Aikido of Maine

Chief Instructors: Gary Small, 5th Dan
Ania Small, 4th Dan

Instructors
Gary Small is a 5th dan (godan) in Aikido. Gary began his martial arts and Aikido training in 1973. In 1988, he joined Shobu Aikido of Boston under the direction of William Gleason sensei. He is part of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan’s teacher training program at the Aiki shrine in Florida and travels to many Aikido seminars and camps to continue his training as a teacher and student of Aikido.

Prior to his move to Maine, he ran a sporting goods sales and marketing company covering the six New England states. This work helped facilitate the family move to Maine and establishment of Aikido of Maine, which had been a key goal for the family.

Ania Small is a yondan (4th dan) in Aikido. She began her Aikido training in Warsaw, Poland in 1983. In 1990, Ania joined Shobu Aikido of Boston. Ania also studies with Saotome at the Aiki Shrine in Florida and Ikeda sensei and other teachers at camps and seminars.

History
Aikido has its origins in the centuries-old traditions of the Japanese martial arts. It is a form of budo, a way of life that seeks to polish the self through a blend of rigorous physical training and spiritual discipline.Aikido is a modern Japanese Budo (martial art). Judo, kendo (swordsmanship), Karate-do, Kyudo (archery) are examples of Budo. Properly understood, all are disciplines that use martial training as a means of character development. Ai Ki Do translates as Ai- universal love, joining, unifying, Ki - life-force energy, Do - path or way. Literally, Budo is “ The martial way of life”.

The term aikido was coined in 1942 by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), who had spent many years practicing traditional martial arts, including the techniques of the sword, spear, and staff. Master Ueshiba became known as one of the most powerful warriors in Japan, but after a while he began to have doubts concerning the apparent rationale of the martial arts. The arts appeared to be directed solely toward the goal of fighting, regardless of the costs or consequences. It seemed a never-ending cycle of winning and losing, where the strongest today would be defeated tomorrow by someone even stronger.

To resolve his concerns regarding the martial arts and understand his world better, Master Ueshiba became immersed in the practice of Omoto Kyo, a Shinto based spiritual group focused on Kotodama and various spiritual and philosophical disciplines.

Eventually he came to believe that the true meaning of the martial arts was to protect. He concluded that every living creature has the inherent right to grow and develop without interference and that the mission of the martial arts was to safeguard this right and to forestall destructive conflicts. This spirit of protection extended even to an aggressor. The martial arts of the time were unsuitable for this. What was needed was a new martial art. The time came when Master Ueshiba was able to reconcile and synthesize his physical skills with his spiritual understanding.

Mission
The Vision of the founders of Aikido of Maine is to build a dojo and Aikido practice that provides the following key elements:

- Solid instruction in the principles of Aikido: our aim is to provide solid instruction in technique while looking into the spiritual aspects of the art beyond the physical technique alone.

- Vigorous training: our practice is vigorous and energetic. At the same time we provide instruction so that new students learn how to fall safely and take care of themselves. We hope to provide a safe environment that is conducive to the joyful practice of Aikido.

- Creating the dojo as a place to polish the self and grow.

- Encourage a community atmosphere: it is our desire to have a dojo where our members support and encourage each other. We hope to introduce the dojo members to the extended world Aikido community.

- To practice this Japanese martial art and honor the traditions behind it's ancient roots in an American context. It is our feeling that keeping some of the formal Japanese and Shinto symbols (such as bowing to our partners, sitting while receiving instruction, following the senior/junior system etc.) as part of the practice helps with the tone and framework of training.

- To provide an excellent children's program. The aim is to provide excellent instruction in the movement of Aikido and the philosophy behind the art. Youth members will develop coordination, flexibility, self-esteem and respect for themselves and others.

TRAINING LOCATION
 
Directions To This Location

Aikido of Maine
226 Anderson Street
Portland, ME 04101

Telephone: 207- 879-9207

Homepage: http://www.aikidoofmaine.com

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