Aikido is a relatively new Japanese martial art. It was created in the first half of this century by Morehei Ueshiba, who was a master in swordmanship and jujitsu. Aikido uses the attacker's motion against the attacker by unbalancing him and then either throwing the person or applying an immobilizing arm lock. Aikido movements are circular in nature; an attack is never blocked but rather redirected. Aikido has the potential to be both gentle or deadly, depending on how the techniques are applied. Since brute strength is not required, Aikido can be practiced by men and women of any age or body type. To see what aikido is like, take a look at these videos .

I started my aikido training at Park Street Aikikai in New Haven, Ct. in 1980, under the direction of Yamada Sensei. I have studied at the New England Aikikai under Kanai Sensei since 1983. Mr. Kanai is one of the original students of Ueshiba, having studied with him in the 1950's and 1960's. Mr. Kanai was sent to Boston in 1966 from Aikido World headquarters in Tokyo. In 1990, I tested for for shodan, two days before my son was born. This is a video of Kanai Sensei in action. Mr. Kanai has published a video tape: "Technical Aikido", demonstrating the fine points of basic stances, movement and falling. I am currently studying at the Framingham Aikikai under one of Kanai sensei's top students: Dave Halprin. I am one of the original members of the Framingham Aikikai, when it opened in 2000. I teach the Friday evening class at Framingham Aikikai. On 6 December 2008, I tested for Sandan at Framingham Aikikai, my final aikido test.

I have recently made some mats, so I can practice in my basement. I have started to teach my children some aikido basics such as ukemi (falling), ikkyo, shihonage, etc. I would be interested in hearing from other people who are teaching children martial arts.

Here are some links to on-line videos of O Sensei

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iehh1a40IZI&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h-oguFi-zg&mode=related&search=

My Aikido Journal

I am working on a wiki for Aikido which will contain a description of techniques I have learned. Here are some initial pages:

What is Aikido

Aikido FAQ

Etiquette

Glossary

Test Requirements

Aikido Online

Aikido East

3D aikido

San Francisco Aikikai

Aikiweb wiki

Aikido Faq

Aikibatto

http://www.cup.com/kobayashi-dojo/english/index.html

Kobayashi Book

Jiyushinkan

Saito Sensei pictures

Still photos and newsletters

Aikido pronunciation

Golden Triangle Aikido

Golden Triangle Aikido new page

Aikido girl

Some favorite dojos I have trained at and their websites:

New England Aikikai is where I originally trained under Kanai Sensei

Framingham Aikikai is where I currently train under Dave Halprin

New York Aikikai is Yamada Sensei's dojo

Halls aikido is where I train when I visit the Oklahoma City area

I'm working on a wiki for him --> http://demotricity.pbwiki.com/

3 Shapes aikido is where I trained when I was working in Boise, Idaho

Mt Pleasant Aikido is Alan Jackson's school in the Charleston, SC area.

Moving Center aikido is where I would train when I used to visit Port Hueneme CA on business

http://home.twcny.rr.com/aikidocny/ - is where I train when I visit Syracuse

Two Rivers Aikikai - is operated by 2 old friends of mine

TMI in Medway

My friend Yasu Itoh's dojo

Woburn aikikai

Aikido email list - private

Chiba Sensei

Remember: Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, BUT, rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW - What a Ride !

Dave with Kanai Sensei

Yours truly