Martial Arts Archives - Aikido of El Paso

Apr 22

Aikido: The Way of Harmony with the Spirit

By Paul Forhan El Paso TX, Martial Arts

There’s a sense of peace that tends to manifest when we exercise. Be it going for an early morning jog or bench pressing weights at the gym, we manifest a mental state of repetition that can often lead to a state of meditation. Even if we don’t actively try to achieve this state, it still occurs. You might listen to music or a podcast as you go about your workout, this sends you further into a state of oneness with your mind, body, and soul. That’s why you feel so good after working out. But if you’d like to take your workout to the next level, on a physical and spiritual level, consider partaking in aikido classes.

Aikido: The Origins

Aikido, a Japanese martial art, may seem similar to Jiu-Jitsu as it involves throws and joint locks as well as techniques similar to Kenjutsu. Unlike other popular martial art styles, aikido doesn’t focus on attacks such as punching or kicking. Instead, it focuses on using the opponent’s energy in order to control them. By using this “opposing” momentum to your advantage, you’ll be able to defend yourself. But Aikido is much more than a method of self-defense, it’s a way of life! That may sound grandiose but it’s true. Aikido can lead to self-defense, enlightenment, and peace of mind. You see, the term “aikido” can be literally translated as “the way of harmony with the spirit.” Each lesson can be used to positively impact your life, on a physical, mental, and spiritual level.

Become Part of a Positive Community

If you’re curious about this martial art, you can visit Aikido of El Paso to take a look at what you can expect from a regular day of practice. Or, you could also look up aikido on Youtube. It may seem like a choreographed dance but it’s all real. The setting of aikido is safe but everything you see is the actual use of motion and momentum to cause the opponent to become unbalanced. Achieving this degree of smooth effortlessness takes practice, of course. Once you gain knowledge of aikido, you’ll be able to use it in your daily life. It’s a force for good in the world and you’ll become a vessel for such positivity. We all have a place in nature; aikido helps us live in harmony. Give Aikido of El Paso a call today to learn more about the benefits of this martial art!

May 20

The Benefits of Enrolling Your Child in Martial Arts

By Paul Forhan El Paso TX, Martial Arts

Children are adventurous creatures who deserve outlets where they can release all of their pent-up energy and creativity. Martial arts is a great activity for children to be involved in. Not only can it help them stay in shape and maintain good health, it’s also a great way for them to channel their energy into something positive. Here are some of the benefits martial arts, such as aikido, can have on your children.

Benefit #1: Better Behavior

Kids are sweet, sweet angels—except when they’re not. Children are amazing, but sometimes they throw temper tantrums so crazy, you’re just not sure what to do. Because children are ripe with emotions and a tad on the unpredictable side, giving them a place, like an aikido class, to channel these emotions and energy is a great way to help them behave more without having to enforce punishments and strict rules.

Benefit #2: A Good Night’s Sleep Every Night

Martial arts can be quite tiring, but this is a good thing. It can help your little ones sleep better at night, sleeping through the night and falling asleep more easily at bedtime. Plus, sleeping well and feeling well-rested will help them perform better in school and feel happier.

Benefit #3: Staying Occupied

A little bit of boredom is good for a child’s imagination, but too much boredom can be a recipe for disaster. With a martial arts class in their schedule, your children can stay occupied, create goals for themselves, make new friends, and spend multiple hours a week doing something they enjoy.

Benefit #4: Learning Self Defense

A great thing about attending a martial arts class is that a child will also learn how to defend his or herself. While it hopefully doesn’t come to this, it can come in handy in tricky situations. For one, as a child grows both in mind and in a martial arts class, they will be able to discern the difference between a foe and friend. This combined with knowledge of self defense can help them in dangerous situations.

Call Aikido of El Paso Today!

If you’re looking for a great way to get your child active and to have a place where they can channel their energy, Aikido of El Paso is the place to call. We offer Aikido classes for children ages 6 to 14. Call us today to learn more about our programs!

Mar 22

The World of Martial Arts: Aikido Training Benefits the Body and Spirit

By Paul Forhan El Paso TX, Martial Arts

Unlike other forms of fighting, martial arts are generally built upon a philosophical foundation. Aikido, for instance, was crafted as a way of unifying life energy. In fact, the term “Aikido” translates to “the way of a harmonious spirit.” This is what separates aikido from other martial art forms. In fact, aikido was created as a martial art that could be used to defend oneself while protecting the attacker from injury. It is much more than a martial art, it’s the most complete form of self-defense. If you’re in the El Paso area and you’d like to learn more about aikido, visit Aikido of El Paso.

Martial Arts Benefit Your Life

In order to walk through life with a harmonious spirit, one must take every step with care and precision. It’s necessary to be safe and maintain a stable point of view. Sometimes, however, our daily lives get in the way of staying healthy and energized. This is where aikido comes into play. Martial arts are able to provide individuals with all the tools they require to defend themselves. Karate is well-known as the “empty hand” martial art while aikido is the way of combining forces in order to defend oneself without destruction.

Train Your Body and Mind

Aikido training is made up of physical and mental aspects. The physical side is diverse, made up of physical conditioning and overall fitness. A majority of aikido training is made up of throws so beginner students need to learn how to fall and roll safely. The mental aspect manifests when the student relaxes his or her mind and body even under stressful circumstances or dangerous situations. Simply put, an aikido practitioner must be able to meet attacks with confidence. In order to achieve this, the student’s mind must be in the right place.

It’s Time To Start Training!

Aikido can be practiced by children as young as 7 years old to elderly people as old as 70 and beyond. Children who begin training at an early age can train their minds to be stable and ready to face any obstacle head-on. Adults can easily put what they learn into their daily lives. It’s important, however, to train rigorously and advance in the martial art form in order to properly reap the benefits. If you’re in the Southwest area, visit Aikido of El Paso today to witness the natural power of this martial art. Contact us today to learn more about what we have to offer.