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About Kokikai Aikido

"Aikido Kokikai is a way to develop greater inner peace, unify your mind and body, help you to be more calm and relaxed, realize your full potential, and enjoy life to the fullest. It just happens to be disguised as a martial art."

Truer words have not been spoken. As an almost three-year practitioner of Kokikai Aikido, I can say that its greatest secret is that it helps you grow as a person. Serenity of mind and thoughtful action are essential to a harmonious life. In an age where information is processed at levels to confound the mind, having an activity that focuses your energy in advancing both your physical and mental capabilities is hardly commonplace.

So what exactly is this thing called Aikido? Truly an effective martial art and easily applicable because it does not rely on speed, strength, age, size, or weight for its success. It relies on your own internal mind/body state and it relies on the fact that, when someone attacks another human being, that attacker has broken some unwritten universal law, and has thereby made himself vulnerable. We focus to expose that vulerability and neutralize the threat while refraining from doing harm to the opponent.

We take trips to see Shuji Maruyama-sensei, founder of Kokikai Aikido. At 5'7, 135lbs, it would be almost impossible to belive it if i said this man was the founder of such a calm yet powerful martial art like Kokikai Aikido. Seeing him in action not only illustrates the acme of excellence in technique but also offers a visual insight into our motto: "Minimum effort; maximum effect". Maruyama Sensei holds with the softest touch imagineable, he moves with exquisite effortlessness, and he can throw with devastating power or great gentleness. These trips are enjoyable as well as enlightening because we have a chance to interact with students from all over the east coast and other places around and outside the US.

Our senseis, Dick Davidson and Art Hohmuth, are 20+ year students in this profound martial art. Graduating students who were members of Kokikai Aikido go on to receive higher ranks and return to teach some if not many of our classes. Many friendships were started in Aikido through common interests or simply the fact that we saw each other twice a week for two hours at least. For all those who want a new and refreshing experience, welcome to TCNJ's Kokikai Aikido. I hope you come to enjoy it as much as I have!

~Lloyd Woods, acting president of Kokikai Aikido 2008-2009