Aikido In Fredericksburg

Instructor: Aviv Goldsmith, 4th Dan

Aikido In Fredericksburg was founded as a not for profit corporation to expand on the mission of the Fredericksburg Aikido Club which was founded in 1993 by Dwight Petersen Sensei, then a 1st degree blackbelt.  In 2002, Aviv Goldsmith Sensei moved to the area after being the senior instructor at Reno Aikido Co-Op and became the Club's Chief Instructor.  Aviv Sensei is a 4th degree blackbelt instructor and holds teaching certification in Aiki-weapons (wooden sword and staff).  He has trained as uchi-deshi (senior student in residence) under M. Saito Sensei at the Iwama Dojo in Japan, where Aikido was developed.  Saito Sensei trained with O'Sensei for 23 years. The school is a member of the Takemusu Aikido Association and is affiliated with and Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters) and the Iwama Tanrenkan Dojo in Japan.   Aikido in Fredericksburg seeks to be an educational resource for Aikido in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area and works with other dojos around the country.

The dojo offers many classes each week, open to Aikido students of all levels.  The class schedule will be expanding, so please tell Aviv Sensei if there is another time that meets your scheduling needs. Beginners should be prepared to commit to at least three months of training to get a feel for the art. Students pay low monthly dues for access to classes -- train as often as your scheule allows. There is a one-time enrollment fee equal to one month's dues. Discounted enrollment packages are also available that offer reduced dues for advance payment.  If you are interested in enrolling, please see one of the instructors.  Visitors are welcome at all classes.

What is Aikido
The word Aikido in Japanese is made up of three characters, called kanji. The first and most important is "AI", which means "to meet, to come together, to harmonize". The second kanji is "KI", which means "energy, spirit, mind". The third and last character is "DO", which means "the way of". When put together these three kanji, "AI-KI-DO", mean "the way of harmonizing with the spirit of the universe". O'Sensei describes how he chose this name for his martial art:

"One who has gained the secret of Aikido has the universe in himself. He is never defeated, however fast the enemy may attack. It is not because his technique is faster than that of the enemy. It is not a question of speed or strength. The fight is over before it is begun."

Aikido practice done correctly is strenuous but not violent, demanding but not rough. Class begins with warm-up exercises and stretches to relax and prepare the body for partner practice. Warm-ups generally end with ukemi (correct falling) including forward and backward rolls. Ukemi permits each student to practice Aikido with confidence and safety. The instructor then starts by demonstrating a technique to be applied against a certain attack. The class divides into pairs, and each partner alternates being uke and nage (attacker and defender). Both partners depend on each other to safely and smoothly complete each technique. In this way confidence and fluid, continuous movement is developed. There should be no struggling or resistance in the encounter. Each partner should become conscious of his/her own level of ability and that of his/her partners and should strive to improve that level with each class. Every class includes several different techniques to give the student an opportunity to look at the attach-defense experience differently. As students advance, the number of techniques, including practice with wooden sword and staff, and the level of difficulty is increased.

Training Location

 
Directions To This Location
 

Fredericksburg Aikido Club
a non-profit educational organization
4006 Leonard Drive, #B5
Spotsylvania, VA  22408

Phone: 540-455-3378

Email:

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