Chief Instructor: Liese Klein

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." is a modern Japanese martial art that is practiced worldwide by people of all ages. Its roots are in Japanese ju-jitsu, kendo and sword arts, with influence from ZenA school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition.. The "do" in its name means Aikido is a martial path, practiced with a goal of self-transformation rather than competition. Aikido is also lots of fun and a great workout. Fire Horse Aikido offers traditional Aikido under the auspices of Birankai International with an emphasis on learning through physical training.

L. Klein SenseiTeacher; anyone who gives guidance along the way; literally "born before" has trained intensively in Aikido since 1989 and currently holds the rank of 4th dan, shidoinInstructor (senior teacher) under the direction of T.K. Chiba ShihanMaster teacher. She started Aikido in New Haven after graduating from Yale and spent four years in San Diego as a kenshusei, or martial arts trainee. From 1996 to 1999 she lived in Tokyo and trained at Aikido world headquarters, Hombu DojoPlace of the way; a place for strengthening and refinement body, mind and spirit; training hall, under the direction of K. Ueshiba DoshuHonorary title for the master of the art; the current Aikido doshu is Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of O'sensei and M. Ueshiba Doshu.

The Fire Horse appears once every 60 years in the Chinese zodiac, which combines 12 animals and five elements. Girls born in this year are considered headstrong and fierce, and recorded births of girls in Japan and China took a significant dip in the most recent Fire Horse year, 1966.