Al - agreement, oneness, harmony

Ki - environment, nature or spirit of the universe

DO - road, path, or way of life

The way of life through harmony with the spirit of the universe

Aikido is a defensive martial art, evolved from traditional Japanese budo.

Martial arts utilize a structured methodology for managing physical confrontations. Historically, wherever there have been people, there have been martial arts. The culture of the people, plus the physical/political environment of their times shape the structure and methods employed in their arts, as well as the types of confrontations involved in training.

Several hundred years ago, Japan was a heavily militarized, feudal society with a rigid social structure. The martial arts reflected this rigidity in the structure of the arts themselves, and in a strict ettiquette within the places of study (called a 'dojo'). Additionally, the training was primarily devoted to surviving, with honor, the military battles of the time. These arts and their codes of honor became known as 'budo'. As Japan changed, budo evolved. Around the turn of the century, many Japanese martial artists recognized that 'martial' proficiency had declined in importance, while character development and personal competence in the world became increasingly more important as motivation for training. This 'revolution' in martial arts was reflected in the changing of old arts and the creation of new. Morihei Ueshiba, with the creation of Aikido from aiki-jujutsu, was one of the great figures of that time. A deeply religious man, O-Sensei (venerable teacher) devoted the last thirty years of his life to teaching and developing the art, leaving behind a corps of masters.

When the main stem of a growing plant is cut, frequently the branches continue and expand far beyond the obvious potential of the early growth. Following O-Sensei's death, many of the masters chose to start their own styles, reflecting different approaches by unique individuals. Aikido has grown throughout the world and now blossoms virtually everywhere. In 1953 Master Koichi Tohei, the leader of the Shinshin Toitsu style of Aikido and its related Ki Society International, introduced the art to the United States in Hawaii.

'Ki style' Aikido has two distinct characteristics:

1. There are no attacks or counter-attacks. Aikido technique arises only through response and interaction with an attack. Via calm, flowing usually gentle circular motions, blending with the activity of the attack, the hostility is dissipated, turned back on itself, or immobilized.
2. An emphasis on the relationship between the totality of our being and our effectiveness in the world. Everyone has experienced the difficulties involved in working or studying when our mind is 'elsewhere' (like at the beach). During training we discover how to utilize as much of ourselves as possible in any process. It is difficult to be gentle and flowing in our movements when our ,spirit' wants to attack and destroy.

Aikido can be an extremely effective tool for 'self-defense', and many people are attracted to the art for that reason. Most people train, however, because of the vast difference it has made in the quality of their lives. Increased health, happiness, personal growth, greater acceptance of one's self and others, more and better interaction/effectiveness in the world, friends and fellow seekers are all a part of the Aikido experience and the primary motivation for continued study.