The History of Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art that was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Japan. He is known by aikido practicioners as O'Sensei. His name, translated means 'Abundant Peace'. Fittingly named because of the level of spirituality that he had reached, he is known as one of the greatest martial artists to have ever walked the earth. He had a very different vision for the way of the warrior, and developed the art into an incredibly effective form of self-defense that neutralizes an attack without causing serious injury to the attacker.

Ueshiba founded Aikido in the mid-1920's with elements of judo, jujitsu and the samurai arts, although this art goes beyond physical technique. Its principles teach one how to live, how to blend, and how to maintain constant adjustments in one's life. For many, Aikido is an unending source of self-awareness. The fluidity and freedom of movement are factors that distinguish Aikido from other martial arts, while the intent behind the movements is non-aggressive and non-violent. Some describe Aikido as a moving meditation, and each movement becomes a purification of the spirit.

Shudokan Aikido Association in South Texas and Northern Mexico

We are proud to be students of our primary teacher Hiroshi Kato Shihan. Kato Sensei is a direct student of O'Sensei Morihei Usehiba. Kato Sensei began his aikido career in 1954. We are members of the Shudokan Aikido Association and satellite dojos of the Suginami Aikikai in Tokyo, Japan. Through Suginami Aikikai, Shudokan dojos relate to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters) in Japan and our black belt certificates bear the signature of Moriteru Ueshiba, the grandson of the Founder of Aikido.

Munoz Sensei and Cavazos Sensei both petitioned Kato Shihan to come under his direction and instruction. Since 2006, Munoz Sensei and Cavazos Sensei lead the international group of aikidoists from South Texas and Northern Mexico under the lineage of Hiroshi Kato Shihan. The South Texas and Mexican dojos have been a close knit group since the early 1990's when they were under the direction of Bill Sosa Sensei (1934-2002).

The dojos included in this group are:

Aikido Center of South Texas (Mission)

Centro de Aikido Nuevo Laredo

Centro de Aikido Mexico cede Monterrey

Shudokan Aikido de Nuevo Leon

Aikido de Cd. Valle Hermoso

Aikido of Laredo

Aikido Matamoros Center

---

Loosely translated, Aikido means "way of blending or harmonizing with energy."
There are a number of different schools of aikido throughout the world, each placing a different emphasis on various aspects of the art. Our emphais is toward the realistic continued development of aikido according to the principles established by O'Sensei, and the relevance of the art to a modern way of life. That being said, at the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of Aikido, one may identify at least two fundamental threads: a commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible and a commitment to self-improvement through Aikido training.

Aikido emphasizes evasion and circular/spiral redirection of an attacker's aggressive force into throws, pins and immobilizations as a primary strategy rather than punches and kicks.

The primary strategic foundations of Aikido are:

Moving into a position off of the line of attack

Seizing control of the attacker's balance by means of leverage and timing

Applying a throw, pin, or other sort of immobilization (such as a wrist/arm lock)

Strikes (atemi) are not absent altogether from the strategic arsenal of the Aikidoist, but their use is primarily (though not exclusively) as a means of distraction. A strike is delivered in order to provoke a reaction from the aggressor, creating a window of opportunity, facilitating the application of a throw, pin, or other immobilization.

We also train with weapons, including the jo (a staff 4 or 5 feet in length), the bokken (a wooden sword), and the tanto (a knife, usually made of wood, for safety). These weapons are used not only to teach defenses against armed attacks, but also to illustrate principles of Aikido movement, distancing, and timing.

You can reach us through Direct E-Mail or you can call us on the phone at: 956 369-6423.

Thank You for Visiting Us Online

Seminars & Special Events

Mexico / South Texas Regional Seminar
Shudokan Aikido - Monterrey
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
8-9 Agosto 2009

The Shudokan Aikido Association, Mexico / South Texas Region will host a regional seminar featuring Eliseo Munoz, Joe Cavazos and Jorge Garcia. These regional seminars are to keep the dojos of Northern Mexico and the southern tip of Texas up to date with the information gathered at the recent Shihan Hiroshi Kato seminar in Houston, Texas. All affiliations of aikido and non-aikido martial arts are welcome to attend this seminar.  The seminar is focused on advanced techniques and aspects of the Kato Sensei his particular style.  Kato Sensei was a student of the founder of aikido and has been studying this art for over 55 years.  The instructors are showing their interpretations of the art as per Kato Sensei.

Saturday schedule: 4pm - 7pm

Sunday Schedule: 9am - 12 noon

Seminar Fee: Americans: $40 USD Mexicans: $35 USD


Please bring your jo, bokken, and tanto.

Online Coupon