Aikido Kokikai Orange County

Aikido keeps you on your toes!

Masakatsu agatsu - true victory is victory over oneself. This has long been one of my favorite aikido principles, and now I have it inscribed on a bokken as a constant reminder. 🥰🥋

Be the center of the circle, the eye of the storm.

There's something so joyful about taking a fall and surrendering to the knowledge that your body knows what to do to keep you safe. 🥰🥋

Try a class to learn safe, joyful falling!

Congrats Missy on a beautiful 6th kyu test! Every blackbelt comes from someone who was once a white belt. 🥋😁💪

Please join me next week when my dojo Aikido Kokikai Orange County hosts a women's self-defense seminar Sunday morning! Defenses will focus on escapes from unwanted touching, as well as building skills like situational awareness.

The cost is $20/person, by cash, check, or Zelle, and if you decide to join our dojo for longer-term practice, that fee can go towards your first class purchase.

I am passionate about empowering other women to move through the world with more confidence! No fitness requirements beyond basic mobility. Bring a water bottle!

Another great Fall Camp with my Kokikai family! One of the stand-out moments for me was Rick Berry Sensei (8th dan) saying that all of our teachers believe in us, so the least we can do is believe in ourselves. 😊🥋🥰

Today is "World Kindness Day". So what does a martial art have to say about that? One of the most attractive aspects of Aikido is its capacity for a graduated response within every technique. With a striking art you either hit and hit hard or they don't get the message. The nature of Aikido allows us to put someone down gently, firmly, with authority, or with guarantees they are out of the fight, and anywhere in between. Drunk buddy gets out of hand at a party? Ok, we can remove the threat without ending friendships or worse. Are you all that is standing between harm and a loved one? We got that too. All while using the same techniques which is hugely important. Your instincts and muscle memory still work the same. What changes is their energy and the energy you add or remove. We can dial that in to be appropriate for the situation.

Aikido Kokikai® requires that techniques must have a non-injurious option without compromising effectiveness when needed. It leaves open the door for kindness and mercy yet still be "effective" when needed without malice in our hearts. Sensei often says "the throw is the result" of Aikido, not its aim.