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Aikido: "The Art of Peace"

Aikido is a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba ("O-Sensei"), developed throughout the 1920's and 1930's stemming from Daito-ryu juijitsu. Ueshiba Sensei referred to his system under varying names before it became widely know as Aikido in 1942. The movements and techniques of Aikido are derived from the many traditional Japanese martial arts studied by O-Sensei in his long years of practice. These include Kenjutsu (Japanese sword work) and Daito-ryu Aiki-jiu-jutsu. Where Karate and Tae Kwon Do are "hard" martial arts, Aikido is often considered a "soft" martial art, which focuses on using an opponent's strength and aggression against themselves.

"Budō is not the felling of an opponent by force; nor is it a tool to lead the world to destruction with arms. True Budō is to accept the spirit of the universe, keep the peace of the world, correctly produce, protect and cultivate all beings in nature."

Tenshin Aikido

Aikido has many expressions, ranging from slow-deliberate movements (think Tai Chi) to almost-acrobatic techniques. All these expressions derive from two main sources: the Aikido organization itself, and each instructor's interpretation.

What has always distinguished Tenshin (Tenjin) Aikido - and in particular, Taka Sensei's school of Aikido - is its efficiency and practicality. Tenshin Aikido is uniquely focused on dealing with single and multiple attackers using Aikido's minimalist technique. Where many Aikido schools view Aikido as a metaphor for life, Tenshin dojos put that metaphor into action. The only official Tenshin Aikido dojo in the midwest is Three Rivers Aikido.

Three Rivers Aikido Dojo

Three Rivers (in Japanese, "San Kawa") Dojo is a first generation dojo under the direction of Master Steven Seagal. Three Rivers Aikido has been serving Saint Louis residents of all ages - 6 years old, to our oldest member at 73 - for more than a quarter of a century. Martial arts dojos often draw from the expertise of only one instructor. One of the greatest strengths of TRA is its diversity of instructors. It has always been a tradition for Three Rivers Aikido black belts to pass on the instruction they have received.

Dojo Etiquette

In a dojo, there is a certain air of politeness. This is a very Japanese concept, and stems from a sense of profound respect for one's teachers, training space, and training partners. An important thing to remember about training at Three Rivers Aikido is to maintain a high level of respect at all times. Use the proper polite greetings (see vocabulary list HERE), bow at appropriate times, never speak out of turn, don't use foul/vulgar language anywhere near the dojo, and so-forth.

For a complete list of dojo etiquette, click HERE.

You don't need to memorize these guidelines, and you won't be expected to know them all right away - but they're here for reference. Everyone violates a few of them on occasion, particularly when the atmosphere in the dojo is playful, rather than studious. However, always remind yourself of where you are and what you're trying to accomplish. Remember to be respectful, and the rest is easy to pick up. Whatever the rules may be, respect is the basis for them - and respect is expected. Always.