Overview

Introduction

The word Aikido can be translated as “The Way of Coordinated Energy.” Aikido is a modern Budo or Martial Way. Its origins are based in the samurai traditions of ancient Japan. This Budo employs an array of throwing, joint-manipulation and striking techniques that can be used to neutralise any form of aggression. Central to the philosophy of this art is the concept of avoiding conflict where possible and controlling conflict when necessary via the use of an integrated and coordinated mind and body. The Aikido ideal is to control and stop conflict at or before the instant it appears, minimizing the need to injure or destroy the aggressor.

Through the course of training, the fear-driven response to destroy anything that is perceived as a threat is slowly replaced by a sense of connectedness with oneself and by extension, ones aggressor. The result is the acquired skill, tactics and confidence to effectively deal with conflict while reducing the internal urge to continue the circle of violence by injuring ones attacker or worse.

Fundamental to this paradigm is the philosophical edict of “Mu Shin Mu Gamae” or “No-Mind, No-Attitude / Posture”. This means that the mind/body is held in a still, “empty” state when faced with danger or conflict, unafraid and unfettered, maintaining inner and outer stillness, adapting and taking form only when and where needed depending on the direction and power of the aggression. Through this approach one develops the skill to instantly find the ideal way to utilize the aggressive force and to ultimately negate or control it without continuing the violence if possible.

About Shodokan Aikido

Shodokan is a style of Aikido created by Shihan Kenji Tomiki, the first 8th Dan under O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. This style is also known as Aikido Kyogi (Sport Aikido).

Tomiki Shihan was also a highly skilled exponent (8th Dan) of Kodokan Judo under its founder Jigoro Kano . As such, Tomiki created a system of Aikido training that included free-play or randori that included resistance to develop it into a sporting style much like Judo.

The idea behind this sort of “competitive” randori (which is almost unique in the world of Aikido) is to allow practitioners to adapt and refine the techniques and skills learnt in cooperative kata training so that they work under the stress of a skillfully resisting opponent who will utilize his free will to fight back. This is the Aikido taught at the Mushinkan Dojo. Randori also allows a practitioner to employ the potentially dangerous techniques in a controlled, yet dynamic manner, and at full speed. This is one of the Aikido styles that is more suited to the needs of self-defence as the techniques are constantly refined and tested for competition as well as practical applications.

Weaponry

Weaponry is also part of our practice, utilising Tanto (knife), Bokken (wooden samurai sword) and Jo (4 ½ foot staff) techniques and kata. Weapons practice includes use of the weapon, methods of taking away the weapon from an opponent and retaining the weapon when it is in ones possession.

Instructor Info

The Mushinkan Dojo is affiliated with the Japan Aikido Association and the J.A.A/U.S.A. The dojo was founded in 2008 by Larry Camejo (3rd Dan), a direct student of Fumiaki Shishida, 8th Dan, Director of the Japan Aikido Association and Shihan of the Waseda University Aikido Club (Tomiki Shihan’s first dojo). Sensei Camejo started Aikido in 1994 under Jerome Chin Aleong (4th Dan) in the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. Sensei Chin Aleong has trained at the Shodokan Hombu in Japan under the Technical Director of the J.A.A., Shihan Tetsuro Nariyama. He has also competed successfully there and internationally. Sensei Camejo's dojo in Trinidad is still operational, run by his senior students. He is one of the pioneers of Shodokan Aikido in both Canada and the Caribbean.

The Benefits of Aikido

Fitness

The benefits of Aikido are various and wide-ranging. On the physical level it helps one to develop mind/body co-ordination and serves to promote development of balance, powerful, agile movement, reflexes and timing through the practice of fundamental footwork and body handling. It also serves to improve overall circulation and respiration, a direct result of its deep abdominal breathing exercises which are also a part of every technique. The aerobic and anaerobic benefits of free practice (randori) also help to tone the body on a muscular and cardiovascular level. Training, especially with weapons also serves to improve posture and overall musculoskeletal alignment. As a result of these elements, Aikido training also acts as a supplement to an individual’s training in practically any other sporting activity that benefits from enhanced coordination and balance.

Personal Safety

One of Aikido’s benefits is that of acquired self-protection skills. By utilising practical techniques of footwork, timing and the disruption of an attacker’s mental and physical balance, Aikido applies basic laws of Physics and Psychology to stop, redirect or control aggression. The redirected force of an aggressor is physically manifested in a variety of throws, locks and pins applied to the joints, limbs and other areas of the body. Atemi, or striking of anatomical weak points are also used. Through the use of techniques that co-ordinate all of one’s physical and mental energy it also allows for effective self-protection without necessitating excesses of physical strength, making this art ideal for practice by both sexes and all ages. The reason for this is that all techniques are applied using the power of the united, whole body instead of isolated muscle groups.

Stress Relief and Mind/Body Coordination

On the psychological level, Aikido, like other forms of exercise, provides proven outlets for accumulated “mental debris” or stress. As a practice centred on the reduction or elimination of mental and physical tensions, the usually good-humoured atmosphere of an Aikido dojo often shocks the newcomer who is accustomed to the often tense, rigidly controlled atmosphere typical of the practice of many other martial arts. Also, since Aikido techniques involve reading an attacker’s body language, intent and posture well in advance of a physical attack, it develops ones abilities in non-verbal communication and intuition. In this case, the “mind” of the attacker is seen well before the attack is launched, providing the opportunity to take Sen (initiative) and disarm the attack before it is launched and end the conflict before it even starts.

Philosophy of Non-violence

The Philosophy that is central to Aikido training also has many benefits that pervade the depths of one’s being. It provides one with an alternative perspective to the “kill or be killed" or "win/lose" dichotomy that has become so prevalent in modern life. The Aikido approach to conflict and human interaction teaches one to empathise with others, re-frame what may initially be perceived as an attack and redirect its force by removing ones own ego and emotions from the path of the attacker (Mu Shin Mu Gamae). At the same time it teaches one to maintain an unassailable mental and physical state so that even if we are attacked, we can take the necessary steps to reconcile the conflict while not exposing ourself to injury in the process.

In reality Aikido teaches the depths of interpersonal communication and relationships as expressed through conflict so that ultimately we can put an end to conflict by deeply understanding how it works and taking control of the role we play in creating and perpetuating it.