As college students, we can all feel the stress stretching our patience, making us irritable or less productive. What students might not know about is a stress-relieving martial arts course offered at Eastern Michigan University called Aikido.
The Aikido Club and courses are overseen by Danny Kline, who is known as the dojo-cho, or chief instructor. There are several reasons to take this course or get involved in the Aikido club at EMU, one of which is effective stress management.
“I believe Aikido offers a third alternative to either killing or being killed,” Kline said. “An end to violence without using violence.”
Self-defense is focused on during this course, particularly defending oneself against weapons or multiple attackers. Students will learn striking skills and basic weapons training.
Aikido not only focus on defense and striking tactics. Ki, or energy body, exercises and meditative breathing exercises are also used to increase center-building and calm.
Originating in Japan, Aikido branched off from jujitsu, using sword and open-hand fighting as defense.
“We employ a number of joint-locks, throws and strikes like many other martial arts with a focused emphasis on blending and receiving the opponent’s energy unique to Aikido,” Kline said.
Aikido calls for discipline, respect and level-headedness in a conflict. Rather than trying to “destroy” an opponent, the goal of those practicing Aikido is to correct the actions of attacking opponents.
“This aspect requires more effort and dedication than settling for a smaller
victory of carelessly damaging another,” Kline said. Those who attack senselessly or for unknown reasons are seen as deluded by those who practice Aikido.
The most similar branch of martial arts is Daito-ryu. This is odd because the goal of Daito-ryu is to harm or even kill an opponent. However, there are similarities in the structure of each type of martial arts.
This course is open to any EMU student, meets twice a week for 50 minutes, and is worth one credit hour. Normally, there are 10 to 15 people in one class.
“It is rare to find a practice that nourishes all parts of a human being, let alone one whose objective is actualizing world peace,” Kline said. “Aikido offers a way to ‘turn the other cheek’ without being helpless in a conflict.”
No matter your skill level or experience with self defense or martial arts, you have the chance to learn something new in this course. Students can learn a way to use exercise for stress relief, especially during the winter.
Physical movement and meditation are two options for people that struggle with seasonal depression or lethargy; Aikido is an interesting way to get exercise while earning credit toward a degree.
“Often called ‘moving zen,’ Aikido literally translates to ‘the way of spiritual harmony,’ describing the founder’s goal of creating a martial art that embodies peaceful resolution at its core,” Kline said.
There are benefits to those who learn Aikido that go beyond attacking others or defending oneself effectively. The mindful portion of this course calls for each student to meditate and reflect on their own thoughts.
Because there is a focus on energy, meditation is an influence on the course. A connection established with an opponent is thought to allow fighters to strike and defend more aptly.
For those who would like to become involved with the club, Kline is also the faculty instructor. He should be contacted if you are interested in learning Aikido.
The Aikido group is directly affiliated with Aikido World Headquarters, or Hombu Dojo, in Tokyo, Japan through the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. If you would like to learn more about this type of martial arts, further information can be found on www.michigan-aikido.com
