The latest issue of Bucks County AikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy." Journal "Enso" is now available online. Click here to download.

June 8th-13th: Birankai Summer Camp

“Study the teaching of the pine tree, the bamboo, and the plum blossom. The pine is evergreen, firmly rooted, and venerable. The bamboo is strong, resilient, and unbreakable. The plum blossom is hardy, fragant, and elegant.”

Morihei UeshibaThe founder of Aikido (dec 14, 1883 - apr 26, 1969), also known as O'sensei

(Guest post by Greg Regan) My journey in AikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy." started in college. It was the fall of 2003 and my friend had just started taking classes and talked about it incessantly. One night, in the middle of a quiet suburban street, I asked him to put his money where his mouth was and show me something. He said, “Grab my wrist,” and so I did. Next thing I knew I was bent over backwards and about to be thrown down on the pavement. I would later recognize this as ShihonageFour-direction throw (applied at wrist) (1st pillar of Aikido). By January of 2004 I began to attend classes 5 days a week and could not stop thinking about it. At work, while on the phone in my cubicle, I would stand up and go through the motions of different techniques. I was certifiably crazy about Aikido. This condition has persisted and I believe there is no cure.

I have been struggling with one problem, which is the essential reason for my daily AikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy." practice, since I started my Aikido journey one year ago. Those old views are still very clear just like yesterday: I was so stiff that my partner could not finish up the technique, I was very nervous when I was rolling and even got an injury from a forward roll, I denied taking break falls and always lost the KiSpirit; life force; vital energy; strength; sensitivity (chinese = "chi") connection from my partner. I was really confused and suffering during that period. “Aikido is martial art, don’t think about it when you are lost, just do it with your body,” said by Lyons senseiTeacher; anyone who gives guidance along the way; literally "born before", repeated in my mind. So I just grabbed this only correct thing: stick with daily practice.