Berkshire Hills-Ryu Aikido Charter

Mission

Recognize and develop Ki through the coordination of mind and body,

Develop strong self-defense skills through dedicated practice and study,

Integrate these skills into our daily lives and seek to share our knowledge with others we encounter on our path through life,

Encourage students to adopt Aikido training and philosophy as a way of life,

Allow students to progress at their own pace. Safety and enjoyment in practice are of paramount importance.

Core Principle

The core principle of Berkshire Hills-Ryu Aikido is the concept of the Continuous and Returning Center. As we practice our self-defense techniques, we seek to identify with the center that is common to both uke (attacker) and nage (defender). When the common center is correctly perceived, great power and stability is the result. The linking of our individual centers with the common center to form a unified whole is a manifestation of Ki energy. The practitioner’s ability to feel and control the center (extend ki), forms the basis of powerful, effective self-defense technique. The internalization of the notion that this common center is continuous and ever returning is the goal of our practice.

Training Method

Our teaching philosophy revolves around the idea that Aikido is best experienced from the inside out. Each student has the living principles of Aikido as part of his or her innate nature. It is the instructor’s job to help the student realize the nature of and explore the depths of these principles. Your purpose as a student is to be open to the emergence of Aikido as a natural part of your life process, realize your full potential through dedicated study and hard practice and apply what you learn to your daily life.