To Move As A Shadow:

Richmond, VA From Japan to Richmond the Aikido of Suenaka-Ha Dojo is a growing family of martial art students.

Richmond, VA From Japan to Richmond the Aikido of Suenaka HA Dojo is a growing family of martial art students.

RICHMOND, VA Jan 5th Aikido of Suenaka Ha Richmond (www.aikidorichmond.com), a member of the Charleston SC based Wadokai (Peaceful Way Society) founded by Roy Y. Suenaka is a different kind of dojo. Nestled in the back of an office park near the Brandermill area of Midlothian you will find the aikido dojo. Away from strip malls and the eyes of passers by lies the family style dojo of Aikido of

Suenaka HA Richmond where everyone is welcome regardless of age, sex, or level of physical fitness. Head instructor Sensei McClure states that "We allow every student to create their own space and to train at their own comfort level." All that is required to study Suenaka Ha Aikido is a sincere desire to learn.

What is Aikido?

The word 'Aikido' consists of three Japanese characters: Ai – love, harmony, Ki – spirit, universal energy, Do - the Way. It may be translated as: "the Way of spiritual harmony" or "the Way of harmony with universal energy" or "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or "the Way of the harmonious spirit." Depending on your preference, either would be correct.

For the beginner, Aikido is essentially a modern manifestation of the Japanese martial arts. It combines the spiritual and martial tradition of ancient Japan with its essential nature being to provide an effective method of self-defense while inflicting only as much harm to an attacker as is determined to be necessary. Simplistically understated, the tactical efficiency and power of these self-defense techniques are accomplished by blending with the motion or energy of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it directly. This requires very little physical energy as the aikidoka (practioner of aikido), harmoniously blends with the aggressive movements of an attacker, while trapping and controlling the balance of the attacker, then executing diverse joint locks and/or dynamic throws to neutralize the attack. Aikido could be classified under the general umbrella of grappling arts. The effectiveness of aikido is neither physical or spiritual, it is both.

The study of Aikido is similar to the Japenese philosophy of "Kaizen" which emphasizes continuous improvement throughout all aspects of life. Though it is generally a principle applied to the work environment, with its focus concentrated on improving all functions of a business operation, it can be equally applied to the study of Suenaka Aikido. The underlying principle of Kaizen focuses on eliminating waste. Our study of aikido as it relates to the martial aspects of self-defense, concentrates on the never ending quest of refining the basics and developing greater efficiency with movement and execution. These can only be accomplished with time, patience, repetition, a committed attitude of sincerity toward learning, and the most important ingredient – a dojo that nurtures the individual with encouragement and support. After-all, we are truly family at Suenaka-Ha Richmond."