What is Aikido? Aikido is a Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba who is often referred to as O-Sensei (Great Teacher). By combining throws, pins and joint locks, Aikido can be a potentially devastating martial art. When practicing Aikido, we throw and pin our training partners, but the heart of the practice is actually joining with the attacker’s movement, harmonizing and coming to a resolution of the conflict without the necessity to maim or kill. O-Sensei felt the need to integrate his martial skills with a philosophy of non-violence. As a result, a new martial art was created in which intellectual principles of non-violence could be studied and experienced physically. As students continue their study of Aikido, they discover the simple principles of movement, balance and psychology that make the techniques work. Through training, students see that the goal is to become the technique – losing one’s identity for the moment. Because Aikido has no competition or tournaments, students practice at a level that is safe for them. Over time, students learn to take high-level falls in an extremely safe way. Today, Aikido is taught in many countries around the world and it has become highly standardized. Aikido of Nassau County belongs to the United States Aikido Federation and is recognized for the excellence of its instructors and the quality of its student’s training.