundation.
Defending Against Falls…
An often overlooked aspect of self-defense is the ability to fall safely. The average person, over the course of a lifetime, is far more likely to sustain serious injury from a fall, than to find themselves in a “street fight” situation. Therefore, the ability to protect yourself from long term, and possibly life altering, injury due to a fall is as important as any other aspect of self defense. Aikido students are taught to fall safely. As students progress they develop the ability to fall comfortably and safely under severely compromised conditions.
Aikido training is accessible to everyone. Classes are tailored to the capabilities of the individuals on the mat. Aikido study isn’t focused on winning trophies, or learning a subset of techniques that are based on “ring rules”. The focus of Aikido training is on challenging and improving your self. Training is cooperative. Students assist each other with building skills that progress toward proficiency. Furthermore, both older and younger students, of all walks of life, can find both mental and physical challenges (and rewards) on the mat!
Personal Development
There is an obvious goal of achieving proficiency in any Martial Art, especially an art that is both complex and rewarding. In addition to accomplishments on the mat, regular Aikido practitioners often experience an enhanced sense of focus in their lives outside of the dojo. This sense of focus often evolves into a broader sense of being more centered in, and aware of, the world around you. Given the rigors and stresses of modern daily life, the dojo offers a place where an individual can practice setting aside their lives for a few hours, to focus on something with tangible, and well defined, goals. Many students experience Aikido as a rare activity that seems to add more time to your weekly time budget.
Sense of Community
Aikido practice brings together a group of people sharing a common goal. Practice is friendly and cooperative, and the focus is on helping each other improve. Friendships, sometimes lifelong, develop out of Aikido practice.
Cross-Cultural Experience
The regular practice of Aikido involves a degree of exposure to and learning about Japanese culture. Serious study of Aikido requires that you change your mindset regularly, and engage in the study of Budo with other like-minded individuals. Throughout long term Aikido study, you’ll have opportunities to study with people from all walks of life. Aikido also has a rich history, rooted in Martial traditions that originated in the 9th Century.
Wellness/Wellbeing
There is nothing more amazing than finding yourself at a point in your Aikido studies where you can be sincerely thrown, really hard, and enjoy the throw. Aikido students work cooperatively toward improving strength, flexibility, and sensitivity/connectedness. The benefits of sustained Aikido practice include improved mobility, coordination, strength and balance. Many students experience an enhanced sense of connectedness to the world around them.
Traditional, or Iwama-style, Aikido includes over 500 basic techniques, or Kihon Waza. In addition to “empty hand” techniques, we incorporate regular weapons practice (bukiwaza). Bukiwaza includes both solo and paired practice, using sword (ken) and staff (jo). The combined taijutsu/bukiwaza curriculum presents both mental and physical challenges for students of all ages!
Invitation
Aikido is a powerful and effective martial art, that can be practiced for a lifetime. If you have an interest in either learning more about Aikido or joining us on the mat, please feel free to contact us. Visitors are welcome to observe during any of our classes. You will be warmly welcomed!
