Canoga Aiki-en ~ A satellite dojo of Finger Lakes Aikido

Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art the modern form of which was developed during the early 20th century by Ueshiba Morihei O’Sensei.

The techniques which form the basis of modern Aikido are derived from centuries old tactics developed by Samurai warriors. Aikido is the only purely defensive martial art. Rather than meeting violence with reciprocal violence, the Aikidoist learns to evade and redirect the power of the attack, resulting in the attacker being unbalanced and either projected (thrown) or immobilized. Thus, it is the

attacker’s own force and momentum which neutralize his aggression. Because of this principle of “active non-resistance,” Aikido can be effectively performed even against larger, stronger attackers. At the higher levels of the art, it is equally effective against multiple attackers. Aikido is not a sport or a game. There are no tournaments or competitions. Rather, practice is conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and co-operation. Aikido has been proven to be an effective means of self defense and it's techniques form the basis of many police “control and restraint” tactics. It is also distinguished by a highly developed moral code which seeks to protect the assailant while simultaneously neutralizing his will and ability to attack. Beyond being merely a form of self protection, Aikido is a method of personal development which teaches the practitioner secrets of balance and character which enhance all aspects of daily life. "In settling in Iwama the Founder had in mind three plans to realize his ideal of a true budo. First was to establish an Aiki Shrine that would symbolize the Way of ai-ki and the spirit of aikido. Second was to construct an outdoor dojo permeated with the ki of nature where the ideal budo of take-musu could be taught. Third was to realize his cherished dream of unifying agriculture with martial art... to relate the budo training (take) that harmonizes with the protective life force (musu) to the work of farming through which the earth produces life-sustaining food" (K. Ueshiba, 1984, The Spirit of Aikido, p. 102). Canoga Creek Aiki-En is a satellite dojo of Finger Lakes Aikido (FLA) in Ithaca (NY) and, through this connection, affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation (USAF). The dojo is located at Canoga Creek Farms & Cellars, overlooking the north end of Cayuga Lake in the beautiful Finger Lakes wine country of upstate New York. Our rustic and spacious 19th century barn houses an indoor aikido practice space of over 20 tatami, as well as an additional wood floored area for weapons practice and exercise. We also have outdoor practice spaces including a creek-side area and a lake-side area. Aikido for children, and family oriented Aikido, is our priority. Very basic aikido practice is the norm. The goal of the founders of Canoga Aiki-En is to explore O-Sensei's explicit connection of farming and nature with aikido. We hope to do this through daily practice and devotion to living in harmony with the land. Aikido instruction is carefully overseen by Larry E. Bieri Sensei, 7th Dan of Finger Lakes Aikido with help from FLA Assistant Instructors and the Instructors from the Cornell Aikido Club. Visiting USAF members are welcome to join us in our training or to utilize the dojo for open practice. Though there is no fee, assistance with farm or conservation chores is appreciated.

02/23/2021

Goodbye Sensei...

08/23/2016

Aikido performance by Morihei Ueshiba in 1960 合気道 I had the privilege of visiting the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, in his dojo in Tokyo in 1960. Also present were his son Kisshomaru and grandson Morit...

04/20/2016

Saito Sensei posted this sign in his Iwama Dojo around 1987 / 1988. O Sensei taught essentially the same thing many times.

04/08/2016

A message from Yamada Sensei:

This year is a special summer camp, with not only me and Osawa Sensei teaching, but also the first visit to the USAF by Mitsuteru Ueshiba, Waka Sensei who is the next generation of leadership at Aikikai.

With this in mind, I approached this year's schedule with a similar idea by offering the non-Technical Committee classes to only shidoin. This will give the next generation and our future leaders and instructors a chance to teach a class. It also introduces my idea of having a camp schedule that is more flexible, with everyone taking turns from year to year.

Years ago the USAF had very few people who were qualified so it made sense that we had the same people teaching each year. But now there are so many capable people, and we need to support them and provide them with the same opportunities. If someone is not on the schedule this year, it does not mean they won’t return. It’s simply a way to give others a chance as well. Thank you for supporting the USAF summer camp.

04/07/2016

Our teacher --

Sensei [ official trailer ] Life story of Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei, 50 years in New York by Dream Jar Films

03/16/2015

The origin and purpose of solo practice in Aikido In my previous article, I discussed the fact that we, as aikidoka, we spend most of our time practicing with a partner within the framework of katageiko.[1] One could therefore be forgiven for thinking that in this context, the collective and soci...

03/13/2015

My teacher...

One Aikido - Katagiri Sensei Katagiri Sensei demonstrating a shihonage variation.

03/12/2015

Many of us benefited greatly from knowing her, but especially, Charlotte and Victoria. We will be burning incense in her memory when the dojo opens at the Vernal Equinox.

Sioux Hall, Shihan – In memoriam The United States Aikido Federation (USAF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to spreading and maintaining the Japanese martial art of Aikido.

01/23/2015

I am happy that my whole family has benefited from this man's teaching...

12/24/2014

A meditation at Christmas from an interview with Shoji Nishio Sensei by Stanley Pranin

Mr. Tohei went to Hawaii in 1953. On his return, he brought back a leather coat which was impossible to obtain at that time in Japan. It had fringes like the ones you see in western movies. He had a leather coat when it was impossible even to obtain leather shoes… I really thought it was amazing. Then, that coat was skillfully stolen. That was what had happened when I turned up for training. I saw that all of the uchideshi had been made to sit in seiza and Mr. Tohei was shouting something. Then I heard that Tohei Sensei’s coat had been stolen. At that time Mr. Noguchi, Mr. Genta Okumura and Mr. Sunadomari were some of the uchideshi. Then O-Sensei appeared asking, “What’s up?” When Mr. Sunadomari explained what had happened O-Sensei responded: “Oh, it was stolen, was it?” (Laughter) Then he came into the dojo. Tohei Sensei also sat in seiza because O-Sensei entered. O-Sensei started to walk around them. We were really wondering what he was going to say. What he said was: “You’re the one to blame, Tohei.” Then, he disappeared. Tohei sat silently for a while. Then he, too, disappeared. Everybody was relieved and started training. (Laughter) After practice, I was leaving for home and ran into O-Sensei who was on his way to the bathroom. I went up to him and said, “O-Sensei!”. He said, “Ooh!” I asked, “A few minutes ago when Tohei Sensei had his coat stolen, you said he was the one at fault. Why did you say that?” He answered, “Don’t you understand why? Those who practice budo shouldn't have that kind of spirit (kokoro). One shouldn’t show off things which people desire to have. You can show off things you can give, but otherwise you shouldn't. Poor man, he took the coat because he wanted it. However, by taking it, he became a thief. It’s all right to have the coat stolen, but he was made a thief. Stealing is a bad thing, but the man whose coat was stolen committed the original sin. He created the occasion for an opening (suki) in the man. As a budoka (martial artist), that’s bad.”