About Roe Jan Aikido

Roe Jan Aikido is a chartered Berkshire Hills–Ryu Aikido dojo created with the intention of bringing aikido to the Roeliff Jansen Community.

Dora Filanowska Sensei, owner of Roe Jan Aikido, holds the rank of third degree black belt and is certified by Berkshire Hills Aikido as a Senior Instructor. She began aikido classes eleven years ago in 1994. While looking for an activity for her 8 year old son, Dora tried an aikido class. She was totally captivated and her practice with Ron Ragusa Sensei and Mary Eastland Sensei continues today.

Aikido training is a great mental and physical workout. At Roe Jan Aikido we develop strong self-defense skills as well as share the beauty and fun in practicing aikido. We train in a relaxed atmosphere where students are encouraged to progress at their own pace. Safety and enjoyment in practice are of paramount importance.

Aikido

Aikido is a non-competitive Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba over the period of the 1930s to the 1960s. The word, Aikido, can be translated as “the way of spiritual harmony”.

Aikido incorporates a wide range of techniques which use principles of energy and motion to redirect, neutralize and control attackers. At its highest level, aikido can be used to defend oneself without causing serious injury to either the aggressor or the defender. If performed correctly, size and strength are not important for efficiency of the techniques.

Training is done through mutual technique, where the focus is on entering and blending (harmonizing) with the attack, not on sparring or competing with the attacker’s power. Weapons training in aikido consists of jo (short-staff), bokken (sword) and tanto (knife).

Aikido is a practice for the development of mind and body. This martial art does not require physical strength or aggressive spirit but develops flexibility, coordination, balance and quick reaction. Come to class for a good workout and at the same time, have fun!