Welcome

“Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat an enemy. It is the way to reconcile the world and make human beings one family.”

Morihei Ueshiba, O Sensei

Welcome to Seattle School of Aikido! We are one of the oldest Aikido schools in Seattle and have operated continuously at the same location since 1976.

We offer a broad range of instructional influences and teaching methodologies in our Aikido classes. We are also host to Shinto Ryu, a school of Japanese swordsmanship, and Icho Ryu Aikibudo.

Our Aikido program seeks to create a culture of respect and friendliness while maintaining a seriousness of training. Students, under the guidance of instructors and senior students, learn from one another through training together. Based on a collective model, we find that through training and sharing our time together, our lives are enhanced. This is our vision of our community here at Seattle School of Aikido.

We invite you to come visit the dojo and personally share our vision and training.

Why Aikido?

Aikido can be many things to many different people. For some, it is a budo, a martial way of life. For others, it's a hobby to pass the time. For yet others, it's a means of physical fitness. Aikido, when taught by a good teacher and approached with an open mind by the student, may be all these things.

At a basic level, Aikido can benefit your physical stamina and coordination. At a higher level, since learning requires mental and emotional aspects as well, it may help to improve self-confidence and concentration. Learning concepts such as centering, grounding, posture and appropriate relaxation methods will help you to focus and stay calm in difficult situations.

Why choose Seattle School of Aikido?

Simply put, our instructors bring decades of experience to the table. As a cooperative school, we have instructors from varying backgrounds, with diverse teaching styles and multiple approaches to teaching Aikido, giving our students a well-rounded and comprehensive learning experience. Ultimately our goal is for each student to develop their own personal understanding and style.

What can I expect to learn?

Aikido, as well as other martial arts, teaches both etiquette and manners. Students learn to work together, maintain healthy boundaries, and train in a non-competitive and supportive environment. Classes are co-ed and multi-age, with senior and more experienced students mentoring newer ones. The physical techniques include instruction in falling and tumbling (known as ukemi), basic throws and restraining methods.

Finally, in learning aikido, expect to sweat, think, be frustrated at times, and learn to laugh at your own mistakes as you progress. For any martial art, you learn by making mistakes and letting go of your preconceptions as part of the process.

Sounds good, what do I do now?

We suggest you come by the dojo and watch classes taught by different instructors. This will allow you to see if you like the dojo culture and teaching style. Once enrolled, please always arrive early to class to allow time to change clothes, warm up on your own, and settle mentally prior to the start of class.

Why Aikido for your child?

Aikido can increase your child's self-confidence, concentration and coordination. Kids are taught centering, grounding, posture, and basic martial arts techniques. Classes are co-ed and multi-age, with experienced students mentoring newer ones. Children learn through traditional Aikido instruction as well as through games and exercises; classes are fun and rewarding for your child.

What will my child learn?

Aikido teaches children discipline, gratitude, a sense of personal accomplishment, and respect for themselves and others. Children learn to work together, maintain healthy boundaries, and train in a non-competitive and supportive environment. The physical techniques include instruction in falling and tumbling (ukemi), basic throws, and restraining methods found in Aikido.

Classes are open to children ages 5 to 18. Parents and guardians of potential new students must observe at least one full class prior to enrolling their child. All instructors at Seattle School of Aikido pass a background check with Washington State to ensure that your child is in good hands.

Shinto Ryu is a form of Japanese swordsmanship and Japanese cultural arts. Shinto Ryu's curriculum consists of three main sections or schools: Iai-Battojutsu, Kenbu (sword dance) and Uto (a type of poetry / chanting). Our branch in Seattle studies the Iai-Battojutsu portion of the curriculum exclusively.

Shinto Ryu training is via traditional sets of patterned movements called kata. There are solo kata and paired kata. Precision during the kata is stressed through tameshigiri (target cutting with live blades). The primary focus is on solo kata followed by tameshigiri, supported by various drills, paired forms, and some jo kata (wooden staff).

History

Shinto Ryu was formally founded in Meiji 23 (1890) by Hibino Raifu, born Hibino Masayoshi in 1864 in Kagoshima, Kyushu. Known for his extremely fast draw, Hibino Soke described his use of the sword as an extension of himself rather than a tool or weapon. In addition to his Batto/Kenjutsu, he took part in traveling shows with well-known Bujutsu teachers to promote the martial arts.

Today, Shinto Ryu is a smaller, traditionally taught art, with fewer than 150 practitioners, mostly in Japan, but also in the US, Great Britain, Korea, and South America.

Icho Ryu is the creation of Bernie Lau, a retired Seattle police officer, who felt traditional Aikido as it was practiced did not meet his needs as a police officer or serve as a self-defense system for civilians. Lau began training in 1955 under Koichi Tohei in Hilo, Hawaii, and was awarded his shodan and nidan in Japan, his ranking certificates personally signed by Morihei Ueshiba.

Icho Ryu is a fusion of Lau's training and influences in Aikido, Goju Ryu Karate, Danzan Ryu Jujutsu, modern Judo, Aikijujutsu, and practical experiences as a uniformed patrol officer and detective. In 2003, the term Aikibudo was adopted for use with Icho Ryu. In 2004, Bernie Lau officially retired and turned over responsibility for Icho Ryu to the current chief instructor, Neil Yamamoto.

Bernie's creed for Icho Ryu is simple: “Train your mind, develop your body, polish your spirit.”

Class Information

If you are interested in watching or participating in Icho Ryu classes, please contact the chief instructor for permission before coming to the dojo. Beginners classes are a three-month course with a heavy emphasis on ukemi (falling and rolling), solo exercises, and partner drills. All students interested in Icho Ryu must attend beginners' classes regardless of prior experience.

Seattle School of Aikido was founded in its current location by Mary Heiny in 1976. After studying at Hombu Dojo from 1968 to 1973 with O-Sensei's direct students and with Hikitsuchi Sensei, 10th dan, in Shingu, Heiny Sensei returned to the United States and began teaching at the University of California in Santa Cruz.

After successfully building up the Seattle school, she moved to Canada in 1986 and turned Seattle School of Aikido over to her senior students. Several of those students left to start their own dojos — Pam Cooper (1985), George Ledyard (1989), Joanne Veneziano (1991) and Kimberly Richardson (1995). Today these dojos form the core of internationally recognized Seattle Aikido.

Seattle School of Aikido incorporated in 1985 as an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution. It is managed by a volunteer board of directors who meet regularly. Since the early 1990s, the school has operated as a cooperative, with instructors having a wide breadth of martial arts experience working together to develop and implement the training program.

We suggest you come by the dojo to watch classes taught by different instructors. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the dojo during class hours.

Address	3422 NE 55th Street, Seattle, WA 98105
Phone	(405) 726-0721
Kids Program	maryheiny [at] seattleschoolofaikido [dot] org