Introduction to Aikido
8-Week Beginner Series
September 10 – October 29 • Tuesdays, 6:00–7:00pm • $120
We will start slow and easy while exploring the concepts, movements, and relationships of Aikido.
New Class: Beginning Weapons
Jyo (staff) & Bokken (sword)
Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00
Coming in January: Aikido for Kids
Wednesdays 4:45–5:45
See below for more information.
Aikido
Aikido is a modern form of budo (Japanese martial way of self refinement) combining vigorous physical training with spiritual discipline. Aikido cannot be learned intellectually, but must be understood through physical training, unifying body and mind, self and other. Its cooperative nature allows us to execute technique in a more dynamic and safe way than is possible in a competitive situation. Aikido’s inclusiveness transcends boundaries of age, gender, race, culture, religion and class.
Rigorous training at Siskiyou Aikikai is conducted under the direction of Chief Instructor Darrell Bluhm, 7th dan, Shihan. We are a member dojo of Birankai North America and affiliated with Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan.
Aikido Promotes
- • Responsiveness
- • Whole-Body Coordination
- • Fluidity of Movement
- • Grounded-ness
- • Strength of Presence
- • Creative Resolution of Conflict
- • Mutual Trust with Training Partners
- • Awareness of Surroundings
- • Comfort with Falling
- • Refinement of Balance
Mike S. practices Suwari Waza Ikkyo with Cindy Eggers Sensei.
Aikido Principles
Aikido is often promoted as an art of self defense. While Aikido contains all the elements of attack and defense necessary for self defense, its method of practice embodies deeply ethical principles directed towards cultivating caring, responsible and responsive people.
Aikido techniques are based on blending with an opponent’s energy of aggression or attack, rather than meeting it head-on and in-kind. Using physics—body positioning, body mechanics, momentum, circular flow, and leverage—the aikdo practitioner’s goal is to neutralize and dispel aggressive force without escalating conflict or injuring their practice partner.
Their partner’s goal is to provide honest and committed “attack” and integrity of interaction throughout the movement, while learning both to receive the technique being practiced, and to fall without injury.
In this way, both partners take turns to hone their martial abilities. Aikido differs from many martial arts in that, even as beginners, students get to experience a partner’s intention, momentum, strength, and point of balance to foster authentic interactions.
Bluhm Sensei executes a throw with a jyo (staff).
Aikido Weapons
New Class: Beginning Weapons
Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00
Aikido weapons training reveals the martial roots of our practice. Our training includes bokken (wooden sword), jyo (staff), or tanto (knife), and Iai Batto-Ho (art of drawing and cutting with a sword).
Weapons practice develops martial spirit in its solo and partner forms by honing:
- • Intensity of Focus
- • Precision of Timing & Distance
- • Sensitivity of Contact
- • Connection to the Earth
Learn more about Iai Batto-Ho (Japanese sword practice) classes here:
Eggers Sensei and Monica M. practice with bokken (wooden swords).
Learn more about Iai Batto-Ho (Japanese sword practice) classes here:
Aikido Kids
Aikido for Kids
Currently postponed until further notice.
Contact us to be put on a wait list.
10 weeks for $120.
Age 8 and up. Aikido is wonderful for kids! Besides all the same benefits that adults receive, children are especially receptive to Aikido’s alternative approach to facing conflict. While kids find enjoyment in Aikido’s movements—the turning, tumbling and falling—they also benefit from the opportunities for personal growth (flexible bodies and flexible minds!). Children’s classes are age-appropriate and sensitive to growing bodies.
Aikido benefits for kids include:
- • Self-Confidence
- • Increased Focus
- • Respect for Others
- • Engagement with Challenge
- • Moving!
- • Finding Stillness!
Kids Class is fun, challenging, and self-building.
Aikido History & Lineage
Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). O-Sensei (great teacher) combined his life study of martial, philosophical and spiritual disciplines with his personal genius to create a form of budo dedicated to the protection of life. He wrote, “True budo is a work of love. It is a work of giving life to all beings and not killing and struggling with each other… Aikido is the realization of love.”
Siskiyou Aikikai’s chief instructor Darrell Bluhm was a primary student of T.K. Chiba Sensei, who was, in turn, a student of the Aikido Founder. In 1981, Chiba Sensei moved from Japan to San Diego, California, where he established his own school, San Diego Aikikai, and in time took on the leadership of the Western Region of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF).
In January of 2000, Chiba Sensei officially formed Birankai International, an Aikido community that now includes nine country organizations, including Birankai North America. He held the post of Technical Director of Birankai North America until his retirement in 2010. Chiba Sensei passed away on June 5, 2015.
Darrell Bluhm began his Aikido training in 1970 as a student at UC Santa Cruz. In 1973 he spent two months living at the Iwama dojo in Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, training with M. Saito Shihan, as well as time training at Hombu dojo (Aikido World Headquarters) in Tokyo. In 1981 he became a student of T.K. Chiba Shihan and a founding member and assistant instructor of San Diego Aikikai. In 1983 he founded Siskiyou Aikikai in Ashland, Oregon where he has taught Aikido and Tai Chi Chuan for the past 39 years. In 2002 Bluhm was awarded Shihan title by Chiba Sensei, and in 2006 received Shihan recognition from Doshu M. Ueshiba at Hombu Dojo, followed by 7th dan promotion in 2017. He serves as a member of the Senior Council of Birankai North America.
Siskiyou Aikikai maintains an active and ongoing membership in Birankai North America, joining over 40 other dojos to continue the tradition and evolution of Aikido with the highest integrity and respect to its founder and pioneers.
O-Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido.
T.K. Chiba Shihan, 8th dan, Birankai founder.
Learn more about Birankai North America at their web site:
Learn more about Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan at their web site:
Chief Instructor Darrell Bluhm practices Aiki-Ken with student Monica M. Video © Michael Singer