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Philosophy At the Aikido School of Self-Defense, our standard of excellence is held in high regard by all who train. We believe that hard work, coupled with discipline, will get the job done - regardless of the duty. We maintain a strict obligation to the Art by constantly seeking an advanced level of skill and remaining true to the ideals of the founder. Our search for value from training is attainable from a clear understanding of the Art and its intended purpose of developing compassionate, rational, coherent individuals that are mindful of their needs and the needs of others. (Classical budo discloses its meaning only to those who are dedicated and who exert their minds and bodies in rigorous training.) Each one of our students has a willingness to excel in life and see others excel as well. Life can be full of negativism. There are no negative aspects to the training regime, and there will never be any! We believe that if better is possible, good is not enough! The Warrior's Code of Ethics is earnestly maintained in our dojo! Politics, anyone? Well not in our dojo. You can leave politics, as well as your shoes, at the door. The politics of associations are not allowed in our dojo, thus students can attend to the training at hand in a more relaxed environment, confident that their time is well spent. The student is our agenda! Helping you - the student - improve your outlook on life and to deal with everyday encumbrances. We provide an atmosphere of positive input, realistic defensive techniques, and a strong emphasis on safety. We try our best to bring out the best in ourselves and others. Failure is not in our vocabulary. Etiquette At our dojo, we bestow high respect upon the Art, our fellow students, and our sensei. The virtues of reverence and mutual respect are integral parts of our dojo's operation. If you are interested in how this manifests itself in our training regime, we suggest you come and watch a class in person! Fees You will find stark contrast with how we run our dojo and the ways most other dojos operate. There is a one-time initial sign-up fee of $30.00, you can choose to purchase a uniform (gi) through us for $35.00 (this is the only equipment needed), and you must pay our monthly fee of $90.00 for adults, or $80.00 for children, and/or $50 for iaido (samurai sword training). You will not be charged for anything else. We do not charge for testing. Testing Students are tested on:
There are no handouts at our dojo. All students work hard to achieve the next level. It will take between 6-10 years to achieve the 1st degree black belt (Shodan) in our school, if a student trains regularly at home, has a good attendance record, and maintains the attitude of a beginner - a thirst for more knowledge and skill! Effectiveness in free-style sparring (randori) must also be demonstrated. Students will be tested on their ability to move freely and spontaneously apply defensive techniques for a period of 20 minutes. The requirements are strict and disciplined and a high standard of martial prowess must be met mentally and physically if a student wishes to progress in our school. The warrior path is a narrow one. Lineage The father of Nihon Goshin Aikido was Morita Sensei. Richard Bowe Sensei studied under Morita while stationed in Hokkaido during the late fifties and is the only American to have ever received his Black Belt under Morita. Bowe Sensei opened his dojo in Guttenburg, NJ in September of 1963. Steven Weber Sensei began his training under Bowe in 1969 and in May of 1980 opened a dojo in Spartanburg, SC. Joe Beckham Sensei began his training on August 16, 1980 under Weber Sensei and opened the Greenville, SC dojo on March 22, 1985. It has been in business ever since and continues to thrive. |
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